Celebrating The Chinese New Year

Chinese customs and traditions have been practiced by the Chinese for many years. These traditions have even reached other parts of the world. Their celebration of the Chinese New Year is full of ancient traditions and customs. From the way they dress and the foods they serve all have its own symbolism according to their Chinese tradition and practices.

The following are just some of the customs that the Chinese do when they are celebrating their New Years’:

• The Chinese have the habit of sweeping the dust and the dirt from the house a few moments before the New Year arrives. They believe this a sign of getting rid of the clutters and bad things we had in the past year and to have a clean and peaceful year ahead.
• Another thing Chinese do is decorating their houses with colorful lanterns and figurines. They use traditional Chinese colors for this. The Chinese believes that bright red and shimmering gold colors attracts wealth. These colors are seen all around the house so that everyone in the house will be blessed with much prosperity for the coming year.
• The rooms are also filled with lots of beautifully bloomed flowers and plants. This custom is said to symbolize the rebirth and the new growth of the coming year. It is believed to bring luck and prosperity in the family.
• Another custom of the Chinese is the placing of flowering quince branches and paper-white narcissus in bowls that are very fragrant. This too is believed to bring luck in the house. The flowers symbolize a bloom for the financial status of the family for the year ahead.
• The Chinese enjoy a traditional dinner during their New Years’ celebration. Others throw their own parties at home. They can also order from restaurants with all the traditional Chinese food choices. Chinese feast foods can be a lot. Chinese serve a large variety of foods on their tables especially during the New Years’. This is a sign of prosperity and generosity in the family.
• Most Chinese serve foods that symbolize wealth. Round foods are the symbol of money. Anything round from fruits to cakes and cookies that are shaped to a circle. These are all the signs of having a prosperous wealth for the next year.
• When the clock strikes twelve, people ring in and make loud noises. This custom is said to drive away evil spirits. Some light their fire crackers, and others even have their fireworks. People from inside the houses bang their gongs. They also start their cars and make loud horns.
• The most exciting way to celebrate the Chinese New Year is attending parades. Chinese parades can be really fun and colorful. There are dancing Chinese dragons in the streets which are another custom of the Chinese.