Chinese New Year 2020: when it starts and ends

Not only in Russia, but also in China, the New Year is celebrated twice. For the first time, residents of the country celebrate it, like the whole world, on the night of January 1st. The traditional onset of spring, which is considered the most important for the citizens of the Celestial Empire and takes a long period of time, comes according to the local calendar. At this time, all old traditions and customs are observed, and no one violates the basic tenets of the Chinese New Year.

Chinese New Year Date - How to Determine When

The celebration does not have a specific date, it falls on2 new moon after December 21 - the time of the winter solstice. In different years, it can be celebrated from January 21 to February 20.

Important! Chinese New Year 2020 starts on January 25 at 5:03 PM (Beijing Time), and the official holiday is on January 24-29.

This event has a second name - "lunar new year". The name arose due to the fact that the time of its holding is determined by the phases of the moon.

New Year's festivities, according to the norms accepted in society, will begin to end in 15 days. In the last hours, the Lantern Festival takes place - they are lit on all streets.

It is noteworthy that the Chinese calendar claims that now is not 2020, but 4718 (according to its chronology).

What is the name of the New Year in China

The literal translation from Chinese reads, "Chinese NG" is the Spring Festival. It is considered the main and longest-running event, which is celebrated in almost all countries of East Asia.

The first day traditionally begins with the launch of firecrackers, fireworks and burning incense. They help scare away evil spirits from people, call happiness and peace into the family. The evening is devoted to welcoming the deities in the house - they went away to report on the past year in the world of spiritual beings. After that, a tribute is paid to their ancestors.

Important! Spring awakens sleeping nature. Chinese citizens believe that at this time the earth revives and the sprouts of life that it kept in its bowels are activated.

2020 Chinese New Year Official Celebration Dates

The government of the Celestial Empire has appointed another official time of rest for citizens of the country - the weekend from January 24 to 29, inclusive, but the holiday itself lasts almost 7 days (in practice, they start celebrating on January 23rd).

Chinese New Year - when it starts and ends

2020 begins on the Chinese calendar from January 25. The Chinese celebrate the coming of Spring for a long time. The last performances and events related to the new year will only end by February 8th.

2020 of what animal

What year has come in China: this is the time of the Metal or Golden Rat. The symbol changes every 365 days, the repetition will occur only after 60 years. The symbolism combines:

• one of the zodiac animals - there are only 12;
• a certain color - it corresponds to one of the five elements (water, metal, fire, earth or wood).

The main color of this year is white.

Important! Chinese citizens have such a concept as the Year of Destiny, or Benmingnian. For everyone born under this sign, fate has prepared unexpected changes in life and various trials.

New Year traditions: how New Year is celebrated in China

There is a certain number of rules that most of the inhabitants of the Middle Kingdom obey.

Preparatory activities

An ancient myth says that at the approach of each new year, all people need to hide from the monster Nian (from Chinese, his name is translated as "year"). It appears every year with bad goals: to destroy all the harvest harvested since the fall, to devour livestock and, if the opportunity presents itself, to eat several residents.

To protect the home from the monster, knowledgeable people decorate their homes in advance:

• beautiful patterns cut from red paper are glued outside;
• hang out paired inscriptions and pictures on which they wish health, long years and happiness;
• scarlet lanterns are being hung in all accessible places.

The love for red flowers is associated with the legend of the appearance of the celebration. In the first version, the monster was frightened by a toddler dressed in a matching color. That year, not a single kid disappeared from the village, and people began to meet the monster with just these shades.

In the second version, a peasant woman sheltered a beggar wanderer and invited him to hide from the monster together. But he said that he would be able to protect the settlement from the monster and stayed to wait for him. Before his appearance, the beggar pasted over the walls with red paper, and when he did, he went out in a similar dressing gown and frightened him with bamboo, which he threw into the fire (when it gets into the fire, a small explosion occurs).

Important! On the eve of the festive event, each family cleans their home. This approach helps to get rid of failure and start making room for the arrival of happiness.

Festive feast

Before the New Year, the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire always gather at a common table. Favorite dishes of all family members are served on it, meat and fish should be present. They consider dumplings or jiaozi to be the embodiment of one of the main desires that Chinese citizens make, so they ask the higher powers to give birth to sons.

All family members, including those who work or study in other cities or countries, should return to the house by dinner time. The Chinese strive to celebrate the New Year with their parents, so every year there is an overcrowding of transport in the country on weekends and the inability to buy tickets for a certain time.

Important! The festive night ends with firecrackers and fireworks. According to beliefs, they rid oneself of evil spirits and attract happiness and tranquility into the home.

First day of vacation

The next morning, the younger generation begins with congratulating their parents and wishing them health and happiness. In response, they are presented with reciprocal wishes for success and red envelopes with large golden hieroglyphs. They can contain any amount - from a few bills to a couple of hundred dollars.

