The Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, is the most important celebration in China. It is a cherished occasion for families to reunite, share festive meals, and honour the memory of their ancestors. The Spring Festival holds profound cultural, social, and historical significance. For the Chinese people, the Spring Festival is a celebration of their rich cultural heritage. 

Here is an outline of the origins of this festival, its many traditions and customs, and how it has changed under the impact of modern technology and lifestyles. 

Origins 

The Chinese New Year celebration dates back thousands of years, when it began as an agricultural festival. Farmers observed the day by sending their wishes to the gods, hoping for a bountiful harvest in the coming year. They also made sacrifices to honour their ancestors. In Chinese tradition, the arrival of spring symbolises renewal, joy, hope, and optimism. It marks nature’s awakening: flowers bloom and animals emerge from their winter slumber. This phenomenon led to the Chinese New Year being renamed the Spring Festival after the Republic of China was established in 1912, a time when the Gregorian calendar replaced the lunar calendar. 

There are also legends that point to the mythical origins of the festival. One such legend tells of villagers who feared the end of winter, believing that a demon named Nian (which literally means “year”) would return. Nian was a massive creature that attacked people and their livestock. However, the villagers eventually discovered Nian’s weaknesses and used light, noise, and the colour red to scare the creature. When Nian next appeared, they lit firecrackers and waved flames, causing the creature to flee. Since then, the villagers have celebrated this victory with great enthusiasm, marking the end of their fears and welcoming the arrival of spring in a joyful and peaceful atmosphere.

Customs.

The Chinese New Year begins on the first day of the first month in the lunar calendar. It spans several days, including celebrations that take place both before and after this symbolic date. 

Family reunion 

During this festive period, families traditionally get together to celebrate the Spring Festival. The Chinese people based outside their hometowns return to their hometowns, which marks the start of the world’s biggest annual migration. Known as chunyun in Chinese, this phenomenon sees millions of people making trips across the countries. It shows just how important this festival is. 

Spring cleaning 

Traditionally, a day is set aside to clean the house in preparation for the New Year. This ritual occurs on the 24th day of the 12th lunar month, one week before the Chinese New Year. It symbolises wiping the slate clean of the past, eliminating bad energy, and making way for a prosperous year ahead. 

Home decoration  

In the days leading up to the Chinese New Year, people decorate their homes with the colour red, which is believed to bring good luck. The most common decorations are Chinese couplets written on red strips, placed above and on either side of the main entrance. These symbols serve as a good omen for the coming year. Another popular decoration is the upside-down fu character, a symbol of good luck, which is placed at the entrance to “pour good luck” on anyone who enters. Rooms are also adorned with New Year prints, often depicting deities such as the gatekeeper gods or the god of wealth.

Traditional food  

The New Year’s Eve meal is rich in symbolism. In the southern regions of China, people eat meatballs prepared in various ways, symbolising family unity and happiness. In the northern regions, dumplings stuffed with meat and finely chopped vegetables are a traditional dish. Their shape resembles ancient gold ingots, representing wealth and prosperity.  

Red envelopes 

After New Year’s Eve, people hand out the famed red envelopes, or hongbao, containing money as New Year’s gifts. This gesture symbolises wishes for luck, happiness, and prosperity in the coming year.  

Exchanging good wishes 

Exchanging wishes for happiness and prosperity throughout the year is an important tradition during the Chinese New Year. The first day of the Chinese New Year is typically dedicated to courtesy visits, beginning with the most important individuals, such as the eldest relatives and superiors. 

Dragon and lion dances 

Throughout China, the Spring Festival comes alive with traditional dragon and lion dance performances. Accompanied by the sound of drums, gongs, and cymbals, dancers dressed as dragons or lions execute impressive routines meant to ward off evil spirits and malevolent creatures like Nian. These dynamic performances demand exceptional physical stamina and remarkable agility.  

Farewell to the God of the Furnace 

On the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, Chinese people burn a paper image representing the God of the Furnace, so that he can ascend to heaven and report back to the Jade Emperor on the behaviour of his subjects. Before his departure, each family offers honey-based sweets and fruit to influence his report favourably. On New Year’s Eve, the God of the Furnace returns, and a ceremony is held to welcome him back. A new image is then placed on the furnace.

Evolution  

New practices have emerged in the celebration of this traditional festival, reflecting the changes of our time and adding a modern touch to the Spring Festival. 

On New Year’s Eve, families continue to gather for a festive meal. But instead of cooking the meal themselves, some order food online, while others hire chefs to cook at home. Many restaurants also offer ready-made dishes for convenience. Eating habits are evolving as well, with people incorporating more greens and healthy foods into their meals, and reducing their consumption of meat. 

For the past 40 years, as television has become an indispensable part of daily life, it has been a tradition for families to watch the Chinese New Year Gala on CCTV on New Year’s Eve. This iconic programme, watched by hundreds of millions, showcases a vibrant blend of acrobatics, dance, music, and song, offering a joyful and emotional shared experience for the audience. 

Modern technology is now an important part of Spring Festival traditions. For example, red envelopes containing presents are often sent virtually via social networks. Audio and video calls are also now common ways of exchanging greetings. Firecrackers and fireworks are still a big part of the celebrations, but many towns and cities have now banned them because they are dangerous and bad for the environment. So, people are using electronic firecrackers instead, which are better for the environment. 

Additionally, more people are choosing to travel during the Chinese New Year, exploring domestic and international destinations. This modern way of celebrating enriches cultural experiences while contributing to the growth of the tourism industry. 

African Times has published this article in partnership with ChinAfrica Magazine