10 Things you didn’t know about Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is the biggest festival among the Chinese population across the world and that includes 20% of the total world population. In Singapore also this is the most awaited time of the year. The schools, colleges, universities, and most of the offices remain shut during this festival. People return to their families to spend quality time and make new memories. It is customary to exchange Chinese New Year gifts amongst friends and family members and to wish each other a prosperous year ahead.

Here are 10 interesting things that you didn’t know about Chinese New Year

1. You would be fascinated to learn that 1/6th of the world’s population celebrates Chinese New Year. It is a Chinese festival but it is not limited to China. People residing in Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, and many other Asian countries celebrate it with great fun and excitement.
2. In China, this festival is also known as the Spring festival. This festival marks the end of the winter season and starts the spring season. People start with new harvests and plants and that’s why this festival is marked with new beginnings in life.
3. Do you know that there is no particular date set for CNY? As per the lunar calendar, Chinese New Year occurs anywhere between 21st January and 20th February.
4. Chinese New Year starts a new animal’s zodiac year. As per Chinese beliefs, each lunar cycle has 60 years and a small cycle has 12 years. These 12 years are defined by an animal sign and they are- Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. 2020 is going to be the year of the Rat.
5. Traveling during Chinese New Year records a massive growth every year. This period usually sees the largest human migration in the world. In 2017, there were 3 billion trips by land, rail, sea, and air over 40 days.
6. CNY is a 15-day long festival and the peak time is the Chinese New Year’s Eve and the 1st day of Chinese New Year. The 15th day or the last day is celebrated as Lantern Festival.
7. One can say that Chinese New Year sees the world’s largest usage of firecrackers. There are myths that firecrackers keep evil spirits away. The fancy firecrackers light up the sky and entertain people.
8. Another interesting fact about the Chinese New Year is that showering is not allowed on New Year’s Day. Sweeping is also not allowed till the 5th. The Chinese people believe that by showering and sweeping the good luck will wash away.
9. During those 15 days of celebration hair cutting, breaking things, using swear words, and speaking unlucky words like “death” or “sickness” are also not allowed.
10. Red is the colour of this festival. This color scares off the evil and also symbolizes prosperity, good fortune, happiness, energy, and new beginnings.