Legislation

New Year in China, called Chunjie or the Spring Festival, is the most important day of the year for the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire. For about 2 millennia, it has been celebrated between January 12 and February 19, on the new moon. The Chinese usually call him Nian, which means “year” in translation.

2014 - 4712 according to the Eastern calendar, begins on January 31. Symbols: Horse, Tree, Green.

There is a legend among the people that Nian is an incredibly terrible horned monster that came out of the sea on the eve of the New Year in the ancient Chinese state, devouring living creatures and destroying everything in its path. The inhabitants of the villages in fear left their homes that night and moved high into the mountains, hiding from the misfortune chasing them on the heels. This usually happened every year.

But one day on the eve of the holiday, an old man with a silver beard came to the village, he had a cane in one hand, and a bag in the other. Seeing the panic of the villagers, he promised to expel the monster from the village as a reward if he was allowed to spend the night in the house.

All the inhabitants, as always, went to the mountains, and the strange old man was left alone in the village. At midnight, Nian burst into the village, but was very surprised that the light in one of the houses was lit. When he tried to enter this courtyard, Nian was greatly frightened by the crash of exploding firecrackers, the brightness of the burning lights and the old man's red coat.

Returning to their village in the morning, the inhabitants were very surprised at the integrity and safety of their homes. The old man fulfilled his promise and forever saved people from the terrible monster. The rumor about the method of Nian's expulsion quickly spread throughout the neighborhood, and the people began to celebrate that night the calm and prosperous life of their families, calling it "the night after parting."

Since then, every year on the eve of the holiday, residents began to decorate their homes in bright, shiny colors, stick red inscriptions on the front door, arrange noisy feasts without closing their eyes all night, protecting their homes from the monster that once lived in their area and terrified of people.

Modern China celebrates the New Year in a cozy family atmosphere, where all its members celebrate the holiday at a table richly filled with goodies. Not one feast is complete without chicken and fish dishes, as well as dishes with Chinese bean curd. In the northern part of the country, “jiao-tzu” dumplings are always prepared (marking the farewell to the old and the meeting of the new, besides, they also symbolize gold ingots), and residents of the southern regions prefer slices of sticky rice “nian gao” (denoting an improvement in life). All commercial companies prepare gifts for their partners, such as T-shirts, pens, umbrellas, flash drives with a must.

And how does everything go in private life? The first days of the new year are considered meeting days. At this time, it is customary to visit relatives, friends and just acquaintances, wishing them all the very best for the whole year.

Gifts are not given on this night in China. But for the first two weeks after New Year's Eve, it is customary for all children who come to visit to give money packed in a red envelope (the name of such a holiday gift is Yasui Jian).

The celebration of the New Year in this country lasts for several days. Mass festivities, masquerades and festive shows take place on the squares of the cities. Folk dances are performed, New Year's fairs are held on the streets. This festival lasts about two weeks, until the so-called "Lantern Day", and this is the fifteenth day after the new moon.

Holiday calendar in China for 2014

26.12.2013

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Legislation

Chinese New Year 2014 will be celebrated on January 31 / taringa.net
In China, the Chunjie holiday is the Spring Festival, the traditional New Year according to the Chinese lunar calendar. A joyful and festive atmosphere reigns everywhere. Residents shop for their favorite holiday, New Year is the most important event for 1 billion 300 million Chinese people. Everywhere, on the streets and in stores, there are toys and decorations in the form of a Dragon.
Chinese New Year occurs on the first new moon of the year between January 20th and February 20th of the Gregorian calendar.
Chunjie has an ancient history dating back to the rites of sacrifice to deities and remembrance of ancestors, which were performed at the end and beginning of the year in the Shang era of 1600-1100 BC.

The holiday is accompanied by pasting paired paper inscriptions on both sides of the entrance to the house, the room is decorated inside with popular New Year's paintings, these images contain wishes for happiness in the future. In the past, this custom, like launching firecrackers, was considered an effective way to expel evil spirits and cleanse the house of evil spirits. Later, gluing luboks became part of the festive ritual of the Chinese, and is now very popular in the country.
On the night before the holiday, called chusi, the whole family gathers together. A plentiful festive dinner is arranged, after which they watch the performance of famous artists on TV, there are conversations on various topics, games. In many families, young people stay up all night, this is called show sui - waiting for the New Year.
On the morning of the next day, many families eat jiaozi dumplings, dumplings that resemble traditional gold and silver ingots in their shape and symbolize the wish for wealth. After breakfast, it is supposed to go around the houses of relatives and friends with congratulations and wishes of all the best. On the first day of the New Year, relatives and friends, friends and colleagues visit each other and give gifts.

