The Chinese Culture for Lunar New Year

On 16th February, Chinese from all over the world embraced the lunar new year. People gathered together with their family and friends to celebrate the start of a hopeful and lucky new year. When the bell rings at 12 o’clock at midnight, we often say “Happy New Year”, “Wan Shi Ru Yi” which means may you have all that you desire, May you stay healthy”, etc to our grandparents and parents while we have dumplings.

Those common sayings can be dated back to the ancient Chinese history and have been passed down through generations. The elderly in China are respectful and have the highest position in the family. For example, before elderly saying “let’s start the dinner”, children cannot seat down and have the meal. It is disrespectful to older people. Additionally, children need to pick up dishes for their grandparents and propose a toast to say something auspicious like wishing them stay healthy or having longer life when they are having meals.

The Chinese way to celebrate lunar new year is almost the same for American culture that families gather around to have meal and wish everyone for a happy new year. However, the Chinese way for blessing is that younger people wish elderly people have a healthy body and in the new year they can attain what they wish for. For most of time, it is the elders that receive the new year blessings. This phrase reflects the Chinese culture that young people need to show their great respect to elders. After the family reunion dinner on lunar New Year’s Eve, Chinese always go to see other relatives during the second day. They will bring fruits, gifts, or red packets for children. When they call at relatives’ house, they will say “happy new year” or “may you be happy and prosperous” to wish them earn more money in the new year.

Most Chinese family have kept the tradition for celebrating lunar new year like saying auspicious idioms to hope for a lucky year and to show their respect to elders.