The Chinese New Year festival marks the first day of the new year according to the lunar calendar used in ancient China. The Spring Festival (, traditional Chinese;, simplified Chinese; pinyin: Chnjié) is a well-known celebration in China.
The first of the twenty-four solar terms celebrated at the festival is lichun, which corresponds to the beginning of spring in the lunisolar calendar (which is when the Chinese New Year falls).
From New Year’s Eve, the night before January 1, to the Lantern Festival, celebrated on March 15, many cultures around the world celebrate the end of winter and the arrival of spring. The new moon that occurs between the 21st of January and the 20th of February marks the first day of the Chinese New Year celebrations.
The Lunar New Year Celebrations
China’s 56 ethnic groups, such as the Losar of Tibet (Tibetan: ), and China’s neighbours, such as the Korean New Year (Korean: ; RR: Seollal) and the Tt of Vietnam, as well as in Okinawa, have been profoundly influenced by the Chinese New Year.
It is also widely celebrated in places with sizable Overseas Chinese or Sinophone communities, such as Southeast Asia. Countries like Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam are included in this group.
It is also widely spoken in many countries outside of Asia, including Australia, Canada, Mauritius, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
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The Year Of The Rabbit
In 2023, the date of January 22 will mark the beginning of the Chinese New Year celebration. According to the Chinese zodiac, which uses a 12-year cycle with each year represented by a different animal, we are currently in the Year of the Rabbit.
Those who were born in the Years of the Rabbit (1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, and 2011) will participate in the Zodiac Year of Birth associated with the Rabbit (Ben Ming Nian). On February 10, 2024, Chinese people will celebrate the New Year.
The Chinese New Year is a time for families to gather at home and celebrate with one another by preparing a festive meal and exchanging gifts, much like the Western holiday of Christmas.
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The Origins Of The Term “Spring Festival” In Politics
To bring things up to date, the third and arguably most convincing reason for the name of this celebration can be found in more recent times.
Not until 1914 did the Chinese New Year become commonly known as the Spring Festival.
China adopted the Gregorian Calendar (and thus its new year on January 1) in 1912 when the Republic of China was formed, but it wanted to keep designating certain times for the celebration of its seasonal festivals.
The term “Spring Festival” was adopted to help differentiate between the Gregorian New Year and the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations.
In addition to respecting the different new year celebrations of other ethnic groups on different dates, the newly formed government of the Republic of China wanted to include festivals of all Chinese ethnic spring celebrations into one inclusive holiday that was not labelled “Chinese New year.” This is why the Spring Festival is so long.
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What Kinds Of Festivities Surround This Holiday In China? Practices And Habits
When red lanterns and other bright lights adorn every street corner in anticipation of the Lunar New Year, celebrations have officially begun. Then what do the Chinese do?
After a hectic first half of the year filled with holiday preparations like cleaning and shopping, the celebrations begin on New Year’s Eve and continue for 15 days until the full moon and the Lantern Festival. Explore with me the foundational customs and rituals of the Chinese New Year by scrolling down.
Does Spring Festival Differ From Chinese New Year?
No, in the proper context, these two celebrations are not different from one another. However, there are a few caveats to bear in mind due to China’s ethnic diversity.
While the Han majority of Chinese celebrate the Lunar New Year, there are other Chinese ethnic groups who may celebrate the Spring Festival in a more traditional way without considering it a ‘new year’ celebration and instead observing a new year and spring festival that are specific to their own culture or calendar.
The majority of modern-day Chinese celebrate the New Year as the Lunar New Year, making the Chinese New Year essentially synonymous with the Spring Festival.