Adults give children small money wrapped in red paper, which symbolizes the wish for prosperity to the family and the success of the child's development. Also connected with this custom is a legend that once upon a time in the city of Jiaxing lived spouses who only in old age gave birth to one child. The couple were afraid that the evil Sui spirit would kill their baby, and decided to be on duty all New Year's Eve at the child's bed. They prepared some coins for the baby and began to teach him how to wrap them in red paper, but after that everyone was tired and quickly fell asleep. And a red bag with coins was placed near the baby's pillow. Night has come. And the evil spirit began to creep up on the child, but when he decided to stroke the child, suddenly a golden ray escaped from a bag of coins. The spirit was very frightened and ran away. Although today no one pays attention to the existence of an evil sui spirit, on New Year's Eve, adults still give children money for happiness.
On the days of the Spring Festival, mass performances are organized: lion dances, dragon dances, round dances of land boats, performances on stilts.
In the old days, New Year's celebrations lasted more than a month. With the acceleration of the rhythm of life, there can be no question of such long holidays, but it is at this time in China that one of the three golden weeks of the calendar year falls - seven continuous days off.

There is a new fashion for gifts. Previously, the Chinese gave each other cigarettes, alcohol, food. Today, fresh flowers, a subscription to a sports club, lottery tickets are a good gift.
Greetings are changing. Personal visits and greeting cards are being replaced by phone calls, emails and postcards over the Internet.
After a noisy meeting of the new year, the Chinese will celebrate another traditional Yuanxiao holiday - the Lantern Festival. During which, it is customary to feast on pies made from sticky flour with sweet filling and candied fruits, as well as admire the light of lanterns lit at night. The Lantern Festival marks the end of the New Year celebrations in China.

This report is available in high definition.

On January 31, the Chinese New Year 2014 came into its own - the year of the Wooden Horse according to the lunar calendar. This holiday is celebrated in many Asian countries, but primarily in China. Ahead of 12 months of hard work and a good time to start new things.

The celebration of the Chinese New Year begins on the first day of the new moon and lasts 15 days - until the full moon. (Photo by Noel Celis | AFP | Getty Images):

Of course, Chinese New Year is celebrated not only in China, but also in other countries. This is a celebration in Manila, January 31, 2014. (Photo by Reuters | Erik De Castro):

There is a belief that evil spirits are afraid of red, so on New Year's Day, red prevails everywhere. Kuala Lumpur, January 30, 2014. (Photo by Reuters | Samsul Said):

Painted chicks for sale, Manila, Philippines, January 31, 2014. (Photo by Dondi Tawatao | Getty Images):

Each New Year is associated with one of the 12 animals and one of the five elements. This time, the symbol of 2014 is the Wooden Horse. This creature, according to the Eastern calendar, is a symbol of hard work.

A 15-meter Chinese dragon atop Sydney Harbor Bridge. Left - Sydney Opera House, January 21, 2014 (. Photo by AP Photo | Rob Griffith):

Some get tattoos in the shape of a horse. Like this 28-year-old office worker from Beijing, Li Sheng. (Photo by Reuters | Kim Kyung-Hoon):

Artists of the Chinese opera, Indonesia, January 30, 2014. (Photo by Robertus Pudyanto | Getty Images):

Dragon dance, Philippines, January 31, 2014. Like the lion dance, it is quite often used in various festivities and festivals. The dragon traditionally symbolizes strength and dignity in China, the Chinese themselves sometimes call themselves "descendants of the dragon." It is believed that the dragon brings good luck to people. The dragon dance is an important part of the Chinese New Year, celebrated by the Chinese community around the world. (Photo by AP Photo | Bullit Marquez):

Despite our dissimilarity, the traditions of the Chinese and Russians have much in common: the basis of the holiday is a feast.

They are North Korean refugees near Seoul, South Korea on January 31, 2014. (AP Photo | Lee Jin-man)

Another similar tradition is to give gifts, to wish each other health and a good year. And everyone hopes that in 2014 all this will come true. (Photo by Reuters | Samsul Said):

By the way, instead of a Christmas tree, the Chinese put an orange tree, on which they hang red envelopes with money, so that there is prosperity in the house.

(Photo by Reuters | Stringer):

Dragons are everywhere, even in aquariums with water. Singapore, January 30, 2014. See also "". (Photo by AP Photo | Wong Maye-E):

In the conditions of a modern city, a fast pace of life and a lot of work, we are less likely to rest and stop to enjoy the smallest pleasures. That is why we offer you another reason to gather with friends and family - Chinese New Year 2014.

The date of the Chinese New Year 2014 is calculated using the Far Eastern lunisolar calendar, according to which it will come on January 31, 2014 and will last until February 18 of the next year, 2015.

What symbol of 2014 does the Eastern calendar offer us? New Year 2014 is the year of the horse, the main shades of which are blue (blue) or green. It is also worth remembering that these horses, as a symbol of 2014, should be made of natural wood.

Today we will tell you in detail how to organize a fun and unforgettable celebration of the Chinese New Year 2014 so that your friends and family will be pleasantly surprised by the holiday.

Invitations and room decor

Since the symbol of the New Year 2014 is a horse , then the invitations to the holiday must be made in the appropriate style . Of course, it would be ideal to use cards in blue and green colors, but do not forget that the main color of the Chinese New Year is festive scarlet and red. Therefore, the color scheme of the holiday is up to you.

If you want to send themed greeting cards to your friends, you can use this card.

You can fold them in the manner of oriental letters and then the presentation of an invitation or greeting card will become even more original.

