Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year Chinese New Year how long does the celebration last?

For more than two thousand years, the Chinese have celebrated the New Year according to the lunar calendar. It comes with the first new moon of the first lunar month. In 2014, Chinese New Year begins on January 31, 2014. The moment of its onset is the night from January 30 to January 31, 2014.

With the introduction of the Gregorian calendar, the Chinese began to call the Lunar New Year holiday Chunjie - the spring festival, because at this time the awakening of nature begins. Chundze is the most favorite holiday among the Chinese. It lasts 15 days - until the full moon.

On New Year's Day in China, red color predominates everywhere - the color of the sun, the color of joy. According to legend, the color red, fire and loud noise scare away a terrible mythological monster with horns on its head named Nian, who lives in the depths of the sea and comes to land on New Year’s Eve. Many people paint the doors and window frames of their houses red.

“Happiness emblems” are placed on buildings - the hieroglyphs shuang (“couple”) and si (“happiness”), which symbolize well-being, wealth, and a joyful event. The interior walls of houses are decorated with cheerful New Year's pictures, pasted or drawn on red paper. Red lanterns of various shapes are hung everywhere. Four- and hexagonal ones are especially popular. Many women also dress in red. When buying new clothes, preference is also given to red.

According to an established tradition, before the New Year, the Chinese must do a general cleaning of the house, pay off debts, buy new clothes, bring gifts to the spirits, and give children red envelopes with coins or small bills - for good luck.

Many New Year's superstitions are associated with the plant world. When preparing for the spring holiday, it is very important to choose flowers and plants that will bring good luck in the coming year. It is believed that kumquat (a type of citrus fruit), daffodils and peonies bring wealth, peach flowers help in love, and tangerine trees strengthen marriage bonds and promote additions to the family.

The main days of the spring festival are considered to be the evening before and the three following days. The Chinese call the first New Year's Eve "the night of meeting after separation." It is customary to spend it with family, paying tribute to the memory and respect of deceased ancestors, for whom a separate festive table is set. On the eve of the coming year, children strive to come to their parents to impress upon them their respect. On New Year's Eve, the youngest try their best to stay awake for as long as possible: after all, according to Chinese belief, the longer they stay awake, the longer their parents will live. Everyone is trying to forget grievances, take steps of reconciliation and show warm relations towards each other. We wish our loved ones wealth and joy in the New Year. There is excitement and happiness all around.

On New Year's Eve, the whole family gathers at the festive table, which is bursting with abundance and variety of dishes. Usually there are dishes made from chicken, fish, and tofu. In northern China, it is common to eat dumplings (jiaozi). In Chinese, the word “jiaozi” is similar to the expression “farewell to the old and welcome to the new.” In addition, dumplings resemble gold and silver ingots in their shape and symbolize wealth. In the south, a traditional dish is niangao (glutinous rice balls), which represents a better life.

On the spring holiday, noisy celebrations, celebrations and fairs take place throughout the country for several days in a row. The most exciting part of the holiday is the street processions, during which lion and dragon dances, stilt performances, acrobats and drummers perform. Until recently, a deafening crash made by firecrackers and firecrackers was a mandatory attribute of the Chuntjie holiday. According to legend, this noise helps scare away the Nian monster and evil spirits. But in last years in many Chinese cities and other countries this fun is completely or partially prohibited, as it is far from safe.

The custom of celebrating the New Year according to the lunar calendar, in addition to China, also exists in the countries of Southeast Asia - Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand. Of course, there are differences in rituals and traditions, but the meaning of the holiday is the same everywhere: welcoming the coming spring, reconciliation with family and friends, wishing them peace, wealth and happiness.

As China moves forward by leaps and bounds, and its role in the international arena grows, and with it cultural expansion, the Lunar New Year is celebrated more and more more people(not Chinese) in the Old and New Worlds. China is in vogue these days.

Today is Chinese New Year or Spring Festival. It comes along with the new moon, which will take place at 23:38 Kyiv time. By Chinese calendar This new moon sets the tone not only for the coming month, but for the entire year. Therefore, now I will briefly describe the meaning of today’s new moon, and in a couple of days I will publish more detailed recommendations for the coming month.

The new moon map, built on the coordinates of Kyiv, gives clear indications that this year the main changes will concern home, family, homeland, i.e. the place where people tend to seek comfort and protection. For those who do not live in Ukraine, the main focus may be shifted to other areas, but the background remains the same for everyone.

What is this background? In the next month (and year) we may go through significant changes– the events in which we will find ourselves will directly affect the change in our values, moral principles, and rules of conduct. These changes will largely occur against our will; external circumstances will have great importance even for very strong and influential individuals. So the main advice for this new moon is to cultivate acceptance - to clear your inner space of unnecessary desires, worries, suffering and allow what happens to happen. We may not understand why we need what is happening to us now, but after some time understanding will come.

