The Chinese New Year is the most significant holiday for Chinese people around the world. It does not fall on the same date each year, although it is always in January or February. The Chinese New Year is also known as the Lunar New Year because it is based on the lunar calendar. The holiday is a very exciting occasion because it is the time when people take a break from work to get together with family and friends.

   In the Chinese lunar calendar, each year is named after an animal. The first is the Rat and the following are the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Boar. The Chinese count ages by the lunar year and so babies at birth are always one year old, whatever their birth dates. An infant who was born one minute before midnight on Chinese New Year's Eve is two years old on the first stroke of twelve.

   Before New Year's Day, the entire house should be cleaned. Sweeping should not be done on New Year's Day for fear that good fortune will be swept away. After New Year's Day, the floors may be swept. But we have to sweep inwards and put the dust and trash in the corners and not throw it out until the fifth day. After sweeping, people decorate the doors and windows with "spring couplets". Spring couplets are paper scrolls and squares inscribed with blessings and lucky words. The paper squares are usually placed upside down, because the Chinese word for "upside down"(dao) is a homonym of the word " rrival ". For example, " fuda "  (ºÖ­Ë), luck upside down, means " fu dao "(ºÖ¨ì), " luck arrives ".”.

   To the Chinese, red signifies joy and luck and is believed to eliminate evil, so red is a lucky color for all festive occasions. Black, associated with death, is considered extremely unlucky during the New Year celebrations and should be avoided. People also must control their tongues during these days. There are no dirty language and no unlucky words like " die " or " bad luck ". Scolding or cursing is not allowed, too. If a dish is broken, it is necessary to say " sui sui ping an "(·³·³¥­¦w), which means " peace throughout the year ", as quickly as possible.

   Food plays an important role throughout the Chinese New Year. Many of the dishes are made because they are regarded as symbols of good luck. For example, fish represents " having enough to spare ". Spinach stands for " everlasting ".”. Turnips mean " good omens ". The rice cake means " making people advance toward higher positions ". Dumplings stand for wealth. The red envelope with money which is tucked inside is a symbol of good luck. Family members give it to elders and children. The amount is usually an even number because an odd number is regarded as unlucky.

   People always stay up all the night to welcome the New Year. Some Chinese believe that the longer the children stay awake, the longer their parents will live. The children themselves will also live long lives. At midnight, people will set off strings of firecrackers. It is the Chinese way to say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new year. 

   Some Chinese New Year's customs are changed in different places because of the weather, plant and people's life. Although customs vary, the underlying message is the same. People just wish peace, happiness and luckiness for family members and friends.