How Is Chinese New Year Different From Regular New Year Celebrations?

The past week has seen many Oriental food specials and festivals, all in favour of Chinese New Year. The abundance of Sichuan dumplings and matcha tea aside, what really is the difference between Chinese New Year and the regular New Year celebrations and why does it take place? Today, we're answering those questions.

Chinese New Year is one of Asia's Lunar New Years as its occurrence depends on the waxing and waning of the moon. The culture follows the lunisolar calendar, hence, Chinese New Year falls on new moon day which in 2018 was on the 16th of February. However, unlike the generally followed Gregorian calendar, which means festivities end come January 2nd, Chinese New Year celebrations go on for much longer.

Much like NYE, celebrations start from the day before Chinese New Year with dinner. According to Wikipedia, this includes eating dumplings at midnight as they were considered a symbol of wealth. This is followed by prayers and in recent times, firework displays and countdowns. On Chinese New Year's Day, deities are welcomed home while fireworks and incense are lit to chase away evil spirits. The lion or dragon dance is also a popular tradition which brings in the year and drives away spirits. Married family members distribute red envelopes with cash to younger family members as a form of blessing and to usher health and wealth in the year to come.

Chinese New Year is then celebrated for the next 7 to 15 days with a number of traditional Chinese customs. This includes the God of wealth's birthday on day 5, birthday of the Jade Emperor on day 9 with sugarcane offerings and the lantern festival on the final day. All celebrations throughout the days are filled with fireworks, traditional ingredients, prayer rituals and plenty of feasting.

As their cultural calendar is linked to a Chinese zodiac with animals, 2018 has ushered in the Year Of The Dog. Those born during this year as well as during 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 all share the dog as their Chinese zodiac sign. According to Chinese Zodiac, those under this zodiac sign are said to be honest and loyal along with being stubborn.

Here's to an exciting Year Of The Dog ahead.