the lantern festival Old, new customs to celebrate

BEIJING, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Spring Festival, better known as Chinese Lunar New Year among foreigners, is the most important festival in China and has in recent years become an occasion to celebrate the Chinese culture across the globe.

In general, celebrations for the Spring Festival start from the Lunar New Year's Eve to the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first month, featuring family reunions, feasts, and various cultural activities.

CUSTOMS ON SPECIFIC DAYS

On different days, Chinese people have different customs.

On New Year's Eve, the biggest event is the annual family reunion dinner. In northern China, it is customary to make dumplings with family members to eat around midnight. In the south, however, people like to make niangao (Chinese name for New Year rice cake) and send some to relatives and friend as gifts.

Another tradition is to stay up on New Year's Eve, known as shousui, which is thought to add on to one's parents' longevity. Since 1982, watching the New Year Gala on China's national TV has become another important activity on New Year's Eve.

The first day of the New Year is the high time to welcome the deities of the heavens and earth, traditionally by lighting fireworks at midnight. Besides, it is a taboo to use the broom on that day, since this tool is considered to sweep away good fortune.

The first day also features giving and receiving red envelopes with cash inside, known as hongbao, which are thought to bring good luck, health and wealth. But only when children and teenagers of a family express their good wishes to the seniors, they will be given a red envelop in return.

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