The Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, is the most significant and widely celebrated traditional festival in China, marking the beginning of the lunar new year. It usually falls between late January and mid-February, and in 2026, it celebrates the Year of the Horse. For Chinese people, wherever they are in the world, this festival is a time to return home, reunite with family, and welcome a new start with hope and joy.
The origin of the Spring Festival dates back over 4,000 years, rooted in ancient rituals to worship gods and ancestors, as well as to drive away a mythical monster called “Nian” that was said to harm people during the new year. Today, though the myth is just a story, many traditions derived from it remain, such as pasting red couplets, hanging red lanterns, and setting off fireworks—red symbolizes good luck and prosperity in Chinese culture, while fireworks are believed to scare away bad luck.
Preparations for the Spring Festival start weeks in advance. Families clean their houses thoroughly to “sweep away bad luck,” buy new clothes to wear on New Year’s Day, and prepare abundant food. The most important meal is the New Year’s Eve dinner, a feast where families gather around the table to enjoy dishes with special meanings, such as dumplings (symbolizing wealth) and fish (representing surplus and abundance).
During the festival, people visit relatives and friends to exchange greetings, often saying “Happy New Year” or “Wish you prosperity in the Year of the Horse.” Children look forward to it most because they receive red envelopes filled with money from elders, a blessing for health and growth. Public celebrations include dragon and lion dances, which are lively and colorful, attracting crowds to watch and join in the joy.
Beyond the celebrations, the Spring Festival carries profound cultural meanings. It emphasizes family reunion, respect for elders, and hope for the future. For foreigners, it is not just a holiday, but a window to understand Chinese values—harmony, gratitude, and the importance of family bonds. In recent years, the Spring Festival has also become a global celebration, with activities held around the world to share Chinese culture and joy.
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