Chinese New Year’s celebrations don’t happen on January 1st. They don’t even happen on the same day from one year to the next. They are celebrated at about the same time every year, sometime between the middle of January and the middle of February. This is because the Chinese New Year’s celebration isn’t based on our calendar, but on the first new moon of the new year, and the date of the new moon changes from year to year. The Chinese New Year’s celebration ends with the Lantern Festival, 15 days later.
The Chinese New Year is a very busy time for Chinese families. Before the start of the celebration, Chinese families decorate their homes. They put up displays of oranges, candy trays, blooming flowers, and good wishes written on red paper. New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are a time for family celebrations. These two days are also a time to honor the gods and family ancestors. Ancestors are members of the family that lived a long time ago. On New Year’s Eve, Chinese families have a special family feast. Chinese people believe that the second day of the celebration is the birthday of all dogs! On this day people are very kind to dogs and give them extra food.
The fifth day of the celebration is called “ Po Woo”. This is the day when families honor the God of Wealth. On this day, people usually stay home because it is bad luck to go out and visit friends or family. The seventh day is the day for farmers to show off their produce. Produce means things that a farmer has grown, like fruits and vegetables. Farmers will also make a special drink on this day from seven different vegetables. This day is also considered to be the birthday of all human beings. On the tenth day people give offerings to the Jade Emperor. Chinese people believe the Jade Emperor is the ruler of Heaven. The rest of the celebration is a time for eating and drinking, visiting friends and visiting family. On the last day of the celebration is the Lantern Festival. Lantern craftsmen spend many days preparing the beautiful lantern displays. There are lanterns in all different shapes and sizes. Some lanterns are shaped like animals, and in some northern Chinese towns and cities there are even lantern displays made out of ice! Children carry their own lanterns as well, and there are many lion and dragon dances.
The Chinese New Year’s Festival lasts for 15 days and it is a time to celebrate the start for a new year with family and friends.