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the most important traditional festival in China, Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, is celebrated by millions of people worldwide with activities such as family gatherings, festive meals, and fireworks displays. However, there are also some interesting, lesser-known facts about the holiday that you might not have heard of. In this article, we'll explore some of these cold, fascinating facts about Spring Festival.
1. It's the world's largest annual human migration Spring Festival is a time for families to come together, but many Chinese people work in cities far away from their hometowns. Therefore, during this time of year, people flock to crowded train stations, bus terminals, and airports to make the journey home, making it the largest annual human migration in the world. In 2019 alone, Chinese people made over 3 billion trips to celebrate the festival with their loved ones.
2. Red dominates the holiday decorations The color red is considered lucky in Chinese culture, and during Spring Festival, it dominates the decorations. Houses are often adorned with red lanterns and posters featuring the Chinese character for "Fu," which means good fortune. People also wear red clothing and give each other red envelopes containing money as a symbol of good luck.
3. Cleaning is an important pre-festival activity Before the arrival of Spring Festival, families traditionally do a deep cleaning of their homes, sweeping away any bad luck from the previous year and making room for good fortune to enter. The process involves cleaning every corner of the house and throwing away any unused items.
4. The holiday lasts for 15 days Spring Festival officially begins on the first day of the lunar calendar, which usually falls between January 21 and February 20, and lasts for 15 days in total. During this time, people participate in activities such as temple fairs, dragon and lion dances, and fireworks displays.
5. Zodiac animals play an important role Each year of the lunar calendar is associated with one of the 12 zodiac animals: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. People often identify with the traits of their zodiac animal and use it to determine their fortunes for the year.
6. Dumplings are a holiday staple One of the most popular foods during Spring Festival is dumplings. These tasty treats are filled with meat, vegetables, and other ingredients and are shaped like crescent moons, resembling the shape of coins. Eating dumplings is said to bring wealth and prosperity for the coming year.
7. The holiday is celebrated worldwide While Spring Festival is primarily a Chinese holiday, it is also celebrated in other countries with significant Chinese populations, such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam. In recent years, it has gained popularity in other parts of the world, with events like parades and cultural festivals being held in cities from London to New York. In conclusion, Spring Festival is a fascinating holiday full of interesting customs and traditions. Whether you're celebrating with family or just want to learn more about Chinese culture, there's always something new to discover.