Chinese New Year 2025: Customs and Traditions

Chinese New Year is one of the most important traditional holidays in China, a time when families around the world gather to celebrate the start of a new lunar cycle. In 2025, Chinese New Year will begin on January 29th.

1. General cleaning – Preparing for the new year

A few days before the start of Chinese New Year, families engage in a thorough cleaning of their homes, a custom that symbolizes the removal of bad luck and old misfortunes to make room for good fortune and prosperity. It is believed that if this cleaning is not done, the bad luck from the previous year will remain in the house, and people risk attracting misfortunes in the new year.

2. Family reunion – The New Year's Eve dinner

On the eve of Chinese New Year, a festive meal known as the "Reunion Dinner" takes place, which is an especially important moment for Chinese families. This dinner is often considered the most important of the year, as it is a time for family members to reunite, no matter the distances that separate them. The dishes served have a special significance and are chosen for their symbolism. For example, fish, which in Chinese sounds like "abundance," symbolizes prosperity. Rice rolls, another traditional dish, are associated with wealth, while long noodles symbolize a long and healthy life.

3. Red – The color of luck

Red is the central color during Chinese New Year because it is considered a color that drives away evil spirits and brings good luck in Chinese culture. During this time, homes are decorated with red lanterns, tablets with auspicious inscriptions, and many other red objects. It is also a tradition for older people to give children and younger generations red envelopes with money (known as "hongbao" or "lai see"), which are considered symbols of good luck and prosperity.

4. Dragon and lion dances – The New Year Parade

One of the most fascinating traditions of Chinese New Year is the dragon and lion dance, which aims to bring good luck and drive away evil spirits. These colorful parades, full of energy and enthusiasm, are an impressive spectacle, with participants wearing elaborate costumes to imitate the movements of a dragon or a lion. The dragon dance symbolizes power and prosperity, while the lion dance represents protection and cleansing of negative energies.

5. Lantern Festival – The conclusion of the celebration

Chinese New Year concludes with the Lantern Festival, marking the end of the two-week celebration. On this day, the sky is illuminated with thousands of colorful lanterns, and the streets are full of parades and cultural events. People write messages of good fortune or wishes for the new year on the lanterns, and some of these lanterns are released into the air or floated on water to bring good luck and prosperity. The Lantern Festival is also a moment to share joy and hope for a new beginning.

6. Avoiding superstitions and negative behavior

During the holiday, the Chinese are very careful about their behavior, ensuring they do not say or do anything that might bring bad luck. For example, arguments or conflicts are not allowed during the New Year period, and negative words or actions must be avoided at all costs. It is also considered inappropriate to use words related to death or misfortune during the celebrations, as they are believed to attract negative influences.

7. Traditional foods – Symbols of prosperity

Food plays a central role in celebrating Chinese New Year, with each dish carrying special significance. Some of the most popular dishes include jiaozi (Chinese dumplings), which symbolize wealth due to their shape resembling gold coins. Additionally, rice-based sweets or seasonal fruits are common, with each ingredient carefully chosen to attract prosperity, health, and success in the coming year.

8. The ancient custom of fireworks

Fireworks are another symbol of Chinese New Year, serving to drive away evil spirits and bring good fortune. Throughout the evening, the sky is lit up with thousands of fireworks, and the loud noise is believed to be an effective way to dispel negative energies and ensure a prosperous start to the new year.

9. Temple visits – Prayers for prosperity

In many areas of China and in other Chinese communities around the world, it is a tradition to visit temples to pray for good luck, health, and prosperity in the new year. This is a time for reflection and gratitude, and the Chinese express their wishes for their families and themselves, seeking blessings and protection.

Chinese New Year is a celebration full of traditions, symbols, and customs that reflect the desire to begin a new cycle filled with positive energy, prosperity, and harmony. If you want to experience the authentic atmosphere of the holiday and live the magic of Chinese New Year in the heart of China, you can fly with Turkish Airlines, an airline that will offer you a comfortable and pleasant journey to Chinese cities where you can fully enjoy the festivals and traditions of this special moment.

China has announced that Moldovan citizens with a Romanian passport will be able to travel to the country without a visa starting November 30, 2024, according to Reuters. China will expand its visa-free regime to include Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Japan, and other countries from November 30, 2024, to December 31, 2025, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday.

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