When is Chinese New Year 2024

  • Date: Tuesday, Feb 5, 2024.

 

  • Animal Year: Pig


  • Calculations to decide the Date: Chinese New Year, which is additionally the festival of the appearance of spring season in the nation, falls on an alternate date every year when plotted against the current Gregorian schedule.This is a direct result of the way that the conventional Chinese New Year is ascertained according to the old Chinese technique for luni solar based estimations, where the New Year starts on the second New Moon after the Winter Solstice that is closest to the start of the spring season (li chun), which again typically falls on the eleventh month of the Chinese Calendar.Be that as it may, when a Leap Month comes after the eleventh or twelfth month of the Chinese timetable, then the New Year is considered to start from the third New Moon Day. Amid the present day times, Chinese logbook is figured on the premise of 120 degrees East Meridian. The lengths of the months are cosmically ascertained in a way so it organizes with the customary calculations of the Chinese timetable.After this, these calculations are then plotted against the mix of lunar and solar calculative systems for logbook counts. Due to this there is a presence of a Solar New Year which is known as Sui which begins from one December solstice and closures in the following. The other is the premise of the Chinese logbook, and is called Nian. Chinese New Year Day is controlled by approximating the two said frameworks together.

 

Year of the Pig: Chinese years are accepted to be happening in a rotational cycle of sixty years. According to Chinese legends, Folklore and mythology every Chinese New Year is named after an animal.

This is additionally a pivotal piece that forms the backbone of Chinese Zodiac, and forecasts on the nature and attributes of all human beings can be deciphered from this Zodiac framework, as per Chinese beliefs. Pig is the 10th among the 12 animals that form the framework of the Chinese Animal System.

Individuals conceived in a year of the Pig are witty, keen, blessed with intellect, and have an attractive identity. Identity attributes also may include mischievous nature and devious attitude.Pig are bosses of pragmatic jokes, in light of the fact that they like playing more often than not. Despite the fact that they don’t intend to, their tricks may now and again hurt the sentiments of others.

Their intelligence makes them quick learners and cunning go getters. They have numerous intrigues and need accomplices who are fit for invigorating them. While some like the unconventional way of Pig, some don’t believe their guileful, fretful, and curious nature. In spite of the fact that they are clever and imaginative,Pig can’t generally show their ability to the full bloom, although they never mind plunging head on to take challenges to their stride.

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Chinese New Year Tradition

Chinese people are very traditional and believe in lot of customary practice to observe New Year. To explore more about their culture, read this information on Chinese New year traditions which unfolds the various rituals in China.



Like any other part of the world, Chinese are also very excited for the arrival of New Year. This is the time when they religiously follow all the Chinese New Year customs.

Chinese New Year Tradition 2019

House cleaning is the most important tradition in Chinese New Year. All the members of the family prepare for this. Days before the arrival of New Year everything is washed and changed in the homes and business places. The shops are cleaned and immense care is taken to ensure cleanliness everywhere. It is believed by the people that sweeping and washing wades off the ill fortune and evils spirits from the homes.

Welcoming the new beginning should start with painting of the window panes and doors with red color. The entire house is painted red or people prefer red colored window dressings for this. It is one of the very ancient New Year Chinese traditions to use the color red to scare the evils.

All the corners of the home and store are decorated with paper cutting and couplets. Some of the very famous themes are ‘fortune’, ‘happiness’, ‘wealth’, ‘longevity’ and ‘satisfaction’. Children adorn the doors with paintings and decorative wall papers.

The houses and shops are decorated with red lanterns which are handmade by the members of the family. During New Year for the entire fifteen days celebrations these lanterns are kept illuminated for the entire night. These are also, known as the Lantern festival.

Chinese New Year Tradition

Chinese New Year Tradition

Knives and scissors are kept aside on the New Years day. It is Chinese New Year belief that these would cut the fortune for coming year. People also, display oranges, peaches, tangerines and pomelos which symbolizes luck and wealth.

On the Chinese New Years Eve people arrange gatherings and parties to be with their loved ones. Special cuisines are prepared to enjoy the feast on the New Years Eve. It is believed that the food offered to the ancestors’ first beings fortune and happiness to the family.

“Jiaozi” is the traditional Chinese New Year dish which is prepared by the family members. These are dumplings cooked in boiling water. The meaning of “Jiaozi” is ‘sleep together and have sons’. After the meals all the family members play games and cards.

