From sharing food with family to visiting temples and more, here are common Chinese New Year traditions you need to remember for a prosperous year
The new year signifies a year of fresh beginnings and opportunities. Just as the start of the year is celebrated around the world, its lunar counterpart—Chinese New Year—ushers in a fun and festive energy.
And with it come traditions essential in ushering in a new, prosperous year. These include:
Eating together with family
Food is at the heart of every celebration. In the spirit of togetherness and close familial ties, families come together for a lavish reunion dinner on Chinese New Year’s Eve or on the day of.
The spread usually includes symbolic food like noodles for long life, sticky rice balls (buchi or masachi) for closeness, a whole steamed fish for abundance, along with spring rolls and dumplings for wealth and prosperity.
Giving ang bao (red envelopes)
Ang bao are red envelopes that contain money. These are handed out to children and unmarried family members as a symbol of good fortune, blessings, and more money to come.
The red color is believed to ward off bad luck, while the money signifies a wish for financial abundance. But more than its material value, giving ang bao is a way to share blessings.
Preparing and giving symbolic food items
Much like giving ang bao during Chinese New Year, some people also give food as a gesture of goodwill. Common gifts include:
Tikoy: Derived from the Fujian word “ti ke,” which means sweet cake, this sticky dessert represents unity and good fortune. It commonly comes in white or brown sugar, but modern variations include tikoy that’s ube and pandan-flavored.
Round fruits: Usually, a dozen round fruits like apples, oranges, and pears are given as gifts as they represent wealth and abundance for the coming year. But some people also choose to give pineapple, or “ong lai,” which, in Fujian, translates to “come, good luck.”
Noodles: As a symbol of long life, noodle dishes like misua or chow mein are common gift ideas this Chinese New Year.
Wearing new clothes (bonus if it’s red and/or gold)
Red is quintessential for every Chinese, as it symbolizes prosperity and good fortune. Thus, wearing red clothes during Chinese New Year is believed to attract positive energy, ward off bad luck, and set the tone for a successful year ahead. In some cases, people also pair it with gold accents and jewelry as a symbol of wealth and abundance.
As for why wearing new clothes is a must, it symbolizes optimism, hope, and having a fresh start—shedding misfortune and negativity from the past year.
Lighting fireworks or firecrackers
The loud noises from the fireworks are believed to help ward off evil spirits and bad luck. What’s more, they light up the sky—creating a lively and festive atmosphere.
Not allowed to light fireworks? Don’t worry. Trumpets and noise-making instruments are hazard-free and safe alternatives in welcoming the new year.
Checking the year’s feng shui forecast and practices
Families often consult feng shui experts for guidance to align their homes and lives with positive energy, or chi. This includes rearranging furniture to improve harmony, and choosing lucky charms or symbols. Doing so is believed to influence success in love, work, life, and family harmony.
Some even seek advice on what their auspicious colors are for the year (which can also depend on the person’s Chinese zodiac sign), which directions to avoid, and the best or worst days for important activities.
READ: Feng shui colors that bring more positive energy into your home
Visiting temples
During Chinese New Year, devotees light incense, pray, and make offerings to deities—asking for blessings and guidance for the new year. But more than that, it’s also a time to reflect, express gratitude for past blessings, and seek clarity for the year ahead.
Aside from attending mass, some devotees also visit multiple temples in order to pray to the different gods, while seeking prosperity, good health, and protection, among other fervent wishes.
Cleaning the house
Out with the old, in with the new. To usher in a new year, clearing clutter and discarding broken or torn items is believed to help get rid of bad luck and negative energy from the past year. What’s more, clearing the house makes room for good fortune and fresh opportunities.
But take note—cleaning is usually done before Chinese New Year, since sweeping or throwing things out during the day itself means driving away good luck.
READ: Everything I did to prepare for Chinese New Year
Avoiding negativity and negative actions
Chinese New Year is believed to set the tone for the rest of the year, so negative actions like crying, breaking things, using sharp objects, and fighting are believed to bring bad luck and hinder the flow of good energy.
Other no-nos include throwing things out (discarding good luck), cutting hair and nails (cutting off prosperity), and sweeping (sweeping away wealth and blessings).
Watching dragon and/or lion dances
Vibrant, energetic, and colorful. Dragon and lion dances symbolize good luck and prosperity while also driving away evil spirits with its liveliness and noise. These performances are often held in malls and business establishments, but some families even invite them into their homes.
Chinese New Year: A celebration for everyone
Here in the Philippines, Chinese New Year is not exclusively for the Filipino-Chinese community. It has become a celebration that everyone, regardless of race and background, takes part in.
From seeing the lively dragon and lion dances to sharing tikoy and noodles among friends and neighbors, Chinese New Year is a cherished event that unites Filipinos and Filipino-Chinese in celebrating hope and abundance for the year ahead.