Difference in date
The date of Chinese New Year is based on the combination of the movements of the sun and the moon, so it is different every year. It usually falls between January 21 and February 20 on the Gregorian calendar. This year, the New Year holiday begins on January 27 and lasts for 15 days.
Call Tet according to the 12 zodiac animals
The Chinese often use 12 zodiac animals to name the New Year each year, including Ty (Mouse), Suu (Ox), Dan (Tiger), Mao (Rabbit), Thin (Dragon), Ty (Snake), Ngo (Horse), Mui (Goat/Sheep), Than (Monkey), Dau (Chicken), Tuat (Dog), Hoi (Pig). However, in some Asian countries, there are certain differences, for example, Vietnam does not have the year of the Rabbit but only the year of the Cat.
The world's largest "immigrant"
About 200 million mainland Chinese travel long distances to reunite with their families each New Year. It is estimated that nearly 3.5 billion trips will be made during the 15-day period, a number unmatched by any other country.
The world's largest consumer of fireworks
On New Year's Eve, Chinese people often have the tradition of setting off fireworks to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new year. Chinese people believe that the sound of fireworks will help ward off evil spirits. Besides watching fireworks, Chinese people also buy fireworks to set off at home on New Year's Eve.
Lantern Festival ends Lunar New Year
On the evening of the 15th day of the first lunar month, Chinese people gather to eat and drink and light lanterns. They write wishes on the lanterns and release them into the sky. The Lantern Festival marks the last day of the New Year holiday.
One schedule every day
The Chinese New Year lasts for 15 days, each day has its own traditional customs. For example, the first day is the day to visit the elders in the family, the second day is the day married girls go back to their hometown to visit their parents...
Do not take medicine
On the first day of Tet, you should not cook medicine or prescribe medicine because the Chinese believe that if you do so, you will be sick all year.
Pay off debt before New Year's Eve
If you borrow money from friends, you must pay it back before New Year's Eve. Lending money on the first day of the New Year is also taboo.
Avoid using knives and forks
Avoid using knives or scissors to avoid misfortune in the new year. If you accidentally injure yourself or others, it is a bad omen for the new year.
Don't cut your hair on the first day of Tet
The Chinese believe that if you cut your hair on the first day of the New Year, your uncle will die.
This concept comes from a story like this: Once upon a time, there was an orphan barber who loved his uncle very much. For the New Year, the barber wanted to give his uncle a gift, but because of his poor family, he could only “give” his uncle a new haircut for Tet. Looking younger after getting a haircut, the uncle said that it was the most meaningful gift he had ever received. The uncle wished to get a haircut every New Year.
After his uncle passed away, the barber missed him so much that he cried every New Year's Eve. In Chinese, the word for "missing uncle" (si jiu) sounds very similar to the word for "death uncle" (si jiu). Therefore, over time, the Chinese people have come to the notion of not cutting hair on the first day of the New Year.