The only condition is that the quantity must be even. Otherwise, odd bills will become associated with money that is traditionally given at funerals. Parents prefer to give six (smooth year) or eight (rich) pieces. The number four in China means death and is not used for such festive occasions.

Important! The main requirement for a cash gift is absolutely new bills. Any thing related to the celebration should be previously unused - this is the only way success and luck will come to the house.

After the gift ritual and the end of the event, the red envelopes must be under the pillow for one week.

This is followed by congratulations from all close and distant relatives. It takes about five days to visit the guests. All friends must be given gifts consisting of paired things (a sign of unity and harmony). An exception is the "four", as a sign of death.

At the entrance to the house, the owners are presented with 2 tangerines, and when they leave, they receive the same amount in return. This is an exchange of signs of financial well-being and a wish for material success next year.

Holiday performances

Folk dances combined with festivities are old requirements. In the squares you can see the dancer:

• lion - the actors inside the figure try to depict the movements of a graceful cat;
• dragon - men hold an animal made of paper on poles and make wave-like movements.

In large cities, processions are held, acting troupes and well-known musical groups perform.

Bride or groom rental service

Chinese customs dictate that a woman must find her half before the age of 30, and a man before 32. If the rule is not followed, desperate relatives can organize dates and create awkward situations for singles. Ignoring leads to serious criticism from the public, making it difficult to enjoy the celebration.

Enterprising businessmen have come up with a fun service called "rent a bride or groom." Through special pages or with the help of intermediaries, you can find a partner for a festive night. The standard price is about $ 16 daily.

Thus, people who have not found their other half are saved from annoying relatives and the condemnation of acquaintances. The rules are followed and it doesn't matter that the potential "groom" or "bride" will disappear right after the fun.

List of prohibitions

Chinese citizens have a whole register of things that should not be done during the celebration:

• During the conversation taking place at the festive table, one cannot recall the events of the past year. At this time, you need to make plans for the future, talk about desires and innermost dreams, and not list the troubles. Otherwise, they will move to the next 365 days.
• The correct combination of colors in clothes - for the Year of the Rat, you cannot wear white and black at the same time. A festive outfit should match the color of the element - steel or white.
• For the first time 72 hours you can not clean - it is believed that at this time the house is filled with good spirits, giving happiness and good luck in business. Their deeds are visible by the dust on the objects. Attempts to get rid of it will cause all good things to disappear and attract evil and problems.
• The first 48 hours you cannot buy shoes so as not to call difficulties and troubles. In Chinese, the word "shoe" has a second meaning, "heavy."
• During the month, you cannot cut your hair and wash it for the first 24 hours. The latter option will wash away the luck that has arisen, and a haircut will lead to misfortune.
• The use of sharp and cutting objects is also prohibited. With a fork and a knife, you can shorten your happiness in two or three days.
• During the celebration, you cannot sort things out, swear or shout. Aggression and abuse will attract evil entities and it will be very difficult to get rid of them. Lying on the bed is also unacceptable - otherwise you will have to spend all the following months in bed.

Important! Before the onset of the solemn moment, you need to distribute all existing debts. The list even includes payment of utility bills - you should not enter the New Year feeling unfulfilled. As long as you have to stay, so many troubles can be expected.

List of permissions

Chinese citizens sincerely believe that fulfilling certain conditions will help them to become happy and spend the whole year free of illness and failure.

• Festive table - orange symbolism of prosperity and wealth should be present on it. It is better to buy tangerines and oranges in advance, trying to find fruits with twigs and leaves. Their appearance on the table will help to attract true love, followed by marriage and the birth of children.
• On a solemn night, you need to have fun with all your heart: light sparklers, launch fireworks and clap firecrackers. Noisy fun does not allow evil spirits to get close, which enters the activity phase just before the Spring Celebration.
• There must be fresh flowers in the house - their aroma negatively affects evil spirits, who prefer the smell of decay and sadness.
• Do not forget about red envelopes for the younger generation and decorate your home with signs symbolizing health, happiness and luck. Everything should be paired - single decorative elements will bring loneliness to life.
• On the eve of dawn, a door or window is opened - this method helps to leave everything that is associated with the previous year. Failure to fulfill the condition will not give an opportunity for a new one to fill the dwelling.

In a country, according to established habits, several generations can live under one roof (grandmother and grandfather, mother and father, son and daughter-in-law). Each man brings his half into the house, which must spend all the time with the new family. If she goes to a celebration in her parents' home, then this will cause problems in the marriage and can cause numerous troubles aimed at the spouse's family.

It is necessary to celebrate the new year in accordance with the accepted norms. This period is considered the best time to reconcile those who quarreled, forgive all insults and sincerely wish your loved ones peace and happiness. It should be celebrated and held in the family circle, and not among strangers and unfamiliar people.