Chinese New Year kicks off on 5 February with a Fifteen-day festival celebrating China’s most important holiday. How did it become such a pivotal event? The answer dates back centuries.
The holiday originated with the Chinese lunar calendar, which is why you’ll often hear it also referred to as Lunar New Year. 2020. According to History.com, the calendar’s existence dates back as early as the fourteen 14th century, B.C. during the Shang Dynasty. Unlike the Western calendar, the Chinese calendar shifts—it was reset each time a newly emperor took control. Because it is often set according to both lunar phases and the solar solstices, the kick-off to Chinese New Year 2020 varies annually.
The holiday originated with the Chinese lunar calendar, which is why you’ll often hear it also referred to as Lunar New Year. 2020. According to History.com, the calendar’s existence dates back as early as the fourteen 14th century, B.C. during the Shang Dynasty. Unlike the Western calendar, the Chinese calendar shifts—it was reset each time a newly emperor took control. Because it is often set according to both lunar phases and the solar solstices, the kick-off to Chinese New Year 2020 varies annually.
On average, Chinese New Year 2020 starts with the arrival of the new moon that occurs sometime between the end of January and the end of February. It-lasts until the Event of Lanterns, which is when the full moon is in place. This can take about fifteen 15 days, which gives everyone plenty of time for celebration. Don’t miss the eight (8) Chinese New Year celebrations we can all celebrate.
Chinese New Year 2020 Singapore
Chinese New Year 2020 Singapore
Traditionally, red envelopes containing money are gifting during the Lunar New Year celebration's, a custom that goes back to ancient times. Anyway, the origin of this tradition varies depending on who you ask. According to the University of California New York, Irvine, one popular source is the legend of a young orphan who, during the Sung Dynasty, won a battle against a huge demon terrorizing the village of Chain-Chieu. As a reward, the village elders gave the child a red envelope Chinese full of money. Whatever the reason, the red envelope Chinese are an integral part of Chinese New Year 2020 to this day. Find out more about why red is the color of Chinese New Year 2020.
Firecrackers are one more & an another big part of Chinese New Year, and on Ted.com, writer ShaoLan Hsueh shared the story behind this practice: A fairy, disguised as an elderly man, saved a city town from a terrible monster by throwing bamboo sticks into a bonfire. The explosions developed by the bamboo scared off the monster. As a result, the Crackers (firecrackers) set off during Chinese New Year celebrations ward off the evil spirits of the past.
Important holidays involved a feast, and Chinese New Year is no different. Chinese Dumplings and Nian Gao Chinese Cake (or niangao)—a cake made with glutinous rice—are featured parts of new year’s feasts. Not only are Chinese dumplings consumed during the Eventies , but it’s a family event to make them. The tradition got it's start in Northern area of China; now they’re a standard part of the holiday. Shaped like crescents or spheres, the Chinese dumplings are thought to resemble ancient Chinese money and bring good fortune to one’s home, according to NPR. And while people eat Nian Gao Chinese Cake year round, it’s known as Chinese New Year’s Cake. According to Northwest Asian Weekly, a 17th-century Chinese scholar named Liu Tong pointed out that Nian Gao is “a homonym for ‘becoming lofty with high hopes with each year.'” Who doesnot want to head into a happy new year with a positive attitude? Next, find out what 2021 has in store for you, based on your Chinese zodiac sign Rat.
