The Origin of the Spring Festival
Chinese Spring Festival (or generally referred to as Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year globally) is the festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year based upon the traditional Chinese calendar. Equal to Christmas of the West in significance, Chinese New Year is undoubtedly the most important holiday in Chinese culture, but it originated from people’s “fear.”
The origins of the Chinese New Year celebration are centuries old and have different versions, but every version includes a story of a terrifying mythical monster preying on villagers. It is widely believed that the word “Nian” (“year” in Chinese) was first the name of a monster that preyed on villagers at the night before the beginning of a new year. It had a big mouth and would swallow many people one time, and people were extremely scared. One day, a wise old man came to help. He suggested that making loud noises with drums and firecrackers and hanging red paper cutouts on the door would drive “Nian” away because the monster was afraid of the color red. People took the advice and “Nian” was scared away.From then on, the tradition of observing the conquest of “Nian” is carried on from generation to generation to celebrate the regaining of peace and happy life. The phrase “Guo Nian”, which means “Survive the Nian” becomes what we now know “Celebrate the New Year”, since the word “Guo” in Chinese has both the meaning of “pass over” and “observe.” The custom of putting up red paper and firing firecrackers to scare away “Nian” has been well preserved.
The Celebration of the Spring Festival in China
Chinese New Year is celebrated in countries or territories all over the world where there are Chinese, including China, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and also in Chinatowns elsewhere. It is safe to say that where there are Chinese, there would be grand celebrations of Spring Festival.
In China, regional customs and traditions vary widely and greatly in terms of people’s celebration of the Chinese New Year. Generally, it is of tradition for the Chinese to make a thorough cleaning of their house, symbolically to sweep away any bad luck in the past year and make way for good incoming fortune. Doors and windows will be newly decorated with red color paper-cuts and couplets expressing “good fortune”, “happiness”, “wealth” and “longevity.” The supper on New Year’s Eve is a rather grand feast with families. Then people will tend to sit before TV or computer to watch Spring Festival Gala together.
After the eve of the Spring Festival, the first day of lunar Chinese New Year is of great importance of showing courtesy. Chinese culture is deeply influenced by Confucianism, which emphasizes manners, politeness and respect. The significance of age, status and rank is clearly shown during Chinese New Year, especially in the act of greeting and blessing called “Bainian” which literally means “to pay a New Year visit”. Generally, the younger generation will visit the eldest in the family first. In return, the grandparents or elders will give the young “hongbao” or red envelopes with lucky money. The money in red envelopes is also called “yasuiqian”, which literally “suppressing ghosts money” and refers to the “money to anchor the year”, and those means who receive a red envelope are wished another safe and peaceful year. In the past, money was mainly coins and parents would use red string to tie the coins together for children; then gradually it was wrapped in red paper and now in red envelopes. Chinese people have a preference for the red color, and consider red as the symbol of energy, good luck and happiness. Sending red envelopes is the means to have good wishes and luck. With good wishes, the elders hope that they can pass on a year of good fortune and blessings to their children.
The Visiting Customs during the Spring Festival
During the Spring Festival, paying new-year visits to extended families, relatives and friends is of great significance for Chinese from the first day to the coming of the Lantern Festival of the lunar New Year. As a matter of fact, during the Spring Festival eve or the first day of the lunar New Year, people will call directly, or send text messages or WeChat messages to their far-away relatives, friends, colleagues, etc., to express their good wishes for a Chinese New Year so as to strengthen their bonds. The first day of the lunar New Year is the time to visit the elders in the extended family or close friends or neighbors. Generally, the visit will be short and there are no formalities, because every adult has his or her own obligation to visit others and people have some actual chat and talk with each other about good wishes and what happens around, or just exchange pleasantries. The second or the third day of the lunar New Year is the time for the young couple to go to see the wife’s parents though traditions might vary in different parts of China. The couple must bring gifts for their parents and may have to travel a long way. After that, there will be more gatherings among relatives or friends and the time might not end until the Lantern Festival. The popularity of smart phone in China changes people’s way or habits of contacting others since congratulations with text and graphics via smart phone are more convenient and vivid. Sending congratulations via smart phone has gradually become the most popular way to greet people during Chinese New Year.
