Traditions of the Chinese New Year
Overview of the Chinese New Year, which begins with the first new moon that occurs between January 21 and February 20.
Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.What if celebrating Christmas could get you thrown in jail?
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.What do Times Square, red envelopes, and 12 grapes have in common?
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.In a world where LGBTQ+ history is often overlooked, preserving it becomes a spectacular act.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Learn about the meaning of the name Diwali and the significance of the festival in associated religious traditions.
-
Great Museums Television (A Britannica Publishing Partner)A discussion of Chinese art, from the documentary China: West Meets East at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.2026: The Year of the Horse.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Tenzin Gyatso was the first Dalai Lama on Instagram. Who will succeed him?
Transcript
NARRATOR: Inside the Lama Temple in the heart of Peking - many Chinese people greet the New Year here. The smoke from the incense sticks is said to carry people's wishes into heaven.
WOMAN CELEBRATING THE NEW YEAR: "Last year the Buddha fulfilled all my wishes and I'm showing him what's truly in my heart with all these sticks in the hope that he will fulfil my wishes again this year."
NARRATOR: The Chinese New Year celebration is the most important holiday in the Middle Kingdom and marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year. When one year gives way to the next, which always happens on the new moon that falls between the 21st of January and the 21st of February, the Chinese send their wishes towards heaven. The Chinese believe in the Buddha and in astrological powers. Each New Year in China is also connected to one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. Although they are all considered to be of equal importance, a few do have a special meaning. For example, 2010 was the Year of the Tiger.
ZHAO SHU: "Before Buddhism arrived in China the tiger was the symbol of the Chinese empire, it was our totem, a protective deity for the Chinese and an omen of very good fortune."
NARRATOR: The Buddhists brought the lion with them, which replaced the tiger as the protective symbol more than 2,000 years ago. Nonetheless, people here believe strongly in the powers of the animals in the Chinese zodiac, which are thought to bring the elements in to a harmonious yin and yang relationship.
WOMAN CELEBRATING THE NEW YEAR: "Last year the Buddha fulfilled all my wishes and I'm showing him what's truly in my heart with all these sticks in the hope that he will fulfil my wishes again this year."
NARRATOR: The Chinese New Year celebration is the most important holiday in the Middle Kingdom and marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year. When one year gives way to the next, which always happens on the new moon that falls between the 21st of January and the 21st of February, the Chinese send their wishes towards heaven. The Chinese believe in the Buddha and in astrological powers. Each New Year in China is also connected to one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. Although they are all considered to be of equal importance, a few do have a special meaning. For example, 2010 was the Year of the Tiger.
ZHAO SHU: "Before Buddhism arrived in China the tiger was the symbol of the Chinese empire, it was our totem, a protective deity for the Chinese and an omen of very good fortune."
NARRATOR: The Buddhists brought the lion with them, which replaced the tiger as the protective symbol more than 2,000 years ago. Nonetheless, people here believe strongly in the powers of the animals in the Chinese zodiac, which are thought to bring the elements in to a harmonious yin and yang relationship.