At midnight, the entire sky is lit with fireworks. This is customary practice in China during New Year to enjoy the fire crackers. People enjoy Chinese New year songs to spread the message of good health, great wealth and longevity to all.

People greet each other and exchange gifts. The younger ones visit the homes of elder member of the family. The adults surprise the kids by placing red envelopes with coins in it under the pillow of the children.

Wishing you all wonderful and lucky Chinese New Year! Hope you enjoy the celebrations and the Chinese New Year traditions to welcome prosperity and fortune to your home.

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Chinese New Year In New York

Celebrations marking the Chinese New Year in New York are organized on a grand scale each year. Chinatown with significant Chinese population in the city dazzles in sparkling lights and fills with cacophonous sounds of thousand of people thronging it.



Buildings and shops are decked up to usher the big day in great style. People come out on the streets to capture the joyous moments that mark the arrival of a brand new year. The Lunar New Year celebration is one of the favorite festivals to witness when in New York. It is a time for merriment, great food, amazing shopping treats and fabulous performances. It is an opportunity for residents and visitors to be a part of the great traditions observed during this festive time and learn more about the Chinese heritage that is on full display through the events planned in New York.

For a different and insightful Lunar New Year celebration, parents can take their children to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum from Saturday, January 25-Sunday January 26. The museum would host activities that throw light to preschoolers about the significance of this festive holiday and give them the chance to make themed crafts. Young ones are sure to find the Puppetry being organized in the museum on Sunday quite entertaining as it would revolve around the traditional Chinese folk tale. A Chinese dragon puppet would also be kept at the museum and the kids would have to feed the paper wishes that they would write for it as it parades through the museum.

New York revellers can also gallop by attending the Family Festival at Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) at Chinatown. It will be held on Saturday, February. All sorts of fun activities have been planned to help families streaming in the museum to have a gala time. Traditional story telling sessions and classes for crafting rattle drums are being set up at the museum. Visitors to this delightful place can also catch entertaining performances by Chinatown’s Red Silk Dancers.

Manhattan Lunar New Year Parade at Chinatown is another must-witness feature for all revelers ushering the Chinese New Year. Half a million spectators are expected to throng the streets as parade would begin at Mott and Hester Streets, taking to Chatham Square on East Broadway to Forsyth Street and to Broome Street. The colorful pan-Asian procession would have dazzling performances, including the Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Taiwanese, Malaysian and even Hispanic floats. The presence of some fabulous family-friendly Chinatown restaurants in the area would give people the chance to round off the festive day by digging into the traditional savories.

Be at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden to enjoy the glory of welcoming the Chinese New Year in open green space. Entertaining activities such as the Chinese folk dancing, hip-hop-style lion dances, and Asian arts and crafts will be on display.

Chinese New Year
 

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Chinese New Year HD Wallpaper

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Year Of The Rooster Wallpaper

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2017 Chinese New Year Picture

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Chinese New Year 2017 Wallpaper

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Chinese New Year in San Francisco

Chinese New Year celebration is a fifteen daylong celebration heralding the advent of a New Year and bidding adieu to the old one. This celebration is also known as the spring celebration.



This is the biggest festival in the Chinese culture being celebrated since five thousand years. Chinese people from all over the world assemble to celebrate this auspicious occasion and take part in various traditional activities along with family and friends.

This is a celebration which has over the years started being celebrated all over the world in various other cities, wherever there are expatriates. Thus, San Francisco too is not an exception. San Francisco situated in Northern California famous for its Golden Gate Bridge, Victorian houses cable cars; is one of the major cities where the Chinese New Year is celebrated with a whole lot of fervor and fanfare.

The Chinese New Year celebration originated way back in the 1860 s during the period of the Gold Rush, when immigrants from China came to the United States trying to look for work. The Gold Rush continued and the expatriates Chinese decided to stay back and build up a large Chinatown community in San Francisco. The first time that this celebration was held, the organizers decided to include the traditions of both their motherland and the adopted land.

Thus, they decided to have a huge colorful parade, which has not been a part of the main Chinese festival at that time.  Over the years, this celebration has become the largest Asian event in the entire Northern America.

