I’ve written blogs on Chinese New Year (aka Luna New Year or Spring Festival) for quite a few years. My intent is not to repeat previous information. However, I am providing links to previous blogs, if you are interested. There are some fun facts, traditions, superstitions, and taboos in the earlier ones.
The usual Chinese New Year greeting is “xin nian kuai le”, meaning Happy New Year. This differs in Hong Kong and other Cantonese-speaking regions: “gong hei fat choy” in Mandarin Chinese, means congratulations on the fortune.
Chinese New Year is often referred to as Lunar New Year because it means the start of a new year on the Lunar calendar. The Chinese didn’t adopt the Gregorian calendar until the 20th century. Obviously, the Chinese zodiac is based on the lunar calendar, as well. Even though China mostly uses the Gregorian calendar, traditional, ancient Chinese holidays continue to be calculated using the Lunar Calendar. This includes Chinese New Year, the yearly Lantern Festival, as well as many others.
Celebrations start on New Year’s Eve, although the Spring Festival is technically 15 days, which makes a total of 16 days. Actually, the lunar holiday season starts with the Laba Festival (腊八节 / là bā jié). This is the 8th day of the last lunar month. All together that’s around 40 days of celebrations when Chinese people are spending an abundance of money on shopping and eating out.
This is a time for visiting and spending time with family. People start buying New Year’s products the month before and stock up on new clothes, gifts. food, cooking supplies, etc. It has been said that The Spring Festival “causes the largest human migration in the world” for family reunions. Everyone is expected to be back home for New Year’s Eve dinner.
Obviously, as in the US and other parts of the world, life in China has changed. Most parents, especially elderly ones, live in rural villages. Their children usually work in cities. The migration of people going back home “for vacation” at this time is called “chunyun” (春运), or Spring Migration. Unfortunately, train tickets can only be purchased 60 days in advance. That means a rush for tickets at this time! For example, in 2015, train ticket sales numbered about 1,000 sales per second!
In China, an important part of Chinese culture is to have children and pass down the family name. It gets to the point, that some singles hire a fake boyfriend or girlfriend. Those who for some reason don’t want to go home, can “rent” themselves out. The rental may even include some pre-set answers to relative questions.
Traditions of interest:
It is said that the most fireworks in the world are set off on New Year’s Eve. If you know about the myth of the monster Nian, you know that firecrackers are supposed to scare off monsters and bad luck. This is why people stay up until midnight on Chinese New Year’s Eve and set off firecrackers. Firecrackers are used the next morning for good luck and to welcome the new year. Both firecrackers and fireworks sound throughout the night!
Because of safety concerns and air pollution, fireworks have been banned in many Chinese cities. More than 500 cities have restrictions on both firecrackers and fireworks. Many people don’t care about the ban, and have been doing it anyway. For example, Beijing banned fireworks for 13 years and lifted the ban in 2006 because of public outcry and anger. So if you’re in China during the long holiday, you’ll probably hear and see explosions for a minimum of 3 nights or even a lot more (depending on where you are).
People also burn fake money and gold bars printed on paper in honor of their deceased loved ones. They believe that the offerings will bring their ancestors good luck and fortune in the afterlife. Holiday gifts are exchanged during the Spring Festival, although Children also get red envelopes filled with money. This money is meant to transfer fortune from the older generations to the younger ones. A definite highlight: these red envelopes containing money can also be given “between bosses and employees, co-workers and friends”. Technology changed some of this and digital red pockets are now the trend. You can send one into group chats and others can fight for the money. This is called “snatching red pockets” or “qiang hongbao” (抢红包)
Food: Most people think dumplings are popular everywhere in China. However, it’s more popular in the North area of China. Even though according to legend you are supposed to eat dumplings for every meal, most people don’t because there are so many other options. If they do eat dumplings, it is usually at the New Year's Eve dinner or for the first breakfast.
Wine is very popular and mostly present for every ceremony, festival, or important dinner or occasion. An interesting twist: when you’re eating with someone older than you (such as at holiday dinners), a strict toasting etiquette exists. For example: the order of toasts, seating, how you hold the wine glass, etc.
Zodiac Year:
Even though Western horoscopes have 12 zodiacs (one for each month), there are also 12 Chinese zodiacs. However, the animal is for the entire year and plays a large part in Chinese culture, where your animal can decide the success of your relationships, career, health, etc. The 12 Chinese zodiac animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.
Let’s talk about The Year of the Fire Horse and the Call for Unity
This is a year where the Horse also represents Fire, creating an "intense double-fire" effect, specifically characterized by Yang Fire. It is also known as “fire with legs” year because it signifies high-energy and turbulent change. This is the first Fire Horse in 60 years (the length of the Zodiac cycle). This is a dynamic, restless time, and possibly one of conflict. No surprise there. The current Year of the Wood Snake, ends on February 16. Now is the time to shed old ideas, habits, and ways of doing things as we prepare for the Year of the Fire Horse which demands clarity, decisive, and consistent action.
The following is a direct quote: “This year’s I Ching hexagram is Hexagram 13: Tong Ren (Fellowship with Men). With Heaven above and Fire below (fire again!), it signifies Unity. This hexagram suggests that things may become so challenging that different groups finally realize they must unite for a common goal to survive and thrive amid those challenges.” My comment on this: Wow, does this fit our world today!
Horse is this year’s zodiac (2026), and the 7th animal in the Zodiac. Other Horse years: 2026, 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942 and 1930. We won’t have another year of the Horse until 2038 - Year of the Earth Horse. According to the Chinese Five Elements Theory one of the five elements—Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth—are attributed to each year. This means that Horses born in different years will have different personalities.
A brief look at the attributes of the Fire Horse: On the positive side, Horse is confident, agreeable, responsible, fit, intelligent, decisive, self-motivated, tenacious, courageous, agile, and shrewd. They have strong principles, are outgoing and agreeable, and usually like to show off their talents. Horses are candid and enthusiastic. Horses make great leaders and social advocates.
On the flip side, Horses are vain and prone to seek attention and accolades. Horses don’t like being reined in. They are impatient, easily bored, stubborn, and rarely accept defeat except when their passion runs out of steam.
BOTTOM LINE: With all the chaos, conflict, and challenges we are facing today, The Year of the Fire Horse is very fitting! Hopefully, we start to see some Unity!
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Links to previous Chinese New Year blogs below:
https://balancedlifetaichi.com/blog/2020-the-chinese-new-year-of-the-rat
https://balancedlifetaichi.com/blog/legends-and-myths-of-chinese-new-year (2021)
https://balancedlifetaichi.com/blog/chinese-new-year-2022
https://balancedlifetaichi.com/blog/when-is-chinese-new-year-2023
https://balancedlifetaichi.com/blog/2024-the-year-of-the-wood-dragon
https://balancedlifetaichi.com/blog/chinese-new-year-2025