Well, the Chinese New Year is just a couple weeks away - and we are about to enter the year of the rabbit! You've probably seen pictures of or have heard about some Chinese New Year festivities, but have you ever taken part in them yourself? While there are plenty of ways to celebrate at home (especially in urban areas with larger immigrant populations), the best way to celebrate the Chinese New Year is while studying Chinese in China!
Leading up to New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, families clean their homes and sometimes decorate the outsides of their homes to welcome the tidings of the new year. Families return home to celebrate together, and lots of special delicacies are prepared.
Then, the fun begins! The first day begins at midnight, and is marked by delicious food and fireworks displays. The second day is for select prayer and in many cases marks the day that married women come home to visit their parents. The third through fourteenth days are marked by unique and meaningful traditions, such as not eating meat, praying to the Jade Emperor, making dumplings to honor the God of Wealth, and more.
Finally, the celebrations come to an explosive halt on the fifteenth day. This is when the Lantern Festival happens, and townspeople gather on the street after consuming delicious sweet rice balls and other baked treats. Many people put lanterns outside of their houses and bring them on the street with them to guide wayward spirits home.
Studying Chinese in China during the Chinese New Year can be an unforgettable experience. Before you plan your trip, see which schools are closed on which dates, as many areas of China only close shop for the first day or few days of the new year.
For more information on Chinese in China, visit:
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