Shiki 6 [DVD] JAPANESE EDITION

The traditional Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is a significant and highly celebrated event in Chinese culture. This annual festival typically falls between late January and mid-February, marking the start of a new year according to the lunisolar calendar.

The festivities surrounding the Chinese New Year are steeped in centuries-old traditions, customs, and rituals that are deeply ingrained in the Chinese way of life. The celebrations typically last for 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month.

Preparations for the Chinese New Year celebrations begin weeks in advance, as families engage in a thorough cleaning of their homes, a symbolic act of sweeping away the old and ushering in the new. Decorations featuring the color red, which symbolizes good luck and prosperity, are prominently displayed throughout homes and public spaces.

The eve of the Chinese New Year, known as Chuxi or "Lunar New Year's Eve," is the most significant and celebrated part of the festivities. Families gather for a reunion dinner, known as the "Reunion Feast," which is a time-honored tradition that brings together loved ones to celebrate the new year. The menu for this feast is carefully curated, often featuring auspicious dishes such as whole fish, dumplings, and noodles, each with its own symbolic meaning.

After the Reunion Feast, many families engage in traditional activities, such as setting off firecrackers and fireworks to ward off evil spirits and welcome the new year with a bang. Children are also given red envelopes, called "hong bao," filled with money, which is believed to bring good luck and prosperity.

The first day of the Chinese New Year is celebrated with visits to family and friends, the exchange of well-wishes and greetings, and the offering of sacrifices to ancestors and deities. Throughout the 15-day celebration, various cultural events and performances, such as lion dances, dragon dances, and acrobatic shows, are held to entertain and engage the community.

The Chinese New Year is not just a celebration of the new year but also a time to honor and preserve the rich cultural heritage of China. It is a time of reflection, renewal, and the strengthening of family and community bonds. The traditions and customs associated with the Chinese New Year have evolved over centuries, adapting to changing times and societal norms, but they continue to hold a significant place in the hearts and minds of Chinese people around the world.

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