**Chinese New Year Handout**
**Title: The Origin, Customs, and Legends of Chinese New Year**
**I. Introduction**
Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is one of the most important traditional festivals in China. It marks the beginning of the lunar new year and is celebrated by various ethnic groups across the country. This festival usually falls between January 21 and February 20 each year.
**II. Origin**
The exact origin of Chinese New Year is not clear, but it has been celebrated for at least 4,000 years. One of the most popular theories is that it originated from the practice of celebrating the agricultural harvest and welcoming the new year. It was also believed that evil spirits would roam the earth during this time, so people would perform various rituals to ward them off.
**III. Customs**
1. **Red Decorations**: Red is a symbol of happiness and good fortune. Homes are decorated with red lanterns, couplets, and paper cuttings.
2. **Familial Reunions**: Families come together to have a reunion dinner, usually on New Year's Eve. It is considered the most important meal of the year.
3. **Fireworks and Firecrackers**: These are used to scare away evil spirits and to bring good luck.
4. **Dumplings**: Eating dumplings on New Year's Eve is a traditional custom. They symbolize wealth and are shaped like ancient Chinese money.
5. **Nian Gao**: A sticky rice cake, which represents prosperity and growth.
6. **Paying Respect to the Ancestors**: Families visit graves and offer food and paper offerings to honor their ancestors.
7. **Red Envelopes**: Red envelopes filled with money are given to children and young ***s as a symbol of good luck.
**IV. Legends**
1. **Nian**: The story of Nian, a mythical beast that ate livestock and scared villagers. The people realized that Nian feared the color red, loud noises, and the light, so they used these to protect their homes and families.
2. **God of Fortune**: It is believed that the god of fortune visits people during the Chinese New Year, bringing good luck and happiness.
3. **Zhu Bajie**: According to the "Journey to the West" story, Zhu Bajie, one of the heroes, was turned into a pig on New Year's Eve. He became a symbol of wealth and prosperity.
**V. Conclusion**
Chinese New Year is a time of joy, celebration, and reflection. It is a festival that brings families together and reminds us of the importance of tradition and culture. Whether you are celebrating with friends, family, or alone, Chinese New Year is a time to embrace the spirit of unity, happiness, and prosperity.
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