The New Year celebrations last for 15 days until the full moon. In return elders present red bags to the younger generation, wishing them smooth progress in the year ahead.ĭragon and lion dances are common during Chinese New Year and it is thought that the colourful masks and beat of the drums scare off bad spirits. The younger generation celebrates with the elders, wishing them good health and longevity. The dumplings contain different fillings and symbolise wealth as they resemble the ancient shape of gold bars.Īt New Year, it’s traditional to visit family and friends. It’s also common to let off firecrackers to ward off evil spirits.Ī popular food is ‘jiaozi’ – dumplings boiled in water. At midnight fireworks are lit to herald the arrival of the New Year. It was called ‘smoke flower’ because it was originally used during the Spring Festival and is still integral to the celebrations. 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.ĭoors are decorated with narrow red paper strips called couplets which symbolise good fortune, happiness, wealth and longevity. Here are some we’ve read about:Ĭhinese New Year is a time when families get together to celebrate and they gather for reunion dinners on New Year's Eve.

People greet each other with a hearty ‘Xin Nian Kuai Le’ (‘Happy New Year’).Ĭhina is a huge country and New Year customs vary by region. Also known as the Spring Festival, in China the public holiday is the biggest celebration of the year. Instead, it’s determined by the new moon that appears between 21 January and 21 February. Unlike New Year here in the United Kingdom, Chinese New Year doesn’t have a fixed date.

Royal mint chinese new year coins