This new moon occurs simultaneously with the station of Venus in front of her. This position of the planets helps us consolidate the personal changes that have occurred in us over the past month and a half for a fairly long period of time (at least a year). Now we are coming out of a long period of revaluation of personal relationships, perception of beauty and justice, and are entering the New Year with a qualitatively changed perception of what is happening. The new quality of perception will allow us to act more confidently throughout the year. (More on the passing Venus retrograde period in my post of December 13, 2013).

The coming year is also interesting because it will often evoke in us sentimental feelings and a desire to do good deeds. However, the main motivation for action may not be compassion and the very fact of helping those in need, but how our actions will be appreciated by society. But even if you catch yourself showing off, you probably shouldn’t stop. Thanks to such ostentatious nobility, many useful things can be done in the world.

I wish we all find the strength to accept what we cannot change. I wish us not to be afraid of change. I wish you sincere impulses and their joyful implementation. I wish you simply happiness in living every moment to the fullest. Happy New Year!

Europeans have already safely celebrated the onset of the year of the green wooden Horse, but it will officially come into its own only on the night of January 30-31, because it is at this moment that, according to the Chinese calendar, the Snake will give way to its follower. And today we will tell you how to celebrate this event.

When to celebrate the Year of the Horse

If you are going to celebrate the Chinese New Year, then it is worth remembering that it does not come exactly at midnight, but with the onset of the new moon, that is, it coincides with the beginning of the new lunar month and the first lunar day. This time it will happen on January 31 at 1:39 Moscow time.

However, until half past two in the morning there will also be something to do - set the table, collect your thoughts, remember all the good things that the year of the Snake has given you, and sincerely thank its wise patroness. Don’t fuss, do everything slowly - this is the last opportunity to act measuredly, since with the advent of the Year of the Horse you can forget about slowness.

How to prepare for Chinese New Year

Despite the fact that the Horse is a democratic creature, and will not be offended by you if you meet it in beautiful, but already worn clothes, according to Chinese tradition, it is customary to buy a new outfit for every New Year's Eve. Therefore, it is worth updating your wardrobe - even if it is a set of underwear, shoes or a stole.

By the way, new and comfortable shoes for the Year of the Horse are especially relevant - the period ahead is dynamic, you will have to spend a lot of time on your feet, so it is better to prepare for this in advance. This way you will show the patroness of the year that you will accept all the benefits that she gives, even if you have to “run” for this.

Also, do some deep cleaning. Before their New Year, the Chinese always clear out all their closets, throw away unnecessary things, and get rid of everything that in one way or another might remind them of the failures that happened in the previous year. Putting things in order for them is not just a hygienic procedure, but a kind of magical ritual that helps renew the vitality and positive energy of their home.

How to decorate your apartment for Chinese New Year

We have already written that the iconic colors of the Year of the Horse will be green, blue and azure. But when celebrating the Chinese New Year, these shades are only relevant for New Year’s outfits (the dress can be deep blue, electric blue) and for the color of the Horse figurine (preferably, it should be green). In the house, according to tradition, red decorations should predominate - Chinese lanterns, silk ribbons, flowers, balls and other holiday attributes. True, the Chinese buy red outfits every year, but in this particular case this may not be adhered to - the Horse will come wooden, and Wood, as you know, is not very friendly with Fire (red is the color of the fire element).

In addition, when creating a New Year's entourage, do not forget about oranges and tangerines - these fruits symbolize the sun, wealth, and a harmonious combination of material and spiritual values. Create a tabletop composition: place a handful of rice or oats on a large dish, a few bright fruits on top of the grains, decorate it all with coins and twigs of any plant.

How to celebrate Chinese New Year 2014

It is also recommended to purchase postcards with various good wishes and, having made small holes in them and making loops from red ribbons, hang them around the apartment - on windows, chandeliers, floor lamps and sconces, on door handles. This is an old tradition, this is how the Chinese wish happiness for themselves, those around them and good spirits.

If you are going to celebrate the Chinese New Year in the company of relatives and friends, then at the end of the holiday, invite them to choose a card. The wish written in it will definitely come true for the person who receives it.

By the way, don’t forget to add a few lines from yourself to the printed text and stick a golden coin inside the card - this way you will show your loved ones that they are dear to you and attract wealth to them.

How to celebrate Chinese New Year

New Year's table

Prepare treats in advance, as traditionally you cannot pick up a knife on New Year's Day. When meeting a wooden Horse, you should put on the table everything that grows on trees and on the ground in general, that is, the basis of the New Year's table menu should be plant foods - vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, cereals. This way you will ensure a prosperous existence for the whole year ahead.