Don't forget that Chinese New Year is the Spring Festival. That is why you can hang beautiful landscapes in the chosen theme on the walls of your house. Not only the image of mountains and volcanoes is welcome, but also beautiful landscapes, as well as cherry blossom branches.

Do not forget to decorate the house with animal themes. Besides the fact that the horse is the symbol of 2014, it is also a very beautiful and graceful animal.

Arrange small figurines of these animals in the house. After all, the fact that the horse is a symbol of 2014 will allow you to appease good spirits that bring good luck, health and love to every home.

Wall painting, even if temporary, will help you recreate the vibrant and original atmosphere of China.

Do not forget about the decor in blue and green - the main colors of the New Year.

And just like that, you can combine blue and green in the decor.

You can find even more interesting and varied decor offers .

What to cook on the table if the New Year 2014 is the time for the blue horse?

Since the Chinese symbol of 2014 is a horse, we suggest that you make 50% of the festive menu from your usual dishes, but devote the remaining 50% to kitchen experiments.

So, in the dishes that you will prepare for the festive table, there should be treats with fruits. Universal apples and avocados, pineapples or grapefruits are ideal for this. We must not forget about the presence of greens on all dishes of the festive table.

As a second hot course, you can serve various types of chicken and pork, veal or fish. It all depends on your imagination and the variety that you can find.

From snacks, you can give preference to eggs, cheeses and interesting vegetable cuts. We should not forget about desserts - the horse has a big sweet tooth and therefore it is worth spending time on making your favorite cakes or pastries :).

Organizing the New Year in the style of the Horse , Don't forget about table setting.

It is desirable to perform it in one color - blue or green. Mixing such colors on the table, you can not guess and create bad taste :(.

How to celebrate the New Year?

Since the New Year 2014 is very soon a symbol of the year - a cheerful and good-natured Horse, it is worth remembering that it is also necessary to celebrate the holiday cheerfully and naturally. Gather a company at home, dance, play interesting games and enjoy every minute spent with your family or loved ones.

Bengal lights, fluffy snow, fun and good mood - these are the main opportunities to appease the restive Horse.

Like any women, we are preparing for the New Year of the Horse long before it comes :). That is why you should carefully consider the outfit in which you will coax the New Year's symbol of 2014.

You can opt for a themed outfit.

You can also choose a more traditional European outfit. Make sure that your clothes include blue, blue, malachite or emerald shades.

You can also choose shades of brown and add accessories of the desired colors to the outfit. Do not forget about gold, silver shades that will be fashionable and relevant on such a holiday.

Present

Do you remember which animal is the symbol of 2014? Right! Horse. That is why, when choosing gifts for your relatives, you need to appease the coming year with small symbols. It can be key chains, lighters and any other little things that will always be in your bag or pocket.

For children, more suitable figurines made of leather, felt or fabric are suitable.

An excellent gift would be a handmade toy.

chinese new year celebration 2014 – this is an interesting and bright spectacle. In the Celestial Empire, carnivals and various processions are held on this day. Why don't you arrange something original for yourself and your family?

Hurry! After all, the New Year 2014 of the Horse is coming soon, which means that there is not so much time to prepare!

Happy holidays!

Today is Chinese New Year or Spring Festival. It comes along with the new moon, which will take place at 23:38 Kyiv time. According to the Chinese calendar, this new moon sets the tone not only for the next month, but for the whole year. Therefore, now I will briefly describe the meaning of today's new moon, and in a couple of days I will publish more detailed recommendations for the next month.

The map of the new moon, built on the coordinates of Kyiv, gives clear indications that this year the main changes will concern the home, family, homeland, i.e. a place where people tend to seek comfort and protection. For those who do not live in Ukraine, the main focus may be shifted to other areas, but the background remains the same for everyone.

What is this background? In the next month (and year) we can go through significant changes - the events that we will fall into will directly affect the change in our values, moral principles, rules of conduct. These changes will largely take place against our will; external circumstances will be of great importance even for very strong and influential personalities. So the main advice for this new moon is to cultivate acceptance - to clear your inner space of unnecessary desires, experiences, suffering and allow what is happening to happen. We may not understand why we need what is happening to us now, but after a while, understanding will come.

This new moon occurs simultaneously with the parking of Venus in front of her. This position of the planets helps us to consolidate the personal changes that have taken place in us over the past month and a half for a sufficiently long period (at least a year). Now we are coming out of a long period of reassessment of personal relationships, perceptions of beauty and justice, and we are entering the New Year with a qualitatively changed perception of what is happening. The new quality of perception will allow us to act more confidently throughout the year. (More on the passing period of Venus retrograde in my post of December 13, 2013).

The coming year is also interesting because it will often evoke sentimental feelings in us and a desire to do good deeds. However, the main motivation for action may not be compassion and the very fact of helping those in need, but how our actions will be evaluated by society. But, even if you catch yourself showing off, you probably shouldn't stop. Thanks to such ostentatious nobility, many useful things can be done in the world.

I wish we all find the strength to accept what we cannot change. I wish us not to be afraid of change. I wish you sincere impulses and their joyful realization. I just wish you happiness in the fullness of living every moment. Happy New Year!