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The Chinese New Year:  Celebration of Past, Present,and  Future Life

Map

This map of China shows the major cities, along with the significant rivers, mountains, and other geographical features.  Source:http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/china.html 

 

Abstract

      The Chinese New Year is a lively celebration that establishes the importance of family and community in Chinese culture. During a fifteen-day celebration filled with ritualistic symbols, parades, gift giving, and feasts, the country is in celebration of the coming spring and the purity the New Year will bring. Rituals are performed to bring good luck and fortune to one's family while simultaneously, the ancestors are being respected through praise and esteem. The importance of family throughout the entire celebration reinforces the idea of community and the importance of family stability. During the Chinese New Year each individual, regardless of age, is given responsibilities. Through these duties familial structure is reinforced.

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Young girl in traditional dress during one of many Chinese New Year Parades around the world (Nelson). Men traditionally participate in the celebration of the New Year by festivally dressing and engaging themselves in parades.  In this photograph the men are illustrating their spirits by carrying the dragon, a very common sight during such parades (Nelson).

Introduction

      The Chinese New Year takes place at the end of the winter months and signifies the coming of a new year and new beginnings. The celebration is filled with tradition and ritual that unites China 's population, bring peace and elation to celebrants. This fifteen-day merriment brings together friends, families, and neighbors for a time of thanksgiving to their ancestors. Taboos, superstitions, tradition, foods, and decorations all play a vivid role in the success of such a large and significant festival. The New Year is a celebration “welcoming… the gods of the heavens and earth”, bringing together Chinese society in a celebration of history, religion, and thanks (Abraham 2003). The New Year is full of lively festivities of life, dance, and reunion that reinforce the importance of familial and social structure.

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Context of China

       China , covering over nine million square kilometers, is the fourth largest country on the Earth's surface. The country is located in Eastern Asia , bordering the Korea Bay , the East China Sea , the Yellow Sea , the South China Sea , situating it between North Korea and Vietnam . Because of the large mass of the nation, the topography of China varies greatly, consisting of mountains, the highest being the famous Mount Everest , deltas, hills, and plateaus, and deserts located in western China . Much like the landscape of the country, the climate differs in across regions. In southern China the atmosphere is tropical, while the north relates more to subarctic temperatures (Coutsoukis 2001a).   

       The history of China is complex. This multifaceted culture is believed to have begun with “Pangu, the creator of the universe, and a succession of legendary sage-emperors and culture heroes who taught the ancient Chinese to communicate and to find sustenance, clothing, and shelter” (Wartz 2004). Throughout history, dynasties have ruled the country, the first dynasty believing to be the Xia dynasty. As time progressed, the emergence of China began to rise in mid-19 th Century (Coutsoukis 2001b).

       China 's history is full of political restructuring, civil and international war, technological advancements, economic reformation, and cultural progression. The Chinese were not open to western culture during the first half of the 20 th century; the nation was ruled by political dynasties that called for reforms to prevent the nation from becoming westernized.

       The Chinese population was divided during the 1945 civil war. After four years of civil distress, the Chinese Communist Party conquered the Nationalists. As the war eased, the Chinese population was once again brought together and the Communist party was able to establish strength in the unstable nation (Coutsoukis 2001b).

       China has a population of nearly 1.3 billion people, consisting of several differing ethnic groups. While Han Chinese is the most prevalent, comprising 91.9% of the entire population, the Zhuang, Uygar, Hui, and Tibetans, are some of the other ethnic cultures that make up the remaining 8.1%. The labor forces within the country are made up of primarily agriculturist, industrialists, and serve men (World 2004e). While the Chinese population is diversified, differing in social and economic classes, cultures, and backgrounds, a majority of the population joins together to celebrate thanks with his fellow country men during the celebration of the Chinese New Year.

 

 

 

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Origins of The Chinese New Year

 

       The Chinese New Year consists of a plethora of celebrations, each originating and symbolizing different customs and meanings. The specific date that the celebration began is highly debated as it is one of the most ancient festivals in history. Because of the differing opinions, the Chinese New Year illustrates how popular belief, cultural revolutions, and the progression of oral history can evolve over time.

       One legend concerning the origin of the festivities involves the story of Nian. The tale encompasses the fears of the ancestors of vicious animals called “Nian”. In the winter months food became insufficient in the wilderness and these evil animals would invade local villages and search for human prey to void their hunger. It was believed that the creatures feared the color red, fire, and noise; therefore, people took action to prevent their losses by hanging red objects, lighting fires on doorsteps and drumming loudly throughout the night. After these revelations, the entire village began using these tactics and during the Nian's invasion one night he “saw the red color and fire at every door and hear a thunderous sound” and “retreated to the mountains”, never to be seen again (Story 2004d). The following morning the people greeted one another with great joy. After that night, the town was in celebration, expressing thanks and celebrating triumph for their great fortune, the people drank liquor and wine at a feast and decorated the village with red lanterns (Story 2004d).

        The second belief entails the gathering of a town after the cold winter for hunting and fishing. The people “thanked the Gods for the blessings of nature, including the mountains, rivers, the sun, moon and stars. They thanked their ancestors, then they shared and enjoyed the sumptuous bounty of the land, sea and fields as they ate, danced and sang heartily” (Origin 2004b). The festival had no set date because of the differing of the ending of the winter season each year but became the festival “to bid farewell to the old year and welcome in the new year” (Origin 2004b). The festival originated from the activity of “Winter Sacrifice” and developed into what is now known as the “Spring Festival” (Origin 2004b).

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Performance

       While there are several elements that can be observed throughout the Chinese New Year festival, the Lantern Festival is the most appreciable event of the celebration. The festival consists of lantern shows, lion and dragon dances, and eating Tang Yuan, “ball-shaped boiled sweet rice dumplings with delicious stuffing” (Lantern 2004c). During the Lantern Festival “decorative lanterns depicting birds, beasts, historical figures, and any one of a number of different themes are carried by children or adorn temples” are carried among the streets and hung outside of homes of celebrants (Lantern 2004c).

        The sky booms with illuminating fireworks, while the streets are illuminated with lanterns. The fireworks are commonly the symbol of exonerating the old while openly receiving the new. Because the Chinese people believe they are descendants of the dragon, the dragon dance is an imperative event in the Chinese New Year. The Chinese “believe it is mascot and embodiment of power, dignity, luck, strength, and success” (Travel China 2004). The totem “is so deeply rooted in Chinese mind that it can be found almost everywhere in Chinese people's life” (Travel China 2004). The dragons that are created for this festival can be up to 100 meters long with poles attached to the stomach of the dragon, allowing performers to move the dragon up and down. While a man raises a pearl, the dragon is tempted to follow the thunderous rhythm of the drums (Travel China 2004).

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Artifact

 

                                   

During the Lantern Festival “decorative lanterns depicting birds, beasts, historical figures, and any one of a number of different themes are carried by children or adorn temples” are carried among the streets and hung outside of homes of celebrants (Lantern 2004c).

Image:  http://www.educ.uvic.ca/faculty/mroth/438/CHINA/decorations.html

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Interpretation

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Prognosis for The Chinese New Year

       The celebrating of the Chinese New Year is increasing in popularity not only in China , but also around the world. The Chinese New Year has always been the most significant festival throughout China but the festivities involved in the celebration have become more visual. The Spring Festival has become integrated into some American cultures also. The New Year signifies the coming together of families and the forming of friendships, the meaning behind the ritual's symbols continue to give the celebration meaning and importance.

        In Sacramento , California , the Chinese New Year has become a festive celebration to express and illustrate the diversity of the town. Even in America during the fifteen-day celebration one can witness parades, the hanging of lanterns, and the many other elements of the New Year. As the years pass and as nations become more multi-racial and multi-cultural, the Chinese New Year has gained popularity across the world (Bower 2002).

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Conclusion

 

       The Chinese New Year is a time of thanks and celebration for the people of China. Festive parades, colorful decorations, and illuminating fireworks unify families and communities across the nation. Taboos, superstitions, religion, and traditions emphasize the importance of familial structure and acknowledge the existence of supernatural powers. Ancestors are respected through remembrance and ill-feelings are erased from a community. The New Year plays a significant role in the forgiveness of neighbors, the stability of families, and the desire for unity and strength. The Chinese society relies on history to celebrate the future and “welcome[s]… the gods of the heavens and earth” through the celebration of family and community and the hope for great fortune (Abraham 2003).

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Internet References Cited

  • 2004a Celebration of the Chinese New Year. Electronic document.

    http://www.c-c-c.org/chineseculture/festival/newyear/newyear.html , accessed

    October 9.

    This site explores the traditions behind the Chinese New Year. It illustrates the preparations and rituals that surround the celebration.

  • 2004b Origin. Electronic document.

    http://www.twilightbridge.com/hobbies/festivals/chinesenewyear/ origin.htm ,

    accessed October 8.   

    This site explores the significance of the Chinese New Year. It explains the ancient festivals beginnings (and lack of knowledge of the origin), along with where the name “Spring Festival” originated.

  • 2004c Lantern Festival. Electronic document.

       http://www.gio.gov.tw/info/festival_c/glue_e/glue.htm , accessed October 9.

    This site explores the visual aspects of the Chinese New Year, also known as the “Lantern Festival”, which is part of the 15-day celebration.

  • 2004d The Story of Nian. Electronic document.

       http://www.twilightbridge.com/hobbies/festival/chinesenewyear/nian.htm ,

        accessed October 8.

    This site tells a tale of what some people believe is the beginning of the Chinese New Year.

  • Abraham Lincoln High School ESL /Bilingual Department.

      2003 The 15-Day Celebration of Chinese New Year. Electronic Document.

    http://members.tripod.com/lincolnhsesl/01282003news.htm , accessed September 17.

    This site explores the basic elements of the celebration and what each day entails throughout the 15-day festival.

  • Coutsoukis, Photius.

      2001a China Geography. Electronic document.

    http://www.workmall.com/wfb2001/china/china_geography.html , accessed September 17.

    This site is a fact sheet that explores all of the different parts of China 's geography, culture, and people.

  • ____ 2001b China Introduction. Electronic document.

         http://workmall.com/wfb2001/china/china_history_introduction.html ,

        accessed September 17.

    This site is a summary of China 's history, exploring the major events that have shaped present China.

  • West, Larry.

      2004 Chinese New Year. Electronic document.

    http://chineseculture.about.com/library/weekly/aa011298.htm , accessed October 9.

    This site explores the origin and festivities of the Chinese New Year. It outlines the different rituals that are involved in the festival, along with a brief background of the celebration.

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Peer-Reviewed References Cited

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