New Year in China

New Year in China is completely differentand unique from any of the New Yearcelebrations made in any part of the world. It is also called as ‘The Spring Festival'. The day of New Year is celebrated on the first day of the first month of theChinese calendar. In China, there is noone fixed day of the New Year, and thusthe date changes every year.

The Chinese New Year festivities are held at the end of January or beginning of February for a period of one month. During this time, Chinese people celebrate the end of the winter season.

The celebration of the Chinese New Year is rich in tradition and full of happiness.

Preparationsbegin in December when shops are filled with people buying gifts. Buying new shoes is extremely important because it is believed that if you walk in old shoes on New Year’s Day, you will have bad luck.

People buy new red clothes, get a haircut, and clean and decorate their houses with red banners with popular themes of “happiness”, “wealth”, and “long life”

Doing so is considered to bring good luck for the New Year.

On the Eve of Chinese New Year, they have abig family supper.

Traditional dishes are pigs, ducks, chicken and sweets.

Early the next morning, children greet their parents by wishing them a healthy and happy new year, and receive money in red paper envelopes.

For the next two weeks, all shops are closed as people enjoy visiting friends and relatives

Traditional New Year's gifts are oranges, tangerines and sweets.

Last day of Chinese New Year is celebrated as Lantern Festival. Colourful lanterns are hung everywhere

In the streets a Dragon parade takes place

The dragon is very long, made of paper and painted in bright colours.

Dragons are considered good luck in China.Men stand under the dragon’s head and body.

The parade goes through the streets as people cheer and set off firecrackers.

What do you remember about New Year in China?

When do Chinese people celebrate New Year? How long?

What is traditional food for New Year family supper?

What is traditional present for Chinese children?

How is the last day of the Chinese New Year celebrated?What can you see in this picture?

What is the difference between celebrating New Year in Russia and China?