The Chinese Spring Festival
The Chinese spring festival is also known as the Chinese new year according to the lunar calendar. It is the most grandiose traditional festival in China which is celebrated on varying dates every year but generally falls between January 21st and February 20th in the Gregorian calendar. This year, the spring festival would be held on the 12th of February, 2021 ushering in the year of the Ox. 2022, would be the year of the tiger.
The festival symbolizes the unity of the Chinese people and future prosperity. It is a time for families to get together and honour heavenly and household deities. The spring festival is always an official public holiday in China which is also celebrated in some other Asian countries such as Malaysia.
During this festival, they pray to ancestral gods for blessings of the new year. It is undoubtedly the most colourful annual event in china which would traditionally last up to two weeks till the lantern festival but it is a 7day long holiday. The walls of China would be decorated with red lanterns, fireworks, parades, banquets and dances. It is indeed a grand celebration.
Personally, I would say it is the best time to visit China for the festivity. Although, September is said to be the best time to visit China because the weather is neither hot nor cold.
As usual, there are special dishes to have on every special occasion, the Spring Festival is no exception. Given the importance of food in China, it is not so much of a surprise that certain foods play certain roles in china with meanings. It is worthy to note that the Chinese have a lot of homonyms (words with similar pronunciations but different meanings) which play a significant role in the culture.
Fish: fishes are a symbol of wealth and increase of prosperity in china because the word fish in Chinese yú(鱼) is similar to the word surplus Shèngyú (剩余). Literally “let there be fish every year” (Měinián dōu you yú 每年都有鱼) and “let there be surplus every year” (Ràng měinián dōu you yíngyú让每年都有盈余) are the same thing in Chinese. This food is eaten particularly on new year’s eve which typically symbolizes a trust for abundance in the coming year. Additionally, the fish is served whole with the head and tail intact to symbolize a good beginning and end for the months ahead.
Dumplings (Jiaozi 饺子): Dumplings are said to represent wealth because dumplings are similar to ancient gold ingots used as a means of exchange. In the making of dumplings by family members, a coin may be hidden inside to symbolize good fortune to whoever finds it. Families prepare dumplings together as a sign of unity before eating them at midnight. Dumplings also symbolize family reunion.
A saying goes, “if you eat dumpling with Chinese liquor, your future would be richer” (Jiaozi jiùshì jiu, chī dé yuè duō, dédào de yuè duō 饺子 就是酒，吃得越多，得到的越多).
Sticky rice cake (nián’gāo 年糕): Sticky rice cake increases prosperity, incomes and position every year. The greeting (niánnián gāoshēng 年年高升) which wishes people to advance towards higher positions and prosperity is gotten from the sticky rice cake which is a homonym for higher years高年级Gāo niánjí
Spring rolls (Chūnjuan 春卷): They signify wealth because they are made in the shape of gold bars.
SPRING FESTIVAL DANCES
Lion and Dragon Dances
These are traditional dances performed during festive periods to enhance the atmosphere. It is traditionally believed that the performance of these dance during the spring festival is indeed a way to pray for good luck and drive far away all evil spirits. The dragon is a symbol of China which represents wisdom, power and wealth. On the other hand, the lion represents power, wisdom, and superiority.
GREETINGS
If you have Chinese friends, classmates, relatives, neighbours, business partners or acquaintances. Here are some greetings on Spring festival to show you are well conversant and value the relationship you have with them:
Happy Spring Festival (Chūnjié kuàilè 春节快乐)
Good fortune according to your wishes (Zhù nín hao yùn 祝您好运
Happy new year (guò nián hao 过年好)
Wish you happiness and prosperity! (gōng xi fā cái 恭喜发财!)
Wish you a happy New Year! (zhù ni xīn nián kuài lè 祝你新年快乐!)
Good fortune as you wish (jí xiáng rú yì吉祥如意)
Win promotion and make a fortune (shēng guān fā cái升官发财)
Good health (shēn tijiàn kāng身体健康)
Progress in study (xué xí jìn bù学习进步)
Peace all year round (Suì suì píng’ān岁岁平安).
It is advisable to round off all businesses with Chinese counterparts before the Spring Festival.
Wish you a Happy New Year!
祝你新年快乐
