Spr
ing Festival is the most important traditional Chinese holiday, also known as Chinese New Year. It is celebrated for 15 days, starting from the first day of the lunar month and ending with the Lantern Festival. Many people are familiar with some of the customs and traditions associated with Spring Festival, such as the dragon dance, red envelopes filled with money, and the huge feast with family and friends. However, there are also many lesser-known facts and stories behind this festive time. Let’s explore some cold knowledge about Spring Festival that you may not know yet.
1. Its origins date back to thousands of years ago. The earliest recorded Spring Festival celebrations can be traced back to the Shang Dynasty (1600 BC - 1046 BC). The holiday has gone through many changes over time, but it has always been a time to celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of spring. The Chinese lunar calendar, which determines the timing of Spring Festival, has been in use for over 2000 years.
2. The most widely watched television program in the world is the Spring Festival Gala. The Spring Festival Gala, or Chunwan in Chinese, is a variety show broadcasted on the eve of Chinese New Year. It has been a tradition since 1983 and has become a staple of Spring Festival celebrations. The show features Chinese pop stars, comedians, acrobats and many other performers. In recent years, it has attracted more than 1 billion viewers worldwide, making it the most-watched TV program in the world.
3. It's a time of migration. Spring Festival is the world's largest annual human migration, with hundreds of millions of Chinese people traveling to their hometowns to spend time with their families. It's called chunyun, which means "Spring Festival travel rush." The journey can be very long and very crowded, as people scramble to get train tickets or book flights.
4. Not all animals get a red envelope. Giving red envelopes filled with money to younger generations is a well-known custom during Spring Festival. However, not all animals get a red envelope. In Chinese zodiac, there are 12 animals associated with each year of the lunar cycle. In Chinese culture, it is believed that people born in the year of their zodiac animal are prone to having bad luck in that year. Therefore, it is taboo to give red envelopes to someone born in the same year as the current zodiac animal.
5. Gone are the days of noisy firecrackers. Firecrackers were once the most iconic feature of Spring Festival. They were believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune. However, over the years, many cities and towns have banned firecrackers due to the high risk of fire and the harm they cause to the environment and public health. Nowadays, people often celebrate with safer alternatives such as LED fireworks or fireworks shows. In conclusion, Spring Festival is a rich, complex holiday with a long and fascinating history. From the migration of millions of people to the world's most-watched TV program, there are many surprising facts and stories behind this ancient tradition that make it even more meaningful. As we head into the Year of the Ox, let's celebrate and appreciate the beauty and the depth of Spring Festival.