How to Celebrate Chinese New Year at Home

This February 12, 2021, the Chinese community welcomes the New Year of the Ox. Being a significant contributor to the agriculture sector, it is associated with the qualities of diligence, honesty, and loyalty. In Chinese culture, it is related to the Earthly Branch Chǒu (丑) which connotes solidarity and steadiness. Meanwhile, it is also analogous to the yin component of the yin and yang (阴阳) symbol that represents the passive and accepting side of the spectrum. It is believed these additional associations and the characteristics of the ox have great synergy and are mostly favorable.

Unlike the typical New Year celebration, Chinese New Year runs for sixteen days and is filled with numerous traditional celebratory activities with symbolic customs. This is also considered to be the most important celebration as Chinese people believe that whatever they do on the first day of the lunar year, will create a ripple effect on their luck during the whole year.

Here is a short guide to tell you how most Chinese people celebrate Chinese New Year.

Reuniting with family and friends

Just like in Western cultures, Chinese New Year connotes a time to bond with close relatives and friends. Thus, Chinese people make it to a point that they go back to their way home to attend the annual New Year’s Eve reunion dinner with the whole clan to enjoy a hearty meal, drinking, and cooking feasting together in cheerful conversation and laughter.

Share the “lucky money”

At this time of the year, children and unmarried adults are given cash sealed in red envelopes called “hong bao” in mandarin. Employers also often give it to their employees as gratitude. This exchange of “lucky money” symbolizes fortune and abundance.

Traditional Foods

For the Fil-Chi Community, Chinese New Year equals Tikoy! Tikoys are glutinous rice cakes that originally came from the Southern part of China. It symbolizes positivity for what is yet to come. On the other hand, for the Northern part of China, people prepare dumplings representing prosperity. The mandatory course on all Chinese households includes steamed or braised fish, chicken, duck, pork dishes. Various kinds of dishes are associated with meanings that constitute Chinese culture and tradition.

Let us all welcome the goodness of the Year of the Ox with openness and hope. Regardless of your race and accustomed traditions, I hope this new year will bring you prosperity.