The Spring Festival is the most important celebration for the Chinese New Year. Although the meaning and methods of celebrating the Spring Festival have changed over time, it is still the most important festival in the Chinese tradition with a seven-day holiday. The highlight is New Year's Eve and the first day of the first lunar month. This year main celebration is on Sunday, January 22nd, 2023 with the Year of the Rabbit.
Families carry out many activities throughout the country to welcome the Spring Festival similar to Christmas' celebrations in the Western countries. For example, they clean their houses, wash their clothes and lines. The new fresh clothes and clean sheets mean a fresh new year. Also the purchase of New Year's gifts is an important part. It is also customary to wear festival dresses and visit or welcome visitors. The most importat part of the celebration is to travel and visit relatives.
In South China, the main dinner usually has more than ten meals including bean curd and fish, because the pronunciation of these two meals is "rich" in the Chinese language. In North China, most of the meeting meals are dumplings, which are made and eaten by the whole family.Usually the New Year is celebrated with the representation of art groups and fairs in the big parks to provide people with art and culture. And fireworks are made during New Year's Eve, on the eve of the first day of the lunar month.
Happy New Year!
Recommended Book for the Month
Celebrate Chinese New Year with this festive introduction for kids ages 6 to 9 by Eugenia Chu (Author)
This engaging book for kids explains the history, folklore, traditions, and customs of Chinese New Year and includes interactive activities that encourage kids to celebrate at home or in their communities. This Chinese New Year kids’ book includes:
- Diverse traditions—From festivals and parades to relaxation and cooking, kids will learn how Chinese New Year is celebrated in different ways.
- Fun, hands-on activities—Kids can explore a variety of ways to get festive, like making Chinese dumplings, paper lanterns, and their very own Chinese Zodiac calendar.
- Fascinating facts and pictures—Colorful illustrations and fascinating factoids help bring Chinese New Year to life for your child.
Other books:
Brandon Makes Jiǎo Zi (餃子) by Eugenia Chu is an illustrated children's story that mixes American and Chinese cultures, bringing not only traditions together, but also the two languages. I recommend this book for the cultural traditional and appreciation of family value. Dumpling Soup by Jama Kim Rattigan tells the story of Marisa who makes dumplings to celebrate New Year, but she worries if anyone will eat her funny-looking dumplings. Set in the Hawaiian islands, this tale celebrates the joyful mix of food, customs, and languages from many cultures.
Fiesta de Primavera China
Similar al Día de Navidad, la Fiesta de Primavera es la celebración más importante para los chinos. Aunque el significado y los métodos de celebración de la Fiesta de Primavera han cambiado con el tiempo, sigue siendo la fiesta más importante de la tradición China. Este año la principal celebración es el domingo 22 de enero, 2023 con el año del conejo.
Las familias realizan muchas actividades en todo el país para dar la bienvenida a la Fiesta de Primavera. Por ejemplo, limpian sus casas, lavan su ropa y tendidos de cama. La nueva ropa fresca y sábanas limpias significan un año nuevo fresco. También la compra de regalos de Año Nuevo es parte importante. También se acostumbra llevar vestidos de festival y visitar o dar la bienvenida a los visitantes. Sin embargo, los viajes son lo más importante de celebración de la Fiesta de Primavera.
En el Sur China, la cena de reunión por lo general tiene más de diez comidas incluyendo la cuajada de frijol y el pescado, porque la pronunciación de estas dos comidas es "rico" en la lengua china. En el Norte China, la mayor parte de las comidas de reunión es bolas de masa hervida, que son hechas y comidas por la familia entera.
Por lo general se celebran el Año Nuevo con la representación de grupos de arte y ferias en los grandes parques para proveer a la gente el arte y la cultura. Y se hacen fuegos artificiales durante la Nochevieja, en Víspera del primer día del mes lunar.
¡Feliz Año Nuevo!
ACTIVIDADES GRATIS EN: www.luzdelmes.com
Maritza Martínez Mejía
Mother, Theologian, Author, Educator and Translator
Member: FWA, MCBD Board of Advisors, Read to Me, Day! Ambassador
ANLMI & Gremio Poético Colombiano
Received Crystal Apple, VCB Poetry 2015, Latino Book Awards 2016
