In my 2020 blog on Chinese New Year, I provided a lot of fun and relatively unknown information. In 2022, many things have changed due to upheavals in our economy, but most of all because of the Covid pandemic and the emerging variants. Here’s some additional information regarding Chinese New Year (also known as Spring Festival) and 2022 changes due to the pandemic.
The New Year festival is based on the Chinese Lunar Calendar, which is based on the movement of the moon. Therefore, the dates of Chinese New Year vary slightly from year to year. In fact, the moon movement also determines the date of the Lantern Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, and the Mid-Autumn Day.
Chinese New Year 2022 falls on February 1st (Tuesday), however, the festival lasts until February 15 (15 days ). It marks the transition from 2021 (the year of the Ox) to 2022 (the year of the Water Tiger). 2023 will be the year of the Rabbit. New Year's Eve (January 31) and New Year's Day (February 1)are the peak times of celebration. Chinese New Year is considered a legal holiday and Chinese people can get 7 days off from work (January 31st to February 6th). In the past, some companies and institutions have allowed from 10 to 15 days off!
Every 12 years is regarded as a cycle because the lunar calendar is also associated with the 12 animal signs in Chinese zodiac. Another name for the Chinese zodiac is Shengxiao. The zodiac animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Many years ago, the zodiac animals played an important role in Chinese culture and were believed to be related with people’s character, career, health and love life. Now people usually consider their zodiac animal as a mascot of good fortune in their year.
The years of the Tiger are as follows: 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034. According to Chinese culture, Tigers are brave, cruel, natural leaders, ambitious, often arrogant, and a symbol of power and “lordliness”. Interestingly, Tigers are also considered the patron deity for children.
Some fun things you may not know!
During the Chinese New Year, the character “Fu” which means good fortune, appears frequently. The Fu is always written on a piece of red diamond-shaped paper. during the Chinese New Year. The character“Fu” is pasted on doors, windows, or walls by every family. Interestingly, the “Fu” is upside down in order to bring good fortune! Why? It’s because both “upside down” and “come” have the same pronunciation in Chinese.
Traditionally, red envelopes containing lucky money (known as “Yasuiqian” in Chinese), were given or sent during the New Year from the older to the younger generation. The “lucky” money was to protect children against evil spirits. In the Han Dynasty (202 BC - 220) lucky money was not given. Instead children received a good luck charm made in shape of a coin. Eventually, real money was distributed in the red envelopes representing good luck, happiness, and best wishes. In our digital age, most people are sending digital red envelopes. In 2018, 600 million red envelopes were sent with the number of red envelopes increasing every year.
Many Chinese companies give red envelopes to their employees, unofficially called a 13th month salary. In other words, employees receive a bonus in the form of double pay in January. This is usually given on the last working day before the Chinese New Year holiday.
Historically, people avoided visiting others on the 3rd day of the New Year, also known as “the day of the Red Dog”. According to Chinese legend, the Red Dog is the God of Anger and on this day, people are more likely to argue with others. It was considered an unlucky day and people even avoid going outside so as not to encounter unlucky things. Some Chinese don’t know this custom because, except in South China, it has gradually been ignored.
The 10th day of the Chinese New Year is considered the birthday of stone ( “Day of Stone”). People show respect to stone by not moving any stone or using stone tools. To do so will cause crops to be damaged by the God of Stone. The tradition is still popular in some rural areas today, where there is even a custom of worshiping the stone and sacrificing baked pancakes!
How the pandemic has affected Chinese New Year celebrations:
Traditionally, during Chinese New Year, millions of Chinese return to their hometowns to be reunited with family and friends. Last year, due to COVID-19, 870 million trips were taken. This is a decrease of 40.8% from 2020 and 70.9% from the pre-pandemic 2019 level.
After its first Omicron case, Beijing, for example, began to tighten inbound travel restrictions. At this point, these restrictions are from January 22 to March 31. Many people, both citizens, travelers, and business people, fear that a sudden outbreak or change in travel restrictions could disrupt their travel. Right now everything depends on when, where, and if outbreaks occur. Restrictions are also dependent on specific local policies and location.
At this time, 29 Chinese provinces and cities have suggested that citizens “celebrate in place”. Many local governments have rolled out policies that would entice and retain employees during the holidays when they would normally be off. Some of these enticements include: red envelopes, consumption vouchers, and some employees are even receiving subsidies!
In the United States, we have seen celebrations rescheduled, decreased in size, and even cancelled altogether. Many people are “celebrating in place” or not at all!
We are all in this together!
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