The legend of Nian

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The legend of Nian

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When to celebrate the Chinese New
Year?

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Tranditional custom
1.stick spring
couplets/scrolls
Chinese characters that are
auspicious for the coming
year are generally written
on two pieces of red paper
with ink and a brush, and
glued by the sides of the
doors.

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2.Paste up/stick the character of Fu
The character Fu, or
“happiness” is usually
written on red diamondshaped posters. They are
usually stuck upside down
on the doors. This is
because the Chinese
character dao (upside down)
has the same sound as
another dao, which means
“arrive”. Placing Fu upside
down symbolizes the arrival
of happiness.

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3.Set off fireworks/
firecrackers
This helps scare off the Nian and
brings good fortune at the beginning
of the year and good luck throughout
the year.

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4.Pay lunar New Year’s calls/visits; give
Spring Festival greetings
It’s important that you
pay relatives and friends
a new year’s call .
People give each other
best wishes and gifts.
This is also a time for
the younger generation
to bow (kowtow) to the
elders for health, good
fortune, work, and so on
and to get a red
package in return.

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5.Lucky money/ red envelop
For many young people,
Chinese new year is just as
much about yasuiqian —
money in red envelopes
traditionally given to children.
On the Chinese mainland, kids
get red envelopes at home
from their parents and
relatives.

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New Year taboos
1.Words can reflect New Year taboos.
People tend to, for example, avoid negative words, such
as “failing”, “dying”, and “illness” during New Year’s
celebrations. Breaking a dish is another taboo in some
places
2.People do not carry the garbage out or
clean the house on New Year’s Day or for the
rest of the Spring Festival holiday, for fear of
sweeping away good luck.

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3.Breaking:(Sui)
Never break a bowl, plate, glass, vase, or mirror,
because breaking may result in money loss and family
split in the future. The remedy is to say, “Sui Sui Ping
An,” which means safe and sound every year. The
pronunciation of Chinese character Year ( 岁 Sui) and
Broken ( 碎 Sui) are the same, so people use the
homophones to expel bad luck.
4.Using Scissors:
Just like doing needlework, using scissors is
an omen for possible quarrels with others.
If people want to go through the year
peacefully, it is a big ‘NO’ to use that tool
during the first lunar month.

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5.Getting a Haircut:
People should not get their hair cut during
the first lunar month, for it indicates the
death of their uncle (mother's brother).
Although it sounds absurd, people are
glad to abide by this tradition.
6.Dressing in Rags or Wearing in Black and
White:
ragged or dirty dressing symbolizes
poverty and misfortune, and should be
avoided. Besides, dressing in black and
white is only applicable to woefully dour
occasions like funerals and mourning
ceremonies.

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Things to remember
1.Nowhere to hang out
The Chinese New Year is not for
people to hang out, but to get
together with their family. Many
stores will be closed during the
holiday.
2.Eating and eating more
If you are invited over to join your
Chinese friends, be ready for a lot of
food. People's favorite
entertainment during CNY is eating
and eating more. And be prepared
for a lot of liquor as well.

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WISH YOU A HAPPY NEW YEA