The Traditions of Chinese New Year Celebrations
Chinese New Year is one of the oldest festivals in China and the most significant holiday of the year. Over the course of thousands of years, various customs and traditions have evolved to celebrate this holiday, many of which are still observed today.
According to traditional beliefs, each day of the first week of the lunar New Year corresponds to a specific animal:
- Day 1 : Rooster Day
- Day 2 : Dog Day
- Day 3 : Pig Day
- Day 4 : Sheep Day
- Day 5 : Ox Day
- Day 6 : Horse Day
- Day 7 : Human Day
The Little New Year (Xiaonian), celebrated on the 23rd or 24th day of the 12th lunar month, marks the beginning of the New Year celebrations. It is dedicated to honoring the Kitchen God (Zao Jun).
This day is a precursor to the full New Year festivities and includes two main activities: sweeping the year (to clean away bad luck) and honoring the Kitchen God. In addition, there are several culinary traditions, such as eating zao tang (sweet sugar -coated treats), huo shao (crispy flatbreads), tang gao (sweet rice cakes), you bing (fried dough cakes), and drinking tofu soup in some regions.
These customs are a rich part of the lead-up to the Spring Festival, reflecting the importance of family, tradition, and cultural heritage in Chinese New Year celebrations.
The Little New Year and the Kitchen God Ceremony
The 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, also known as "Little New Year" (Xiaonian), is the day when people honor the Kitchen God. According to legend, on this day every year, the Kitchen God ascends to heaven to report to the Jade Emperor about the behavior of the household, thus determining the family's fate for the coming year.
During this ritual, people place offerings such as candies, clean water, beans, and fodder for the Kitchen God's celestial steed on a table in front of his statue. The latter three are meant to prepare provisions for the Kitchen God's journey to heaven. As part of the ceremony, "Kandong sugar" (a type of traditional hard candy) is melted and applied to the Kitchen God's mouth, ensuring that he cannot speak ill of the family to the Jade Emperor.
There is a folk custom that says “men do not worship the moon, women do not worship the Kitchen God” , meaning that only men perform the Kitchen God ceremony.
The Tradition of Worshipping the Kitchen God
The worship of the Kitchen God is a deeply rooted and widely practiced tradition in China. In the past, nearly every household had a shrine to the Kitchen God. The Kitchen God was often referred to as the "God of the Stove" or "God of Family Fate" (Simi Pusa), and was believed to be appointed by the Jade Emperor as the "God of the Eastern Kitchen" , responsible for overseeing the household stove and ensuring family protection.
The shrine to the Kitchen God is usually placed on the northern or eastern side of the kitchen. In the center, a statue of the Kitchen God is displayed. In households without a shrine, the statue might be directly pasted onto the wall. Some statues depict only the Kitchen God, while others feature both male and female figures, with the female figure known as "Kitchen God's Grandmother" —a representation of a couple similar to human family dynamics.
The statue often includes the year's calendar, with inscriptions such as “God of the Eastern Kitchen”, “Guardian of the Household”, and “Protector of the Family” , emphasizing the Kitchen God's important role. On both sides, couples of "Blessings to Heaven, Peace on Earth" are often posted, wishing for the health and safety of every family member.
This custom, though simple, reflects the deep respect and reverence people have for the Kitchen God, who symbolizes family well-being and protection during the Chinese New Year celebrations.
Cleaning for the New Year: The Tradition of Sweeping Dust
On the 24th day of the 12th lunar month, it is customary to “sweep away the dust” in preparation for the Chinese New Year. According to Lüshi Chunqiu (Records of the Grand Historian), this practice dates back to the time of Emperor Yao and Shun, symbolizing the long-standing tradition of cleaning before the New Year.
In Chinese culture, the word “dust” (尘, chen ) is a homophone for “old” (陈, chen ), so sweeping away the dust carries the meaning of “removing the old and making way for the new” . The idea is to clear out bad luck and misfortune, preparing the household for a fresh start in the coming year.
This tradition is a symbolic act of renewal, representing the desire to break with the past and welcome a new beginning. As the New Year approaches, families thoroughly clean their homes, washing various household items, changing bedding and curtains, sweeping courtyards and gardens, dusting off cobwebs, and clearing out drains. Everywhere is filled with a joyful atmosphere of tidying up, as people eagerly prepare to welcome the New Year in a clean, fresh, and vibrant environment.
The act of sweeping dust is more than just physical cleaning—it reflects the spirit of renewal and hope for a brighter future.
The Tradition of Spring Festival Couplets
Spring Festival Couplets, also known as “Door Couplets” , “Spring Sticks” , or “Peach Charms” , are a unique literary form in China. These couplets are composed of neatly structured, concise, and clever phrases that reflect the backdrop of the times and express people's wishes for a better future.
Every year during Chinese New Year, whether in cities or rural areas, families select a pair of bright red couplets to hang on their doors, adding to the festive and joyful atmosphere of the holiday.
The tradition of hanging Spring Festival Couplets dates back to the Song Dynasty , but it became widely popular during the Ming Dynasty . By the Qing Dynasty , the artistic and ideological aspects of these couplets had significantly advanced. Liang Zhangju , a scholar from the Qing Dynasty , wrote a specialized book on couplets called “The Collection of Door Couplets” (槛联丛话), where he discussed the origins of couplets and their various forms.
There are different types of couplets, which are categorized based on their placement:
- “Door Center” : Hung at the top center of the door panel.
- “Frame Couplets” : Placed on the left and right door frames.
- “Horizontal Scroll” : Hung on the horizontal wooden beam above the door.
- “Spring Strips” : Posted in different areas depending on their specific meanings.
- “Doujin” (also called “Door Leaves”) : Square or diamond-shaped couplets often placed on furniture or partitions.
These couplets are not just decorations—they embody hopes for prosperity , good health , and happiness for the upcoming year.
Window Paper Cuttings: A Symbol of Festivity and Artistry
During the Chinese New Year, many people enjoy decorating their windows with various paper cuttings, known as “window flowers” ( chuanghua ). These intricate cuttings not only enhance the festive atmosphere but also serve as beautiful and functional decorations. Paper cutting is a popular folk art in China, deeply loved by people for centuries. Since these designs are commonly displayed on windows, they are affectionately referred to as “window flowers” .
Window flowers are renowned for their unique style of abstraction and exaggeration, effectively depicting auspicious symbols and good wishes. They adorn the windows, infusing the environment with a vibrant, joyful atmosphere, especially during the festive season.
The Artistic and Cultural Significance of Window Flowers
Window paper cuttings are widely varied in both content and form. Since many of the buyers are farmers, the themes often reflect rural life, such as farming, weaving, fishing, shepherding, and animal husbandry. These paper cuttings portray scenes of daily life, bringing the beauty of rural traditions to the forefront.
In addition to these everyday themes, window flowers also feature mythological legends , opera stories , and other cultural narratives . Common motifs include flowers, birds, insects, fish , and the twelve zodiac animals —symbols that are deeply embedded in Chinese culture.
Whether it's a simple flower design or a more complex scene from mythology, window flowers combine art, culture, and celebration in a way that makes them a cherished part of Chinese New Year traditions.
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