The grand Chinese New Year celebration includes two major fairs – the Chinese New Year Flower fair and the Chinatown Community Street Fair which then reaches a spectacular climax in the Chinese New Year parade. Let us have a quick look at the celebrations in store.

Chinese New Year Flower Fair – The Chinese New Year Flower Fair is held in the open air in the heart of Chinatown. One can buy beautiful fresh flowers, plants, fruits and various types of candies.



Chinatown Community Street Fair – The Chinatown Community Street fair is held in the streets of Chinatown, in Grant Avenue from California to Broadway, Sacramento, Washington, and Jackson in Pacific between Stockton and Kearney. This Community Fair includes some traditional dancing, drumming and lot of acrobatics. One can discover the beautiful fine art of Calligraphy. The spectacular and extremely acrobatic Lion Dance is also performed here. For the so inclines, there is also Fortune telling.

Miss Chinatown – The pageant of Miss Chinatown is held at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre in the Marina.

Miss Chinatown Coronation Ball – Miss Chinatown Coronation Ball is a black tie dinner and dance occasion which sees the crowning of the new Miss Chinatown and her court. This event is held in the Hilton San Francisco Union Square.

Basketball Jamboree – The basketball jamboree is held at the premises of the Betty Ann Ong Chinese Recreation Center in Chinatown on the Mason and Washington Streets.

Chinatown YMCA Run- The Chinatown YMCA Run begins in the morning at Sacramento and Grant Streets. The enthusiastic runners run through Chinatown, the Embarcadero, North Beach, Downtown and finishes off the run again in Chinatown.

Chinese New Year Parade – The Chinese New Year parade is counted as amongst one of the world’s top ten parades.  The Chinese New Year parade held in San Francisco is the largest celebration in this type outside Asia. This celebration and this parade are in fact one of the largest in the world and almost three million people watch this parade every year. More than almost hundreds of parade entries see participants with colorful flags and lanterns marching in the sound of drums. This Chinese New Year Parade is the only one that can boast of colorful gorgeous floats, beautiful and elaborate costumes, colorful and ferocious lions and loud sounding exploding firecrackers. Amongst the gorgeous floats, the largest and the best is the twenty eight foot golden dragon. The operation of this Golden Dragon takes almost more than hundred people to make it work and walk through the streets of San Francisco. Couple of amazing parade highlights include intricately and  elaborately decorated floats,  the various school marching bands, highly skilled martial arts group, the acrobatic and graceful lion dancers, the Chinese acrobats, the Miss Chinatown –USA , gloriously golden Dragon and many more. The Golden Dragon is huge and spectacular, with a length of two hundred and one feet, it is easily the showstopper and comes at almost the end of the parade as a showstopper; and is accompanied by over almost six million noisy fire crackers.

The Golden Dragon is a spectacular sight in itself. It was made in a small town in China called Foshan.  The dragon masters of this small town, previously used to make all the costumes for the famous Cantonese Opera, and thus it is of little wonder that the Golden Dragon has many an operatic touch to boast about like the rainbow colored interesting pompoms on its six foot long head. From the nose till the tail it is festooned with bright colored lights, silver rivets adorn both the scaly sides of this dragon and the trimming is in white colored rabbit fur. This huge Dragon divided into twenty nine segments is made on a skeleton made out of bamboos and rattan. As mentioned earlier, it takes about more than a hundred people to carry this monumental piece of art, and is in no way to be missed.

This New Year Parade can be watched either in person or via a local San Francisco channel. In case of requirement in hotel reservations, it is advisable to book a hotel as this period sees an onslaught of people visiting this beautiful bay area to see a spectacular Chinese New Year celebration.

Thus come to San Francisco during the Chinese New Year for a spectacular experience!

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Chinese New Year Masks

The biggest festival for the Chinese spread all over the world is with the advent of the Lunar moon, the beginning of the process of bidding adieu to an older year and embarking on the new.



Chinese New Year is an occasion steeped in a cultural heritage and traditional value, myth and folk lore; and goes back to more than five thousand years.

In the fifteen day long festival, the Chinese people clean their houses, cook up a huge Reunion dinner for the New Year pray at the altar of the Gods, adhere to numerous traditions and superstitions and spend a quality time bonding with their family and making preparations for the upcoming year. The age-old and traditional celebrations for the Chinese New Year reaches its fitting end with the beautiful lantern festival or what is called the Yuanxiao festival.

