More than a billion people around the world are celebrating the start of the New Year just this week.
Chinese New Year is not only celebrated in China. With the bursting of firecrackers and large family gatherings, it is also welcomed in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and all other countries where Chinese people live – including Slovenia.
The Chinese New Year begins annually on the first day of the first month of the lunar calendar.
This is January 21st at the earliest and February 20th at the latest.
Each year is marked by one of the twelve animals of the Chinese horoscope. The year of the tiger has ended, and the year of the rabbit will begin.
In Chinese culture the rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity.
There are many customs associated with the Chinese New Year celebration. The family thoroughly cleans the home. This removes all unhappiness from it and makes room for future happiness.
They decorate their doors and windows with red paper cutouts and verses with the theme of happiness, wealth, and longevity.
On New Year’s Eve the family gathers for a dinner. They give each other red envelopes containing money, which may just be change. In some places, adults also receive red envelopes, but they are mostly intended for children.

During the Lunar New Year celebrations many Chinese go home to the countryside.
In China strict measures against the new coronavirus were lifted in December due to numerous protests. After two years, the Chinese can now finally visit their relatives.
New Year’s holidays last for two weeks. During this time, as many as two billion trips are predicted. Unfortunately, they also expect a large increase in coronavirus infections.
Glossary
A verse is a line of a poem.
For reflection
- How is the Chinese New Year celebration similar to the way you celebrate the New Year?
- Do you know any Chinese people living in Slovenia?
- How do you protect yourself from getting ill from Covid-19?
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The original version of this article was published on January 23rd.
