Chinese New Year Customs

Chinese New Year is a time when families get together to celebrate. It is also a special time to remember members of the family who have died. In the days coming up to New Year every family buys presents, decorations, food, new clothes and people have their hair cut. Houses are cleaned from top to bottom. The aim is to sweep out any bad luck from the old year and clear the way for good luck. However, it is bad luck to clean on New Years Day itself.

Chinese New Year decorations on homes in Hong Kong

Families put lights up outside their homes, rather like our Christmas lights. Doors and windows are often newly painted in red. On New Years Eve decorations made from red and gold paper are hung down the doors to bring good luck. These are marked with messages of good fortune such as happiness, prosperity and long life. These mostly have four Chinese characters. These are called Hui Chun. The man in the photograph is writing a message for a customer at his stall.

chinapictures.org

The colour red is chosen for two reasons. The first is because red is a lucky colour and the second because it is supposed to frighten off the monster Nian who is thought to come on New Years Eve. The colour gold represents wealth. Families also decorate their homes with lanterns and put stickers on things in their homes.

You can design and print out your own Hui Chun very easily by visiting the Discover Hong Kong website.

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