There are numerous traditional things which are inherently connected with New Year celebrations. Amongst many such one is the Chinese New Year masks. Chinese masks first made a presence in China during the Shang and Zhou dynasty around 3,500 years ago and since then have been appreciated for their intricacy and splendor, but when it comes to making segregation it is generally segregated into two main categories- the Chinese New Year celebrations masks and the Chinese opera performance masks.

New Year masks that are seen during the New Year season is exclusively meant and used in that particular time only. Unlike the Chinese Opera masks, the Masks that are used during the New year portray the feelings and emotions of sheer joy and happiness of welcoming the new year and bidding fare well to the old year.



All over the world, in whichever parts, the Chinese people welcome the New Year by preparing delicacies and special annual dinners, by baking cookies, by cleaning their homes, by buying gifts for families and friends. The beautiful and intricate artworks like the Chinese New Year Masks in rich colors enhance the seasonal joy and bring out the traditionalism and cultural heritage of the Chinese people.

Materials used in the masks

The materials used for the masks are varied. A variety of materials, like paper, leather, grass, and different types of metal or clothes are used. There are instances of masks, which have been carved out of stone or wood too. These masks are painted in jewel colors like red, blue or golden and have the Chinese symbolic writings.

Features of the Masks

The masks as mentioned are deeply connected to Chinese traditional symbolism and cultural heritage. The New Year masks display in many instances animal or human features. Lion and Dragon are quite recurrent theme in terms of subject matter for masks. As red is considered to be an auspicious color, there are plenty of red masks visible during the Chinese New Year celebrations and during this period. The Chinese New Year Masks being extremely exquisite are much sought after by art curators and aficionados all over the world.

Chinese New Year is the outcome of a lot of folklores, superstitions and traditional beliefs, thus spirits, evil and good beings and ancestors are recurrent motifs. The Chinese New Year masks generally portrays these characteristics and the powers, and are used and are given extreme importance during ceremonial dances which are involved in the Chinese New Year celebrations.

The Dragon is held in extreme high regard in the Chinese psyche. It has special significance during the New Years, and is believed to bring fortune and good luck and also brings rain to the farmers. As the New Year is also known as the Spring festival, thus the two are co related. The Dragon mask is therefore an important aspect of the Chinese New Year celebrations and parades. While it may not be as important as it was in the ancient times, nevertheless it still has an important part during the New Year. The Dragon mask which are used for the New Years are fairly complicated and are extensive with amazing color combinations. Colors which are mostly used are red, gold and bright blue. The Dragon mask generally has a yawning jaw protruding out. During the Dragon dance ceremony, the person heading the procession, wears the mask or holds it above his head, while the dragon dance meanders by the streets.

As the Lion dance is also integral to the Chinese New Year, and is held in high regards, another mask that is seen during this time is the Lion mask. The Lion dance requires extreme precision and Kung Fu moves. There are Different colors which are used to indicate age and characters of the lion. For example lion with white fur is the oldest, one with golden yellow fur is the middle, and the one with the black is the youngest; whose movements must also coordinate with the color theme and age group. The specific colors used may also signify the characteristics of the lions. For example the golden lion represents liveliness, the green lion friendship and the red lion courage. The dance is headed by a dancer in Lion masks or as in with a Dragon dance, holding a lion mask in a above his head, while the lion dancers go through the streets dancing, regaling the viewers.

Many of these masks that is seen during the Chinese New Year or their copies can be seen in various museums and are kept in art galleries globally. Chinese New Year is all about faith in God, traditionalism, respect to ancestors; it is about legendary beings. It is having faith in humanity, a higher power having supreme control, superstitions etc. The Chinese New Year masks, Masks honor the supreme power, and are worn during the traditional lion dance or the dragon dance. Apart from these, the Chinese New Year masks are also used as decorative artifacts.

Chinese New Year
 

Wishes Messages Quotes
Blessings Songs Wallpapers
Cards Celebration Eve
Events For Kids Facts
History Holidays Tradition
Parade Lanterns Activities
Animals Calendar When Is
Dragon Dance Greetings in Chinese Jokes
Phrases Plants Red Envelope
Reunion Dinner Invitations 15-Day Celebration
Cookies Superstitions Lion Dance
Crafts for Kids Masks

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Boston Brisbane Hawaii
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