Chinese New Year 2016: Invitation To Good Luck & Prosperity

It's time to welcome prosperity and happiness to your homes, as Chinese New Year 2016 is beginning on February 8. Celebrated as the longest traditional holiday of the year, Chinese New Year is definitely merry making time for the people of China. Let us get into the festive mood now.

Chinese New Year 2016 - An Introduction & Date

Chinese New Year is a festival which last for about 15 to 23 days. In 2016, Chinese New Year is celebrated from February 8 and wil going to end on the 15th day of first Lunar month. Each and every day of Chinese New Year is celebrated with great zest and zeal. The huge celebrations come to an end with 'Lantern festival', which is celebrated on the last day.

People pay homage to their ancestors, worship God, organize special family dinners, spend time with relatives and perform rituals to bring peace and prosperity. Let's move forward by unveiling the legend behind celebrating Chinese new year.

Chinese New Year 2016 - Legend Behind The Celebrations

Like all festivals, Chinese New Year also has a popular legend behind its celebration. Interesting thing about this legend is that it tells about the significance of 'red color' in celebrating Chinese new year.

According to the mythological stories, it is believed that once there was a wicked demon named, "Nian". To satisfy his hunger, he used to visit the villages of China on the eve of every New Year. Crops, livestock, villagers, especially children were his food. For saving their lives from that monster, villagers prayed to God.

One day, God visited the villagers and told them to put red paper cuttings at the entrance of their house and light firecrackers. Villagers understood that the beast was afraid of red color and crackers; hence, they followed the suggestion.

From that time, it became a tradition in China to light firecrackers and decorate houses with red color paper cuttings and lights on every New Year.

Chinese New Year 2016 - 15-Day Celebration

Now comes the time to discuss each day of this 15 days long festival. Let's start with the first day.

Chinese New Year 2016 - First Day

Chinese New Year celebrations begin with the welcoming of gods and deities from heaven. Several rituals are performed to bring in happiness and prosperity. This includes abstaining from eating meat, using knives, brooms, and fire, as it is believed that they bring bad luck on New Year.

Apart from these, they lit crackers, visit the old members of the family, and exchange money as gift in red envelopes for improving good luck.

Chinese New Year 2016 - Second Day

On the second day of the celebrations, married women visit their parents, relatives and close friends. Second day is also celebrated as the birthday of Chinese deity, Che Kung. On this day, people visit Che Kung temples and pray for prosperity & good luck. Most Chinese people start their business on this day with a belief of getting bestowed with fortune and success.

Chinese New Year 2016 - Third Day

Third day of Chinese New Year is popularly known as 'red mouth'. It is believed that this is an inauspicious day for visiting relatives and friends; hence, people avoid meeting them. On this day, people visit temples and please the deity for good luck.

Chinese New Year 2016 - Fourth Day

In some parts of China, the work routine returns to normal on the fourth day, where people celebrate New Year for only three days.

Chinese New Year 2016 - Fifth Day

Fifth day is celebrated as God of wealth's birthday. People lit firecrackers in honor of the almighty and pray for good luck and prosperity.

Chinese New Year 2016 - Sixth Day

Many businessmen return to their business on the sixth day with celebrations and fireworks.

Chinese New Year 2016 - Seventh Day

Seventh day is celebrated as the birthday of a common man. Therefore, it is believed that everyone grows one year older on this day. It is popularly known as �Renri'. Seventh day is also celebrated as the birthday of lord of Devas (of Buddhist) named, Sakra.

Chinese New Year 2016 - Eighth Day

On the eighth day of celebrations, businessmen host special lunch or dinner for their employees and thank them for working throughout the year.

Chinese New Year 2016 - Ninth Year

Ninth day is celebrated as the birthday of Jade emperor, the ruler of heaven. People make special offerings, especially from sugarcane to gain good luck and prosperity form the emperor. Other deities are also honored with offerings like Chinese noodles, cakes, vegetable bowls and unripe betel etc.

Chinese New Year 2016 - Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Day

The three consecutive days: tenth, eleventh, and twelfth are celebrated in form of birthday party of Jade emperor. People organize special dinner parties with relatives and friends, and visit the houses of near and dear ones.

Chinese New Year 2016 - Thirteenth Day

On the thirteenth day, Chinese people concentrate on cleansing the internal system and stomach by having light vegetarian food. Thirteenth day is also dedicated to late army general, Guan Yu. People remember him for his truthfulness, loyalty, strength, and justice and consider him as the god of wealth and success.

Chinese New Year 2016 - Fourteenth Day

The preparations for the Lantern festival begin from the fourteenth day.

Chinese New Year 2016 - Fifteenth Day

Fifteenth day is the last day of New Year celebrations and this marks a very important festival 'Lantern festival'. Family members and relatives come together and take part in parade or procession from home to temples carrying red lighted lamps.

In Malaysia and Singapore, this day is celebrated as a special day for singles. They search for their love interest by using different ways.

Chinese New Year 2016 - Other Attractions

Apart from these great celebrations, there are some other attractions of the festival as well. Let's throw a light on them:

Chinese New Year 2016 - Traditional Dishes

Chinese people consume traditional Chinese dishes to increase the good luck of new year. Their traditional food includes Buddha's delight (a vegetarian dish), chicken, fish, Leek, Jau gok, Jiaozi (dumplings), Mandarin Oranges, Noodles, sweets and cakes.

Chinese New Year 2016 - Clothes

During the celebrations of Chinese New Year, Chinese people mostly wear red clothes, because they believe red color brings good luck and wealth.

Chinese New Year 2016 - Some Important Traditions

According to Chinese traditions, it is important to carry some items (like oranges and tangerine) while visiting anybody's house as a symbol of love, togetherness and luck. These items are considered as the symbols of abundant happiness and togetherness.

Candy Tray is another very important part of the Chinese New Year celebrations. This tray includes candied dry fruits and pieces of red paper which is a symbol of good luck.

Candied Dry Fruits & Their Significance

• Candied melon - good health and growth
• Red melon seeds - joy, happiness, truth and sincerity
• Lychee nut - strong family relationship
• Cumquat - prosperity
• Coconut - togetherness
• Peanuts - long life
• Longman - many good sons
• Lotus seed - many children

Chinese New Year is celebrated for inviting good luck and prosperity. Celebrate Chinese new year 2016 in the best way by following the traditions & customs of Chinese people. Call your loved ones, make some plans and dive into the world of fun and joy.

AstroSage wishes you a happy and prosperous Chinese New Year 2016!