Festivals, like the Chinese New Year, hold particular significance as they embody hope and the prospect of a fresh start. According to the Chinese lunar calendar, this period of renewal aligns with the commencement of spring, occurring between the 20th of January and the 19th of February in the Gregorian calendar. The Lunar New Year’s Eve reunion dinner stands out as the pinnacle, initiating the festivities with a symbolic spread featuring dishes like whole fish, symbolising abundance and ushering in good luck and fortune. Share your own traditions in the comments below, and let’s celebrate the spirit of renewal together!

Have you ever wondered why the Chinese New Year celebrations stretch across fifteen whole days? Each day unfolds like a new chapter, brimming with customs and hidden meanings passed down through generations. From the joyous family reunions on the first day to the lantern-filled streets on the fifteenth, each day is rooted in stories of legends, folklore, and traditions. Let’s explore the heart and soul of these fifteen remarkable days.

Yuan Dan, literally translating to “First Morning of the Year,” marks the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year. This day is about family ties, with visits to the eldest and senior members of the families. These visits reaffirm the importance of lineage, tradition, and ancestral respect.

There is also the tradition of welcoming guests with tea and sweet treats, such as sugared fruits, which are supposed to sweeten one’s upcoming year.

The artful arrangement of these sweets and fruits on a round or octagonal tray, known as the “Tray of Togetherness,” signifies togetherness and unity. The significance of the number eight, representing luck, often guides the arrangement, with eight units of sweets being a customary practice. Visitors contribute small gifts, often oranges, tangerines, or mandarins, symbolising gold, prosperity, and good fortune. This tradition adds a meaningful and auspicious touch to the celebration, fostering an atmosphere of warmth and well-wishing.

On this auspicious day, the tradition of giving ang baos (red envelopes containing money) takes center stage, with elders and married couples bestowing these vibrant envelopes upon the young and unmarried. The color red symbolises good luck and serves as a protective charm against evil spirits. It’s not just about the money inside; the amount enclosed must be an even number, considered particularly lucky and auspicious. These red packets bear heartfelt words, showering recipients with blessings for longevity, prosperity, and good health.

In ancient China, there are two legends that intertwine with the gift money tradition.

In one tale, the Eight Immortals transform into coins to rescue a child from the demon Sui, leading to the practice of placing eight coins under pillows wrapped in red paper. This eventually evolved into the widespread custom of giving children money wrapped in red paper, known as “money that can suppress the demon.”

Married couples traditionally visit the wife’s parents’ home on the second day, respecting cultural beliefs related to auspicious dates, where the first, fourth or fifth day is avoided as it may bring bad luck upon the families. 

In light of this superstition, the married couple typically chooses the second day of the new year to visit the wife’s parents. An interesting cultural nuance involves bringing an even number of gifts, as odd numbers are considered ominous.

The third day of the Chinese New Year carries an air of caution, rooted in ancient beliefs that deemed it easy to misspeak or inadvertently offend others on this particular day. As a precautionary measure, it is advised against visiting relatives or extending invitations to one’s home on the third day.

Contrary to the caution of the third day, the fourth day of the Chinese New Year is an auspicious occasion. On this day, families partake in the welcoming of the Kitchen God. Rituals include the burning of incense, the illumination of candles, and the preparation of offerings such as fruits, alcohol, fish, chicken, and pork to extend a warm welcome to the divine presence.

The fifth day of the Chinese New Year marks the birthday of the God of Fortune, a momentous occasion celebrated by keeping doors and windows open to invite his auspicious presence. On this day, shops and businesses typically resume their normal operations, signifying a return to the regular rhythm of commerce and an optimistic embrace of prosperity in the coming year. Symbolised with dumplings in the shapes of Chinese gold ingots and money bags.

The sixth day of the Chinese New Year holds a unique tradition as people engage in a thorough cleaning of their surroundings. This practice is rooted in the belief that the rubbish accumulated from the first to the fourth day represents “wealth.” However, after the fifth day, it transforms into a symbol of “poverty.” Hence, on the sixth day, a collective effort is made to clean up all the trash, symbolising the removal of poverty and the welcoming of wealth and fortune into the new year.

