Of all festivals in the Chinese calendar, the New Year is without
doubt the most colourful and important. It is celebrated on the first
day of the First Moon of the lunar Calendar and so varies every year
from late January to early February. On New Year's Eve families get
together for a meal and eat jiaoxi, or dumplings. Children are given red
lucky money packets but their parents to wish them luck throughout the
year. At midnight fireworks light up the sky. On New Year's Day, people
visit relatives, friends and neighbours to wish them peace and
happiness. These traditions are passed down through the years – but how
did it all start?
The story goes that there was once a beast called
Niah who swallowed up people on earth. He terrified of loud noises and
the colour red and, just in case he came back, the people of China put
up red decorations and let off firecrackers to scare him away. Red is
now considered a licky cokour.
The festival traditionally ends on
the 15th day of the lunar month with the Lantern Festival when the
streets are filled with dragon dances. It is thought that the longer the
dragon's tail, the more good he brings to the community.
Chines New
Year customs vary from place to place. However the celebrations have
the same meaning all over the world – to wish for peace, good luck and
happiness