In modern China, the New Year is celebrated twice a year: together with the whole world (on the night of January 1) and according to the eastern calendar. When does Chinese New Year 2024 start?
The main difference between Chinese New Year is that there is no fixed date for celebration. Each year it is scheduled on a different day. And all because the first day of the New Year always falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice (after December 21). That is, according to the Gregorian calendar, it can be any date from January 21 to February 21. Celebrations in the Middle Kingdom usually last up to 15 days.
When does Chinese New Year 2024 start?
The winter solstice in 2023 was December 22. Therefore, the second young man after this date falls on February 10, 2024. It is on this date that China will celebrate the New Year according to the Eastern calendar. By the way, for the Chinese it will not be 2024, but 4721.
And here will end 2024 according to the Eastern calendar is already January 28, 2025.
New Year 2024: the year of whom
Every year in China there is a combination of elements and a patron, which is repeated every 60 years. It is one of the 12 zodiac animals of a certain color and one of the five elements (Wood, Fire, Metal, Earth, Water). Therefore, the New Year 2024 will be held under the symbol of the Green Wooden Dragon.
It is curious that each sixty-year circle begins with a Wood Rat and ends with a Water Pig. The next such circle began on February 2, 1984 and will end on January 29, 2044.
Chinese New Year: History
According to legend, once upon a time the Chinese were forced to hide every year from a terrible monster called Nian (translated from Chinese as “Year”), who flew into settlements and ate all the crops, livestock, and sometimes even the peasants themselves.
To protect their homes from the monster, the Chinese learned to decorate them with decorative patterns made of red paper, paintings with wishes of health and happiness, and red lanterns. The red color is associated with the fact that one day Nian came to eat, but was afraid of the children dressed in red clothes.
Also, on the eve of the holiday, every family in the Celestial Empire cleans their home to cleanse it of all bad luck and make room for future happiness.
How many days does Chinese New Year last: celebration traditions
On New Year’s Eve, the Chinese gather with the whole family at the festive table. It is customary to cover it a lot; they usually prepare the favorite dishes of all family members, but traditionally there should be meat and fish dishes, jiaozi (dumplings) on it. The latter are a symbol of one of the most important New Year’s wishes – the birth of sons.
Moreover, even those family members who live or study in another city are sure to come for the festive dinner. The celebration ends with festive fireworks, which, according to tradition, are supposed to scare away evil spirits and bring happiness.
The next day, early in the morning, children congratulate their parents, wish them happiness and health in the New Year, and in return receive red envelopes, hongbao, with money. After this, they go to congratulate relatives. Usually the first five days of the year are dedicated to this, because the Chinese have quite large families.
It is customary to give gifts on paired items, which are a symbol of family harmony and unity. Two tangerines are considered special symbols of financial well-being here, so they are always brought to visit, and then they receive the same two as a gift.
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2024-01-03 10:56:31
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