Discovering the Emotional Depths of the Chinese New Year: A Cultural Journey; Happy Chinese new year of Rabbit!

Happy Chinese new year of the Rabbit!

I'm going to briefly talking about the Chinese New Year, for the uninitiated, the 3 key things you need to know about this important cultural event.

This chopstick video perfectly capture not only how we use chopsticks but also the emotions it evokes (get tissues ready):

Have you watched the video yet?? If so please read below:

Firstly 壹

let's talk about why the Chinese New Year is so important for Chinese culture and society. The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year (春节 chūn jié) is a time for families to come together and celebrate the end of the previous year and the start of a new one. It's actually a 15-day long festival that begins on the first day of the lunar calendar and ends with the Lantern Festival. 

It is a time for forgiveness, for making amends, and for wishing for good luck and prosperity in the year to come. It is also a time for traditional activities such as lion and dragon dances, firework displays, and the giving of red envelopes 紅包 filled with money. All of these activities are steeped in tradition and have been passed down through generations. They serve to strengthen the bonds between family members and to remind people of the importance of tradition in Chinese culture.

The Chinese New Year is a deeply emotional time in China, as it is the one opportunity of the year for some parents to return home and visit their "留守兒童" (children left behind in rural areas, typically with grandparents). This is a time filled with a complex array of emotions and expectations, shaped by the unique circumstances of each family and the country's overall economic situation. (see above video)

Secondly: 貳

let's talk about how the Chinese New Year is different yet the same as Christmas. Both events are centered around family, tradition, and the giving of gifts. However, while Christmas is a religious event, the Chinese New Year is a cultural event that has its roots in ancient Chinese beliefs and customs. Additionally, while Christmas is celebrated on December 25th, the Chinese New Year is celebrated on a different date each year based on the lunar calendar. But, both events are a time for people to come together and celebrate, and that is what makes them similar.

Thirdly: 叄

let's talk about how understanding the Chinese culture and family core system can bring the rest of the world closer to understanding our culture and maybe detract from the present negative press by the western media. The Chinese culture is rich and diverse, and it is important to understand the importance of family and tradition in Chinese culture. By understanding these core values, people can better understand the actions and decisions of Chinese people (& maybe even the Chinese government, as keeping family together is of paramount importance). This can lead to a greater understanding and acceptance of Chinese culture and can help to counteract any negative stereotypes or misconceptions that may exist in the western media.

For those of you that wanted to keep your age secret!

And for a bonus point, let's talk about the animals sequence for the Chinese zodiac and the year of 2023 (年 nián), which is the year of the rabbit (兔 tù). Each year is represented by one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac (鼠牛虎兔龍蛇馬羊猴雞犬豬) and is believed to have a specific influence on people born in that year (a lot of superstitions in the old days).

The rabbit is considered to be a lucky and peaceful animal and is believed to bring good luck and prosperity in the year of the rabbit. However, it is important to note that telling others your zodiac sign also means you are divulging your own age, as the zodiac cycle repeats every 12 years.

In conclusion, the Chinese New Year is an important celebration that brings families together, promotes forgiveness, and wishes for good luck and prosperity in the year ahead. It's a time for new beginnings, and it's a time for understanding the importance of the Chinese zodiac. And by understanding the Chinese culture, we can bring the world closer together and break down stereotypes.

Let’s enjoy time with friends and family, catchup, and enjoy a bite together (yes one might have to eat 8/9times per day during the festive season.. and yet we can still stay slim!?)

lion and dragon dance in Hong Kong:

good explainer, interactive feature on SCMP here: