Chinese New Year starts on the 1st day till 15th day of the Chinese Lunar Calendar and the first day usually falls between late January to mid February. Commonly observed or practised Chinese customs include the following:
1) Reunion dinner
This takes place preferably on the eve before Chinese New Year. However, due to practical issues, reunion dinners also takes place within the week before Chinese New Year
2) Red packets (Hongbao)
Red packets containing cash, are usually given out, as a form of blessing. Givers of red packets are typically
a) married couples to unmarried relatives or friends. In the eyes of the Chinese, unmarried usually is still viewed as not a grown up and hence needs such blessings
b) parents to their already married children (if they have no kids yet) or grandchildren
c) married couples to their recipient to wish them parents good health
d) CEO of companies to their company employees
e) Superiors to their subordinates in the company
3) Firecrackers to kickstart the new year
While this has been traditionally a practise for the Chinese, unfortunately Chinese in certain parts of the world may not get to enjoy this customs due to local laws
4) Receiving the God of Wealth
For believers of Chinese gods and deities, it is believed that performing the ritual to receive the God of Wealth correctly will bring the family wealth in the new year
5) Do not use the broom on the 1st day of Chinese New Year
This is believed to be sweeping away good luck if performed on the 1st day of Chinese New Year. Most Chinese also practise a major cleaning (
)of their residence in the run up to Chinese New Year. Hence any form of sweeping or cleaning on the first day is not required
6) Visiting
It is common to go visiting relatives and friends during Chinese New Year. By Chinese custom, usually the most senior person (eg parents or eldest sibling if both parent have passed away) in the family will play host on the 1st day of Chinese New Year
7) Attire
Chinese customs advocated wearing red, especially on the 1st day of Chinese New Year. Black is usually frowned upon, especially by the more traditional Chinese believers of the customs
7th day of Chinese New Year
This is the day of humans (??) as per Chinese customs. It is customarily a good day to hold dinners. In addition, it is also believed (albeit not widely) to be a good day for making babies
9) 15th day of Chinese New Year
This is the end of the Chinese New Year and also the Chinese Valentine's Day.