It is better to abstain from meat - the Chinese never eat it on New Year's Eve, as it is believed that it scares away happiness and good luck. Replace meat delicacies with fish (they are no less tasty and nutritious), and everything will turn out just fine for you in the coming year.

New Year's entertainment

In fact, the festive table for the Horse is not the main thing. What is much more important to her is not what you will eat, but how you will have fun, so think through the New Year's Eve program in advance. The more active the games and competitions are, the better. At the same time, do not forget that not only children and youth, but also adults should play.

How to celebrate Chinese New Year 2014

The theme of the night can be a treasure hunt or some kind of virtual journey. In addition, create riddles related to each specific person who will be present at the New Year celebration.

Be sure to include a walk in your entertainment program, and also purchase red wishing lanterns, candles for them and fireworks in advance - it all has a sacred meaning. The horse loves freedom and space, so it’s simply cramped within four walls, so after taking a walk fresh air, you will show respect to the patroness of the year, and lanterns are a long-standing Chinese tradition that has already found its fans in our country.

When releasing such a lantern into the sky and making a wish, turn to the Universe. She will certainly hear you, and all her plans will come true. In addition, it is also incredibly beautiful and romantic - several lights rise up at once, and the people below watch their flight with bated breath.

Chinese New Year - Lantern Festival

Chinese New Year will begin on the new moon on January 30 at 11:20 pm Pacific Time, when many calendars will already be January 31, 2014.

However, the beginning of the astrological Chinese New Year - 2014 Year of the Horse, will occur on February 4, 2014, Chinese Standard Time.

As we can see, not only does the Chinese New Year not coincide with the beginning of the new year in the Western tradition, but also the astrological Chinese New Year does not coincide with the beginning of the new year in China.

The Chinese New Year begins on the first lunar day of the second new moon after the winter solstice.

The astrological Chinese New Year begins with the beginning of spring - the time when the sun enters the three hundred and fifteenth degree of the tropical zodiac. In 2014, spring in China will begin on February 4, 2014. It is then that the real year of the Wooden Horse will begin, which, according to various sources, will be either blue or green.

Different colour Wooden Horse attributed due to the fact that in Chinese, as, by the way, in some other Asian languages ​​(for example, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai), blue and green colors are traditionally denoted by the same word, although each color has its own designation.

Therefore, the upcoming New Year 2014 gives us all the opportunity to choose: those who want will celebrate the year of the Blue Wooden Horse, while others prefer the Green Horse.

It just so happens that in Russian-language sources this year is increasingly called the year of the blue horse, so we will focus on this color.

Chinese New Year, which begins on January 31, 2014, in China will actually be 2014, but 4712.

With the advent of the astrological Chinese New Year - the Year of the Blue Wooden Horse, the month of the Fire Tiger also begins, which significantly enhances energy and vitality with the onset of this year and marks a clear departure from the "slow" energy of the previous 2013 - the Year of the Water Snake.

In Chinese astrology, the Year of the Horse is considered a lucky year that brings good events. The Magic Horse has supernatural powers, is brave, strong, and can even fly! Living on snow-white clouds, the Horse is a sacred animal of the Chinese goddess Guan Yin. Her White horse flies across the sky, bringing peace and blessings.

The horse is considered a heroic animal in China because important battles were won thanks to the strength and power of the horse.

How to celebrate New Year in China

To celebrate Chinese New Year, people wear red clothes, write poems on red paper, and give children "lucky money" in red envelopes.

The color red symbolizes fire, which, according to legend, can ward off bad luck. The Chinese New Year is celebrated with fireworks, which is a tradition and has its roots in ancient rites, when the Chinese set fire to bamboo stalks, the crackling of which would drive away evil spirits.

In China, New Year is a time of family reunion. Family members gather at home and eat holiday dishes together. Family New Year's dinner is the most important part of the holiday.

Chinese New Year is the longest and most important holiday for the Chinese. Typically, the celebration turns into a festival, which traditionally begins on the first day of the first lunar month and ends with the Lantern Festival, which is held on the fifteenth day of the first month of the lunar calendar. Some of the lanterns are true works of art, painted with images of birds, animals, flowers, zodiac signs and scenes from legends or historical events.

People hang glowing lanterns in temples and carry them during the evening parade under the light of the full moon.

In many parts of China, the highlight of the Lantern Festival is the dragon dance. The dragon, which can stretch 30 meters in length, is usually made of silk, paper and bamboo. Usually the Dragon swings above the dancing young people.

Chinese horoscope for 2014 for all signs Rat Ox Tiger

Horse Dragon Snake