Chinese New Year is celebrated throughout China and is also known as The Spring Festival. It goes for fifteen days and the preparations start even before the old year has come to an end. The people prepare by cleaning up, buying gifts and cooking festival food.
Chinese New Year according to an ancient legend was started like this:
People were once tormented by a beast called a Nian - a ferocious creature with an extremely large mouth, capable of swallowing several people in a single bite. Relief from the Nian came only when an old man tricked the beast into disappearing.
But Chinese New Year actually started to celebrate the end of winter and the rebirth which spring brings. It is usually a time to get together and celebrate and wish everyone good luck. It is also a main holiday and it is kind of like Christmas in a way as people get together and give presents.
During Chinese New Year there are many traditions such as:
• Fireworks: These drive away the evil things in China
• Red Packets: These are Red Envelopes with money inside it and they are meant to be good luck, Keep you healthy and live long.
• Markets: These are temporary stalls which sell New Year’s Goods such as Clothing, Decoration, Food, Arts and Fireworks.
• Cleaning: This is where people clean the house thoroughly to get rid of the old and welcome the new.
• Decoration: The decorations are usually red and are mainly Lanterns, Year Paint and sometimes a Door God.
• Dinner: This dinner is the most important dinner and is usually is the family reunion as well.
Chinese New Year is celebrated almost everywhere in China and many people take days off work just to see the twilight parade. In the twilight parade there are lanterns, lights, dancers and even the spectacular dragon dancers.
During Chinese New Year people celebrate the New Year and welcome the new. People also go to parades and treat Chinese New Year as a family get-together or reunion. It is very special and is