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Chinese Lunar New Year

February 16 · Taoism and Chinese tradition · Eastern traditions

Moveable date

Esoteric and historical meaning

Second new moon after the winter solstice: renewal of the cosmic mandate, seeing off the Kitchen God who reports to Heaven on the family.

Operative mechanics — ritual acts

·Cleaning the house before the new year (never during: you'd sweep away the luck).
·Family reunion dinner on New Year's Eve and staying up all night.
·Firecrackers and lion dance to drive away the monster Nian.

Traditional foods

·Jiaozi dumplings
·Whole fish (partially left over)
·Niangao rice cake
·Tangerines

Offerings

·Honey or sweets on the mouth of the Kitchen God's image
·Incense for the ancestors

Taboos to respect

·Do not sweep or wash hair on the first day
·Do not break objects
·Do not speak words of death or misfortune

Associated symbols

Red · Red envelopes · Dragon · Firecrackers