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The Lunar New Year
Keywords
Lunar New Year, festival, Chinese New Year, migration, celebration, new moon, full moon, red, Nian, tradition, zodiac, animals, 2023 rabbit.
Introduction
Having many other names, the Lunar New Year is a time for celebration, reunion, and holds one of the biggest migration of people for a new year. It is also commonly known as Chinese New Year. The Lunar New Year is the first new moon of the calendar year, and the festival lasts until the first full moon of the calendar year.
History
Traditionally, it is story of legend that would scare us even now in modern days. Like one such legend, Nian, who was a hideous beast that would feast on human flesh on New Year's Day. A way to combat Nian was to create red decorations and use fireworks and lanterns were burnt all night. These were Nian's fears, and these would keep the beast away.
The principle of the festival is thought to originate in the 14th Century BCE. This was during the Shang dynasty of rule. Another tradition of the festival is the use of a dragon, with many people having dragon dancing, a long parade of a dragon puppet is paraded through streets.
And now?
About 10 days before the Lunar New Year, houses are cleaned vigorously, so that they rid them of any bad luck that may linger. This is a custom called "sweeping of the grounds".
Interesting fact: the Lunar New Year is given one of 12 zodiac animals. 2023 is the year of the rabbit.
The use of red, although traditional, is still used, and shows prosperity. Also, another tradition is that at the end of the celebration, a massive reunion family dinner is held in the elder's house.
Use of Calendars
Most of the Western world uses a Gregorian calendar to signify what day it is, and modern China does the same. But it's holidays are governed by a traditional lunisolar calendar. The Lunar New Year was renamed after the introduction of this calendar in 1912, and it was called Spring Festival. It's themes rely strongly on reunion and hope. It lasts (in China) for 40 days has several sub-festivals included within. For China (sorry, not in the UK), it is a 7 day bank holiday.
Migration
So, I mentioned migration. This is one of the biggest migrations of the year. It's called the chunyun, and involves moving families together in order for the festivities to begin. Millions of people move from one area of China to the other. It clogs up all forms of travel to even more than their already busy state.
Here is a YouTube video from The Little Genius Workshop to explain Chinese New Year:
The Planets
