The Origin and Introduction of Chinese New Year's Eve
Chinese New Year's Eve, also known as "Chuxi," is the last day of the Chinese lunar calendar year and is considered the most important traditional festival in China. It marks the beginning of the Spring Festival, which is celebrated widely in various East Asian cultures.
**Origin:**
The concept of celebrating the New Year dates back thousands of years in Chinese history. It is believed that the practice originated during the Shang Dynasty (约前1600-约前1046) when people would offer sacrifices to gods and ancestors to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one. Over time, the celebration evolved, incorporating various rituals and customs.
The term "Chuxi" literally means "the eve of the great day," emphasizing the significance of the day before the New Year. It is a time of family reunions, preparation, and festivity.
**Introduction:**
Chinese New Year's Eve is typically a 24-hour period filled with activities that symbolize the desire for good fortune, prosperity, and harmony in the upcoming year.
- **Dining Out**: It is customary for families to gather for a special reunion dinner. This feast usually includes a variety of dishes, each with symbolic meanings, such as fish for surplus, dumplings (Jiaozi) to represent wealth, and long noodles for longevity.
- **Cleaning**: Homes are thoroughly cleaned from top to bottom to sweep away any bad luck and make way for good fortune.
- **Setting up a New Year's Tree**: An evergreen tree, known as the "Shou Sui Pao" or "New Year's Tree," is decorated with red lanterns, couplets, and paper cuttings. These decorations are meant to ward off evil spirits and attract good luck.
- **Fireworks and Firecrackers**: Fireworks and firecrackers are set off at night to frighten away evil spirits and bring in good fortune. This practice is particularly popular in urban areas, where it can be a spectacular sight.
- **Family Rituals**: Older members of the family may light incense and offer food, wine, and joss sticks to honor ancestors and gods.
- **Wearing New Clothes**: It is considered good luck to wear new clothes on New Year's Eve and throughout the festival, symbolizing a fresh start and good fortune.
- **Red Decorations**: Red, the color of happiness and luck, is prominently displayed during the New Year's Eve and the following days. Red lanterns, banners, and couplets (pairs of couplets with good wishes written on them) are hung in homes and public spaces.
- **Avoiding Bad Luck**: It's customary to avoid doing certain things that could bring bad luck, such as sweeping the floor, crying, or giving sharp objects as gifts, which is why some families wait until after midnight to begin their New Year's celebrations.
Chinese New Year's Eve is a time of great excitement and joy, and it sets the tone for the entire Spring Festival, which continues with a series of festivities throughout the lunar new year period.
「点击下面查看原网页 领取您的八字精批报告☟☟☟☟☟☟」