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Chinese Reunion dinner
A reunion dinner is held on Chinese New Year's Eve where members
of the family, near and far, get together for celebrations.
The New Year's Eve dinner is very large and traditionally
includes chicken. A type of black hair-like algae, pronounced
"fat choy" in Cantonese, is also featured in many dishes since
its name sounds similar to "prosperity". Many of the Chinese
customs and traditions are based on things that sound alike.
It is a belief that having one will lead to the other.
Chinese New Year Festivity
The Chinese
New Year season lasts fifteen days. The first week is
the most important and most often celebrated with visits to
friends and family as well as greetings of good luck. The
celebrations end on the important and colorful Lantern Festival
on the evening of the 15th day of the month.
The date of the Chinese New Year is determined by the Chinese
calendar, a lunisolar calendar. Chinese New Year starts on
the first day of the New Year, containing a new moon (some
sources even include New Year's Eve) and ends on the Lantern
Festival fourteen days later.
Although celebrations of the Chinese New Year vary, the underlying
message is one of peace and happiness for family members and
friends.
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