Since I started playing soccer with a bunch of Chinese guys, I've been exposed to a lot of Chinese culture. Last weekend's game was noticeably short on players, so I asked one of the regulars where everyone was. He said that many of the other regulars had traveled to China to visit family during Lunar New Year.
He explained that in China, travel leading up to Lunar New Year represents the largest seasonal human migration. This piqued my curiosity... hence this post, which I hope you find illuminating and educational.
Widely celebrated in China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam (even though
the lunar calendar originated in the Chinese culture), Lunar New Year marks the
first day of the year in the lunar calendar. Celebrations of the Lunar New Year
end on the 15th day of the first lunar month.
Each year in the lunar calendar is represented by a zodiac animal
sign in a cycle of 12: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat,
Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. 2018 is the Year of the Dog. Dog is the eleventh in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac
sign. Other “Years of the Dog” include 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982,
1994, and 2006.
The Chinese regard the dog as an auspicious animal: If a dog happens to come to
a house, it symbolizes the coming of fortune. According to Chinese legend, the
invincible God Erlang used a loyal wolfhound to help him capture monsters.
China's most
important festival falls on Friday; people travel to either return to their
hometowns or vacation destinations. Photos of crammed airport terminals, standing-room-only trains and traffic-filled highways reinforce the fact that the Lunar New Year travel rush
represents the world's largest seasonal human migration.
During Lunar New Year, celebrators usually wear red or other
brightly-colored clothes: The color red symbolizes good luck, which also acts
to scare away spirits of bad fortune (just as firecrackers would).
Like most cultures, food is an important part of the holiday. Different
dishes/food symbolize good fortune: For example, having oranges in a mound that
represents a mound of gold, or spring rolls symbolizing gold bars.
Traditionally, in the first
five days of the New Year, people eat long noodles to symbolize long life. On
the 15th and final day of the New Year, round dumplings shaped like the full
moon are shared as a sign of the family unit and of perfection.
Instead of exchanging gifts, elders give the younger generation
money in lucky packets (Lucky Money). It is believed that if the children
keep their Lucky Money from their parents under the pillow over New Year's Eve,
this translates into praying for their parents' longevity.
The typical New Year’s greeting in the subject line, above, means:
"May you come into much riches!").
Check out this daily guide for what celebrators might do each day of the Lunar New
Year.
