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Spring Festival

Date: January - February

Spring Festival is the significant festive holiday for the Chinese people. It falls on the first day of the first lunar month, and lasts 15 days, ending with the Lantern Festival.

Myth: Spring Festival is commonly associated with nian, an ancient mythic monster. According to folklore, nian appeared at festival time, frightening the people and maiming their livestock.  A wise old man gave his advice that the people should use the colour red and make lots of noise to frighten nian. Tradition dictates the display of red decorations and the use of lights and fireworks during the Chinese New Year festival.

Custom: The Spring Festival is a time of unity, during which families make every effort to hold reunions. Traditional feasts of niangao or steamed bread are prepared; and Jiaozi or dumplings are eaten on the morning of the festival. Dishes of  fish, pork and chicken are cooked and eaten throughout the holiday.

On New Year's Eve nobody goes to bed early. At midnight, each family, joyfully reunited, lets off fireworks, lighting the nighttime sky with festive glitter.