Lunar New Year Stories: Chinese Traditions

Beginning with the first new moon of the year, Lunar New Year starts on February 12 in 2021. The holiday is celebrated across many Asian countries and cultures and is rooted in wishes for health, good fortune, and time with family. In China, these traditions have been celebrated for thousands of years—but how did they come to be?

by Gia Hernandez

It starts with the legend of Nian. According to an ancient Chinese legend, a hideous beast named Nian (年) meaning year, secluded itself under the mountains until the new moon following the winter solstice, when it would emerge to terrorize local villages, hunting for both people and livestock. The villagers dreaded the arrival of the new moon for years, until they discovered the monster’s weaknesses: the color red, loud noises, and fire. After this discovery, the villagers equipped themselves with red attire, loud instruments such as drums and gongs, and of course, fireworks, to scare away the beast. From that point on, the arrival of the new moon became a celebration that lasted for weeks, with each day featuring a different way to celebrate the importance of being together.

Lunar New Year is associated with the Chinese lunar calendar (hence its name), the origins of which have been traced back to the 14th century B.C. during the Shang Dynasty. It is quite distinct from western calendars, as it is based on astronomical events, particularly lunar and solar phases. Because of this astronomical connection, the date of the Lunar New Year celebration varies annually.

How long the holiday is celebrated varies from country to country. In China, the holiday, also known as the Spring Festival, lasts 15 days—from the first new moon to the first full moon of the lunar month. What exactly happens during those 15 days? Following weeks of cleaning and preparation for the new year, celebrations truly begin on the night before the holiday, with New Year Eve focusing on feasting with the family, presenting lucky red envelopes to the children, and staying up late to enjoy fireworks at midnight.

The first day of Lunar New Year is called Yuan Dan (元旦) and revolves around visiting the eldest members of the family to wish them a happy new year. You’ll also see lion and dragon dances throughout the day. The next couple of days are focused on celebrating the birthdays of specific animals of the Chinese Zodiac, including the rooster on the first day, the dog on the second day, the pig on the third, the horse on the sixth, etc. This lasts until the eighth day, when another family reunion dinner is held and prayers to the Jade Emperor begin at midnight, as the ninth day is his birthday. Finally, we have the 15th day, when the Lantern Festival is celebrated as families use lanterns to guide ill spirits away from home.

With 15 days of manifesting health, good fortune, and family, this holiday is appreciated to the moon and back!

CELEBRATING WITH FOOD

Throughout Lunar New Year, special foods are eaten for symbolic reasons. The symbolism can come from how a food looks, its name, or even how it is made.

One common reason a certain food might be eaten during the holiday is because it resembles family togetherness or a plentiful stock of food, such as eating fish or chicken in their entirety. Another reason is a wish for prosperity, so many enjoy foods that resemble currency as a sign that this will bring wealth. Spring rolls and dumplings are a great example, as they resemble gold bars and ancient ingots. Another common choice are sweets, including candy, dried fruit, and sweet rice balls, as they represent a sweet life.

There are many more examples, which vary by region and by family tradition, so Lunar New Year is a great reason to explore some amazing food!