The seventh day of the Chinese New Year, known as Renri or Yan-yat, holds special significance as it is considered the birthday of humankind. According to Chinese mythology, the mother goddess Nuwa created human beings from yellow clay on this day, marking the birth of humanity. In celebration of Nuwa’s creations, people partake in special dishes, particularly vegetable-based ones or a raw fish and vegetable salad known as yusheng. Yusheng, meaning “raw fish,” symbolises abundance, prosperity, and vigour, as the word “fish” is a homophone for “abundance,” reflecting the wish for increased prosperity in the coming year.

This day is the birthday of millet, an important crop in ancient China. On this day, the Hokkien Chinese will also be busy preparing food and incense for the Jade Emperor’s birthday, which begins at midnight.

On the ninth day of the Chinese New Year, Hokkien Chinese celebrate the birthday of the Jade Emperor, known as “Phai Thien Kong” or “praying to the Heaven God.” This day holds special significance for Hokkiens, as they attribute their protection from an ancient, ruthless army to the Jade Emperor. Legend has it that during a massacre, the Hokkien people sought refuge in a sugarcane plantation on the eighth and ninth days of the Lunar New Year, coinciding with the Jade Emperor’s birthday. In gratitude, Hokkiens offer prayers on this day.

The festivities commence at 11 p.m. on the eighth day of the Chinese New Year, with preparations beginning well in advance. Hokkiens set up a table adorned with a red table-cloth, laden with various offerings for the Jade Emperor. Sweet cakes (thni kueh), red glutinous rice cakes with a tortoise-shell print (ang koo), red-coloured buns (mee koo), prosperity cakes (huat kueh), and bright pink miniature pagodas (t’ng tak) are among the essential items, all symbolising longevity and prosperity for the upcoming year.

The Hokkiens meticulously fold pieces of gold paper (kim cua), hanging them from sugarcane stalks before burning them as a Thanksgiving offering to Thien Kong. As the gold papers are set ablaze, family members take the stalks of sugarcane from the altars, typically arranged in pairs, and toss them into the flames. The celebratory moment is accompanied by the vibrant spectacle of fireworks and firecrackers, marking both the commencement of the ninth day and the endurance of the Hokkien people.

On this day, it is believed to be the birthday of the God of Stone, aptly named “Shi Bu Dong,” meaning ‘do not move any stone,’ this day carries a unique set of customs. It is strictly forbidden to disturb any stone, be it stone rollers, mills, or mortars.

Furthermore, a taboo surrounds the cutting of mountain rocks or the construction of houses with rocks on this day, as it is believed to bring misfortune to crops. In observance of this day, families engage in rituals such as burning incense and candles to honour the god of stone.

On the eleventh day, it is a tradition for fathers to invite their son-in-laws to dinner. Any leftovers from the birthday celebration of the Jade Emperor are consumed on the tenth and eleventh day.

This day is known as Guīníng Rì, a day when married daughters return home to visit their parents.

After several days of indulging in rich and meaty dishes, it is customary on this day to shift to a lighter fare, opting for vegetarian dishes such as porridge with mustard greens. This practice is believed to give the stomach and body a much-needed break.

On this day, preparations are underway to celebrate the final day of the Chinese New Year festivities.

The concluding day, referred to as the “First Night Festival” (元宵节, yuánxiāo jié), signifies the first full moon of the New Year, also known as the Lantern Festival due to the illumination of lanterns. Families come together on this day to enjoy tangyuan (汤圆) – sweet glutinous rice balls in soup – symbolising the essence of reunion. Additional customs on this day encompass solving lantern riddles and setting off vibrant fireworks.

Here’s a riddle for you: I’m red and fierce, a symbol of might, In the Chinese New Year, I’m a joyful sight. Born in the Year of the ____, strong and bright, Guess my zodiac, bring luck to your night.

In Hokkien tradition, the 15th day is known as Chap Goh Mei, denoting the 15th night, and holds a charming tradition where single ladies, aspiring for marital bliss, toss oranges into rivers, symbolising their hopes for finding a suitable husband. The day culminates in a festive atmosphere, echoing with the glow of lanterns and the zestful energy of those participating in this age-old custom.

As we conclude our exploration of the 15 days of the Chinese New Year, the spirit of renewal and celebration resonates deeply. From the heartwarming reunions of the first day to the vibrant lantern displays of the fifteenth, each day unveils a story and its significance.

Remember, this is just the beginning of your own journey. Dabble into the legends, delve into the symbolism, and embrace the cultural richness of timeless traditions in Malaysia. Share your own experiences and cherished memories in the comments below!