Chinese New Year
The most significant holiday for Chinese is the Chinese New Year. Compared to the New Year celebrated by Christians which is based on a solar calendar, Chinese New Year came from the lunisolar calendar which date points out the moon phase and the time of the solar year. A lunar month is about two days shorter compared to the solar month. To “catch up” with the solar calendar, one month is added every few years. According to the solar calendar, Chinese New Year belongs on a different date every year.
The celebration usually begins from the New Year’s Eve and ends in about fifteen days until the middle of the first month. Before the celebration, people will usually clean and decorate the house as part of the tradition. New Year is also the time of family reunion and people will normally go to see their relatives, go shopping, watch traditional Chinese shows and fireworks display. Sometimes, the celebration is featured with a religious ceremony in giving pride to heaven, earth, the family ancestors and other gods. Today, Chinese working professionals will usually spend holidays for seven days including weekend celebration. Other modern Chinese families also take an opportunity to visit tourist destinations.
J. Weng