As February nears in New York City, locals and visitors alike start to get excited for the Chinese Lunar New Year. Gotham’s New York Limo Service wants to help those that may not be sure what exactly this event is and why you should come see it.
The Chinese Lunar festival or “Spring Festival” as per its literal translation, is a holiday that markets the end of the winter season and the beginning of the New Year. It is the longest and most important holiday on the Chinese calendar, starting at the beginning of the month and ending on the 15th of February. This holiday is still celebrated throughout China in most territories and countries as well as by those with Chinese roots around the world. Traditions can vary from place to place, but many maintain the same.
The Holiday starts off with a large family feast on Chinese New Year’s Eve featuring dishes like pigs, duck, chicken and sweet delicacies. The idea behind the celebration is to reconcile, forgive grudges and wish peace and happiness on everyone.
Day 1 – Starts at midnight. Traditional practice is to set off fireworks, burn bamboo sticks and firecrackers and in general make a cacophonous din to chase off evil spirits. Some cultures abstain from meat consumption on the first day and even more believe it is bad luck to use a broom. Elder, married members of families give out red packets of “luck money” to the junior members in the family to suppress aging and challenges in the New Year.
Day 2 – On this day married daughters visit their birth parents, relatives and close friends. Among other various beliefs, it is thought that all dogs are born on this day and are typical remembered with treats.
Day 3 – This day is known as Chìkǒu or “red mouth”. On this day it is considered unlucky to have visitors or to go visit others. It is a day spent at home sending offerings to the God of Blazing Wrath by burning them over a trash fire.
Day 4 – Some communities shorten the celebration and this day is spent with a corporate dinner before businesses start back up.
Day 5 –This is the God of Wealth’s Birthday and is celebrated with firecrackers.
Day 7 – This is the day where everyone grows a year older. It is also a day when some eat tossed raw fish salad for prosperity and wealth. This is another day when many avoid eating meat.
Day 8 – This is the eve of the Jade Emperor’s birthday. It is usually celebrated with another large family dinner. By this day most celebrants will be back in work and store owners host a lunch or dinner for employees in thanks for their hard work.
Day 9 – The Jade Emperor’s birthday is on this day and the day following. This celebration starts on the eighth day at midnight and consists of offerings and thanks. A typical offering is sugarcane which is a homonym for “thank you” in the Hokkien dialect. It is to show their gratitude.
Day 13 – On this day celebrants eat pure vegetarian food only in order to cleanse their stomachs from eating too much food for the last 2 weeks.
Day 15 – This is the final day of the Chinese New Year and is celebrated with the Lantern Festival. On this day families walk the streets carrying lighted lanterns in order to help guide wayward spirits home.
The Chinese Lunar New Year is a fantastic time to visit New York City and experience the cultural celebration. You can rent a New York Limo and experience the festival in style.