Hi, CMBC members! Xīn Nián Kuài Lè 新年快乐 (Happy New Year)! The Chinese New Year (also called the Lunar New Year and Spring Festival) starts on January 22, 2023, and lasts 15 days. This is a festive time filled with feasting, visiting friends and family, and celebrating with a Lantern Festival, which will be held on February 5, 2023.
Year of the Rabbit
A zodiac animal represents each year of the Chinese calendar, and 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit. The Rabbit is the fourth zodiac animal and symbolizes the moon. Its characteristics are kindness, confidence, and strength.
Celebrations and Traditions
There are many ways to celebrate the Chinese New Year, and here are just a few!
Hóng Bāo 红包 (Red Envelopes): Money is tucked inside red envelopes and given to people as a symbolic way of wishing them good fortune in the new year.
Yuan Xiao 元宵节 (Lantern Festival): This year, the Lantern Festival will be held on February 5. The festival dates back 2,000 years ago, and the celebration continues with the lighting of lanterns of all shapes and sizes. Games and lion and dragon dances are also part of the celebration.
Cleaning and Decorating: Before the Spring Festival begins on January 22, families clean their houses to "sweep away bad luck" and welcome good luck into their homes. After cleaning their homes, many people will decorate their houses. Popular decorations include red lanterns, plants, flowers, couplets (good wishes written on paper and typically shown in pairs), and paper cuttings.
May the Year of the Rabbit bring you happiness and good fortune! You can celebrate the Chinese New Year with these free activities! Click the image below to download your copy.
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