Chinese New Year Practices and Traditions
Millions of people worldwide will celebrate the Chinese New Year 2012.The event isn’t a single day but spread more than a full two weeks. The Chinese New Year is also full of customs and traditions, among them are:
1. Children get to receive money in red envelopes. These envelopes are handed out by the adults. Employers also hand these out to employees to make sure great fortune. The quantity inside the envelope ought to be in even numbers, preferably 8, which the Chinese regard as a lucky number.
2. The Chinese regard tangerines as a lucky fruit, so you’ll find these fruits serve in traditional Chinese New Year feasts. Children are expected to wish their elders a happy new year and provide them two tangerines as they do so, which is a sign that they are also wishing for their elders to become lucky in the new year.
3. A dragon and lion dance is one of the highlights of any Chinese New Year parade, especially in various Chinatowns all around the globe. The dragon in particular is said to be a symbol of power and great luck, and the dance is said to welcome good luck and prosperity for the coming year.
4. The Chinese make sure that red banners are hung up all over the home. The banners can be painted or printed with the word “Fu” for luck, or be printed with short couplets or poems that express gratitude for the blessings of the previous year and hopeful wishes for the coming one.
5. You’ll also see plenty of lanterns during the Chinese New Year, as the event also goes by the name Lantern Festival. People purchase these lanterns to light them up. It is their way of ushering within the new year. Some walk around with lit lanterns on the streets, while others string them up outside their houses.
6. These lanterns might also have riddles on them. Individuals take a piece of paper, write their riddle on it, after which stick the paper on the lantern. Anyone — guests and passersby — can try to guess the riddle. If they answer it correctly, they get a present from the individual who hung the lantern.
7. The Chinese New Year is also a time when the ancestors are remembered. This really is carried out by saying prayers in their honor. Incense sticks are burned as the prayers are said. The individuals thank the ancestors for all of the great fortune they’ve received the year before.
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