In China, but also in other Asian countries such as Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia or Malaysia, the new year does not start on January 1st. Indeed, their calendar is different from the one we use.
Our Gregorian calendar follows the cycle of the Earth around the Sun, in 365 days; that’s why our New Year is on a fixed date. The Chinese calendar is lunisolar. That is to say, it is based both on the movements of the Earth around the Sun and on the cycles of the Moon to count the months and to set the dates of festivals and important events. It therefore follows the phases of the Moon and the months are based on lunar cycles. Then, days are added to the final calculation so that the solar months and lunar months coincide.
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The traditional Chinese New Year meal
To know the date of the New Year, China uses the lunar calendar, which follows the phases of the Moon. Thus, each lunar month begins at the new Moon and lasts approximately 29.5 days. The first day of the first month of the lunar calendar is therefore the Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year. The date is different each year, but is always between January 21 and February 19. This year 2024, the New Year is celebrated on February 10 and it will be the year of the dragon.
Indeed, in this calendar, an animal of the zodiac is associated with each year. And there are 12 of them. These animals are rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. These same animals return every twelve years – the next year of the dragon (animal considered the most powerful of the twelve signs of the zodiac) will therefore be celebrated in 2036.
To celebrate the New Year, the Chinese like to share a meal with their family. The dishes are numerous, vary from one region to another and often have a symbolic meaning – to bring luck or health for example. Among the traditional dishes, there are:
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Ravioli or “jiaozi” often stuffed with vegetables, meat or seafood. They are traditionally prepared as a family. Their moon shape evokes Chinese ingots, symbolizing wealth.
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Noodles, symbol of longevity. The longer they are, the longer it is said that the people invited will live.
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A fish served whole, which represents abundance – it is pronounced “yu” like the word meaning “surplus”. This means that people will not lack anything during the year.
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Chicken, symbol of family unity; duck, for health.
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Nian gao, a sticky rice cake, a sign of prosperity.
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Round, golden fruits, like oranges or tangerines, which represent luck.
READ ALSO Why do we make good resolutions at the start of the year? In China, the meal does not take place in a defined order, with starter, main course then dessert. All the dishes are placed on the table, often on a rotating tray, and each guest serves themselves as they wish. Everyone also has a bowl of rice.
During the Spring Festival, which lasts for regarding two weeks, people enjoy setting off firecrackers, watching fireworks or dragon dances, walking in parks or playing family games like mah -jong. And we offer and we receive red envelopes called hong baowhich contain money.
The Spring Festival is the most important of the year. It ends on the fifteenth day of the first month of the lunar calendar with the Lantern Festival. That evening, we will admire lanterns of various colors and shapes and we eat sweet rice balls called tangyuan.
* Nathalie Louisgrand, teacher-researcher, Grenoble School of Management (GEM).
