Paste paper cutouts onto the window. These elaborate cutouts usually depict scenes from rural life or Chinese mythology, and are traditionally put up on south and north facing windows. [2] X Research source Display Chinese New Year paintings and artwork. Traditionally, these contain images of health and bounty, including animals and fruit. You could include a “door god” image on your door, traditionally to fight off evil spirits and bless your house. [3] X Research source Hang up couplets as decoration. You can write spring-themed couplets yourself or buy Chinese calligraphy printed on red paper. Decorate with paper lanterns. These are made of red paper and are one of the most common decorations during Chinese New Year. Paint your door, doorframe, or window panes red for a real change of pace!
Place flowers through the house, such as lotuses. Lotus flowers symbolize rebirth and new growth. Place mandarin oranges in bowls throughout the house. Mandarins with their leaves still intact are the fruits of happiness for the New Year. Use an even number and eat in pairs for good luck. [4] X Research source Set out a tray of eight candies. Eight is a lucky number. You can use any treats for your tray, or traditional Chinese candies made from lotus seeds, longan, peanuts, coconut, red melon seed, or candied melon.
In some areas, people traditionally prepare bean curd or tofu two days after honoring the kitchen god and eat the unpleasant residue to demonstrate thrift when the Jade Emperor comes to check up on the Kitchen God’s report. You can substitute this tradition with tastier portions of tofu if you like!
Avoid wearing too much black during the celebration period. Black symbolizes bad luck and even death. This is a time of good fortune and life!
You can find the tube of fortune sticks near the entrance to the temple. Ask a question and shake the tube until a numbered stick falls out. One of the fortune tellers can interpret it for you. [5] X Research source
Many people continue to set off fireworks for the entire fifteen days, or at least the first four to eight days before they have to return to work. Expect a lot of noise and excitement if you’re living in a Chinese community! Personal fireworks are banned in some countries and regions, but you may be able to watch an official fireworks display.
Visit your family and friends often to share the New Year with them. Discuss what happened in the previous year, your plans for the coming one, and just overall enjoy your time together. Greet other celebrants with “Gong Xi,” pronounced “gōng zee” or “gohng shee”. This means “Congratulations!” Longer greetings include Gong Hei Fat Choi or Gong Xi Fa Chai in Cantonese and Mandarin Chinese respectively.
Jiu, a traditional hard liquor, and daikon, the Chinese radish, symbolize longevity. Red chilies mean good luck. Rice ensures harmony. Fish, chicken, or other small animals are often served whole and cut at the table. This reminds us of our unity and prosperity.
Any type of dumpling can play a special role during Chinese New Year because of their shape, which resembles ancient Chinese gold or silver ingots.
Any type of dumpling can play a special role during Chinese New Year because of their shape, which resembles ancient Chinese gold or silver ingots.
Cook Chinese dumplings. Use generous portions of cabbage or radish to celebrate prosperity. If you like, you can hide a coin or other object in one of the dumplings for someone lucky to find. [7] X Research source Make your own spring rolls. Spring rolls are named after the Spring Festival, so this is an excellent time to eat them![8] X Research source Serve plenty of fish. Fish are a sign of prosperity. Serve the fish whole and make enough to have leftovers – it’s good luck! Fry your own pot stickers. Pot stickers are a type of dumpling, and any dumpling is welcome at a Chinese New Year feast. Serve Chinese noodles in peanut sauce. Long, uncut noodles are another symbol of longevity and can be served with any sauce. Cook shrimp with Chinese lobster sauce. This is one example of a Chinese entrée, but there are many recipes you could use, ranging from traditional Chinese cooking to Chinese American inventions. Create decorated “tea eggs”. These have no special connection with New Year, but are a unique Chinese treat that serves as decoration and appetizer at the same time.
Remember your camera, and dress warmly if you live in an area that has to celebrate the Spring Festival in the wintertime! You’re in luck if you live near San Francisco: its annual Chinese New Year parade is said to be the largest and oldest outside of Asia.
The dragon dancers skillfully synchronize their dancing in one line, holding poles supporting a long, vibrant dragon. Dragons are common in Chinese mythology, in which they are revered symbols of the nation and people. [9] X Research source Two lion dancers share a single costume depicting a large, stylized lion. The lion is a powerful, majestic character in Chinese mythology, but the dance often includes comic elements, such as a silly monk who helps the lion track down a lettuce. [10] X Research source Both dances are accompanied by traditional Chinese drumming.
Many people write riddles onto the lantern for children to solve. Now is the time to eat traditional sweet dumplings filled with all kinds of ingredients. These are called tangyuan. Put candles up on this day to guide good spirits home.
