Spring Festival is the most important traditional festival in China, also known as Chinese New Year. It is a time for family reunions, enjoying traditional food, exchanging gifts, and celebrating the new year.
The Spring Festival usually falls between late January and mid-February, depending on the lunar calendar. The celebrations usually last for 15 days, starting with the New Year's Eve and ending with the Lantern Festival.
Preparations for the Spring Festival begin early, with people cleaning their homes, buying new clothes, and stocking up on food. According to tradition, red decorations are hung up to drive away bad luck and bring good fortune. The Chinese character for "fortune" is often seen on decorations and gifts.
On New Year's Eve, families gather for a big feast, with dishes representing good luck and prosperity. Dumplings, fish, and rice cakes are among the most popular foods. After dinner, people often stay up late to watch the CCTV New Year's Gala, a variety show featuring singing, dancing, and comedy acts.
On the first day of the new year, people typically visit their relatives and friends to exchange greetings and red envelopes filled with money. Children and unmarried adults are usually the ones who receive the red envelopes.
The Spring Festival is also a time for cultural activities, such as dragon and lion dances, lantern festivals, and temple fairs. The dragon and lion dances involve large, colorful puppets, which are believed to bring good luck and scare away evil spirits.
Overall, the Spring Festival is a time for Chinese people to express their gratitude, honor their ancestors, and pray for good fortune in the year ahead. Despite rapid modernization and globalization, the festival remains an important symbol of Chinese culture and tradition.