The Chinese New Year starts with the first New Moon of a New Year and ends with the Full Moon 15 days later. So, we celebrate the Chinese New Year for 2 entire weeks plus one day.
The family celebrates the Chinese New Year according to what is called the Lunar Year which means ‘Moon Year’. This celebration is considered a way to get rid of the old year and celebrate the new one with great thoughts, prayers and happy times.
15 days to celebrate
New Years Eve — We celebrate family and our ancestors on this day. The Chinese believe that it is our ancestors who ‘laid-the-foundation’ for our family as we know it today.
New Years Day — We feast !! You may call it a Thanksgiving feast that includes our family and what we are thankful for. On this day, many Chinese give read envelopes filled with money, and exchange small gifts .
2nd day — Dog day. I know, this sounds strange but we do lots of praying and are thankful for dogs, because the Chinese believe that the 2nd day is all dog’s birthday.
3rd Day and 4th Day — These days are the days all sons-in-law pay respect to their wives families. Fortunes are read, and
5th Day — This day is called, “Po Woo.” This is the day everyone stays home in anticipation of welcoming wealth into their house. No one visits each other or leaves their house because this will bring bad luck to both people. I call it a day of rest!
6th Day through 10th Day — This is the time of family feasting and fun. We go to temples, get together with lots of relatives and celebrate by enjoying our family.
11th Day through 12th Day — We invite friends to dinner and share our wealth.
13th Day — We spend time eating very simple food because all those dinners have become too much.
14th Day — We plan for our last big day by making lanterns and parade floats, streamers and dragons. We really look forward to this final day of celebration.
15th Day — This is Lantern Festival day. It is a festival with singing, lantern shows and dancing.
Janet Woods Medical Reiki Master 