Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year History

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is an annual celebration marking the beginning of the new year according to the lunar calendar. Traditional customs involve family reunions, feasting, and giving gifts, specifically the red envelope that symbolises good luck and prosperity. The holiday also holds symbolic importance with traditional decorations rich in red and gold used to ward off evil spirits and attract good fortune for the coming year. Communal activities, such as dragon dances and lantern marches, are a visual spectacle during this period.

Historically, Chinese New Year has a mythological origin and is said to commemorate the defeat of a beast named ‘Nian’. Nowadays, the holiday represents the diverse and vibrant Chinese community in Australia, making it an important cultural event. Chinese immigrants and their descendants have been celebrating the New Year for nearly two centuries in Australia, bringing their traditions, food, and festivities to enrich the Australian multicultural landscape.

In Australia, Chinese New Year is celebrated with much enthusiasm, predominantly in cities with a significant Chinese population, such as Melbourne and Sydney. Celebrations span across two weeks, featuring colourful parades, traditional music, lion and dragon dances, and markets selling Chinese goods. Many Australians partake in these festivities regardless of their ethnic background, embracing the cultural diversity that Chinese New Year brings. The date for this event varies each year, typically falling between January 21 and February 20, as it is determined by the lunar calendar.

Facts about Chinese New Year

• Chinese New Year in 2024 will be the Year of the Dragon. In 2023 it was the Year of the Rabbit, and in 2022 it was the Year of the Tiger.
• The names of the Chinese calendar are repeated every 60 years.
• I wish you happiness that comes from within, the best of luck to keep you pushing and peace in all days of the New Year - Gong Xi Fa Cai, Popular New Year song
• Up to a million people participate in Sydney's Chinese New Year celebrations, which include dragon and lion dances, fireworks, food and cultural events.
• Australian landmarks have joined the global tradition of "Light Up Red" during the Chinese New Year period, where buildings are illuminated in red to symbolize prosperity and good fortune. Iconic structures such as Sydney's Opera House, Perth's Bell Tower, and Melbourne's Arts Centre have participated in this event.

In the News and Trending in Australia for Chinese New Year

Top things to do in Australia for Chinese New Year

• Clean your house. It is customary for Chinese to clean their homes in preparation for the New Year and the fresh start.
• Get together with friends and create a long dragon on sticks. One person gets to create the head, and the others can create the long flowy tail. Remember to use bright colors.
• Watch a film about Chinese New Year:
  Chinese New Year: Australia's Lost Gold - (Documentary, 2016): This documentary follows the annual Chinese Lion Dance tradition in Bendigo, where it has been celebrated for over 150 years.
• Attend the Sydney Lunar Festival: Sydney’s Lunar New Year Festival is one of the city's big annual events and it is the largest Lunar New Year celebration outside Asia. It features dragon boat races, food festivals, traditional performances, lantern displays, and more.