Chinese New Year

Even if at the moment in China and other countries around the world it is highly recommended to stay at home because of the pandemic, we love to think that talking about Chinese New Year, as it should be observed, can help you to travel with your imagination and memories, in order to make you smile.

New Year celebrations are perhaps one of the few international events that unite such a large number of people all over the world. While most of the world has already celebrated its entry into the new year, there is still one big country that hasn’t celebrated yet: China. China’s New Year is also known as Spring Festival. The Chinese New Year falls during the first of the 24 solar terms of the traditional calendar. It is called 立春 Lìchūn, which means “beginning of spring”. This date changes every year following the lunar calendar. In 2022 it is on the 1st of February. The zodiac animal also changes annually, as it follows a cycle of 12 years. This year is the year of the tiger 虎 (hu). The Chinese have a ritual of 7 days of celebrations, and each day has its own traditions. After a week, when everything goes back to normal, the traditions resume on the 15th of February, with the day called “Lantern festival”.

7 days of celebration

This long tradition follows particular activities and rituals. Chinese people dedicate the days before New Year’s Eve to cleaning the house and shopping for presents for family and friends.
Chinese people respect many traditions during those days. For example, taking a shower is highly discouraged, as there is a belief that it could wash away good luck. Also, crying during these days is not encouraged because it is linked to bad things.

Chinese New Year celebration

The real celebration starts on new year’s eve, which is the 31st of January. It is the most important night: people put up decorations and families reunite to watch the Gala (one of the most important TV programmes of the country) on CCTV or China Central Television. This is also the night when people exchange the red envelopes, or hongbao 红包 which contains money. This is why they are called “money warding off old age” (壓歲錢; yāsuì qián) for Chinese New Year. They now use apps as a digital equivalent to make it easier to send envelopes to friends or employees. Gift givers should also be careful and avoid the use of the number 4. For example, they should make sure the envelope does not contain four banknotes or the sum is a number which contains 4. Alternatively, it’s better to use the number 8 and even numbers.

What happens during these days?

The 1st of February starts with fireworks, adults give presents to the kids, it’s the time to wear new clothes, and it’s the occasion to honor the relatives who passed away.
The 2nd of February, people visit family members, and it is another opportunity to exchange presents.
The 3rd, it’s common for people to stay at home with their immediate family to spend quality time together.
The 4th is the day of the Goat/Sheep. It is a day for prayer and giving offerings, or to go to temples.
The 6th is a time to give away old things, visit friends, and take day trips.
The 7th is the Day of Mankind (人日 Rénrì) and people wish everyone happy birthday.

There is still a week until February 15th, when the festive season comes to an end with the Lantern Festival. On this day, Chinese people hang lanterns everywhere, light them up or release them into the sky. This practice comes from a legend based on the term “passed year” (guonian 过年) which was the name of a demon who was believed to eat humans and animals. The only way to make him go away was to put red decorations up and blow the firecrackers. Once this takes place it’s officially the end of the new year celebrations.

Do’s and don’ts for selecting a present in China

As previously mentioned, gift-giving is a common practice during New Year’s celebrations. It’s a practice to prepare many gifts, not only for friends and family but also for colleagues and bosses. So, if you want to give a present to your employee but they are from a different culture it’s important to know their customs, to avoid making mistakes. Here are some general guidelines of Do’s and Don’ts to help you better understand what to avoid and what are the best gifts for Chinese people.

Don’ts

Umbrellas (because it’s a reminder of a breakup)
Watches (meaning to wish death to someone)
Sharp objects (breaking good luck)
Shoes (the sounds are similar to the word demon, it is wishing someone bad things)
Mirrors (it’s fragile and breaking a mirror is not good luck)
Green hats (implies someone is cheated on)
Cut flowers (no white ones or chrysanthemum)
Tissues (because they are used in bad situations like crying)
Buckets with pears or plum

Do’s

Red envelope (hongbao, also pay attention to the golden phrase on the envelope, as there are different ones for several occasions, so choose the right one)
Plants (chinese tangerine or bambu)
Buckets (with fruits or dry fruits like tangerine, apples, peaches, grapes)
Alcohol (baijiu, Chinese wine; Italian wine, cognac or whiskey)
Tea and coffee (green tea but also coffee)
Sweets and chocolate

Some other suggestions

To help make a good impression and make your relatives, friends or employees happy, the gifts don’t need to be so expensive. This is because whoever receives the gift will feel obliged to return something of similar value.
It is also important to wrap the gift with care and with the color red or gold, not white or green. And when you give the gift to someone, use both hands as a sign of respect. Chinese people are very modest and humble. So when receiving a gift, they will tend to courteously deny it, because they don’t want to seem greedy if they accept it right away, so you have to insist a bit. Don’t expect them to open your gift immediately. And if you receive a gift, do the same and don’t open it, unless they insist on opening at the moment.

With these tips, whenever you have the opportunity to give a gift to your employees or just to a friend or partner you will have a clear idea of what to choose, and will not come empty-handed. Instead, you will have a thoughtful and meaningful and personalized gift to give.
In conclusion, GMD wishes you well and a Happy Chinese New Year! 新年快乐 ! Stay safe!

Fun fact

The Italian word “cincin” used during a toast in Italy comes straight out from China. During the Victorian Epoque, it was brought to Europe by European sailors. When in China they were guests, they were offered some tea while saying the word “qing” 请. This means “please”. Once this word came to Italy, Italians loved it so much that started to use it and also added another “qing”, becoming “cincin”. Additionally, the sound together is like the sound of two glasses when they touch for example during a toast.

If you are curious about Chinese New Year Celebration and how Chinese communities abroad keep traditions alive read also our other article about this topic!

Sara Ferrari