Chinese New Year Customs & How to Maximize the Energy
What is Chinese New Year & When did it Start?
Chinese New Year is a major celebration for Chinese people that occurs in their new year period around late January to February. The date of the new year is different every year, as it is based on a traditional lunar calendar, not the Gregorian one.
The festivities usually begin with the new moon that occurs at that time, and last about 15 days until the full moon, when there is a beautiful, symbolic Festival of Lanterns.
It is not known for sure when this custom started, but if you go back in Chinese history, religious ceremony was observed at the end of every year during the Shang Dynasty which reigned between 1766 BC to 1122 BC.
Others say that some form of this practice began even earlier, in the rule of Emperor Yao and Shun around 2300 BC.
The festivities usually begin with the new moon that occurs at that time, and last about 15 days until the full moon, when there is a beautiful, symbolic Festival of Lanterns.
It is not known for sure when this custom started, but if you go back in Chinese history, religious ceremony was observed at the end of every year during the Shang Dynasty which reigned between 1766 BC to 1122 BC.
Others say that some form of this practice began even earlier, in the rule of Emperor Yao and Shun around 2300 BC.
What Happens each Chinese New Year?
The Chinese New Year is a fun time of celebration and well wishes for one another in people's homes as well as in the community in the form of parades and other private and public celebrations.
For the Chinese, this whole auspicious period is about love, respect, culture, tradition, blessings and good fortune - which is why I wanted to write about it. but I also wanted to consider this from an energy perspective.
Many fun, cultural traditions are followed. Houses and shops are decorated with all sorts of bright, colorful symbolic items such as fruit, flowers, and lanterns.
For the Chinese, this whole auspicious period is about love, respect, culture, tradition, blessings and good fortune - which is why I wanted to write about it. but I also wanted to consider this from an energy perspective.
Many fun, cultural traditions are followed. Houses and shops are decorated with all sorts of bright, colorful symbolic items such as fruit, flowers, and lanterns.
Incorporated into all the illustrious ancient traditions are also public fireworks and a host of colorful performances.
Most notably is the popular 'Dancing Lion' performance, which is a traditional Chinese dance where the dancers dress in lion costume and kinesthetically portray the body & personality movements of the lion in order to bring good luck and fortune.
These customs are designed as sacred rites to also clear away or scare off bad spirits.
Most notably is the popular 'Dancing Lion' performance, which is a traditional Chinese dance where the dancers dress in lion costume and kinesthetically portray the body & personality movements of the lion in order to bring good luck and fortune.
These customs are designed as sacred rites to also clear away or scare off bad spirits.
Chinese New Year Customs & Color Symbolism
Chinese New Year is a time to remember and pay respect to one's ancestors. It is an occasion that invokes generosity and gift-giving.
In my mainstream job outside of my intuitive energy work, I actually teach Chinese children English. Every year they gleefully tell me stories of how they get generous gifts of money from elders in the family such as uncles (I am talking very generous amounts indeed - in some cases hundreds or even thousands of dollars).
Traditional Chinese belief is to not cut your hair at this time as scissors are a sharp tool considered a weapon that represent negative chi!
In my mainstream job outside of my intuitive energy work, I actually teach Chinese children English. Every year they gleefully tell me stories of how they get generous gifts of money from elders in the family such as uncles (I am talking very generous amounts indeed - in some cases hundreds or even thousands of dollars).
Traditional Chinese belief is to not cut your hair at this time as scissors are a sharp tool considered a weapon that represent negative chi!
Around this time of year you will notice a lot of bright colors such as red and yellow. Yellow signifies royalty, high social status, good luck and even heroism.
You might have noticed the color red being particularly prominent, such as red paper with black ink writings hung in front of the doors and beautiful red lanterns and costumes.
This is because in China, red is traditionally and culturally a powerful, symbolic color. It represents fire and is used deliberately as a potent element that can repel any negative energy.
You might have noticed the color red being particularly prominent, such as red paper with black ink writings hung in front of the doors and beautiful red lanterns and costumes.
This is because in China, red is traditionally and culturally a powerful, symbolic color. It represents fire and is used deliberately as a potent element that can repel any negative energy.
Clearing Out Bad Spirits & Preparing for New Positive Energy
In preparing for the auspicious occasion, it is custom to give one's house a thorough clean inside and out in order to clear out any old energy and allow in new positive energy as well as bring in good spirits and fortune.
The negative energy in China is referred to as “huiqi,” meaning inauspicious breaths. Just think of all that energy you pick up from other people during the year!
This really does make a lot of sense, and is akin to the traditions and state of mind also of western culture in our new year.
Clearing energy and it is a good practice to partake in and conceptualize for the new year or at any time of changing seasons, in order to get in touch with the Divine, universal flow of life.
The negative energy in China is referred to as “huiqi,” meaning inauspicious breaths. Just think of all that energy you pick up from other people during the year!
This really does make a lot of sense, and is akin to the traditions and state of mind also of western culture in our new year.
Clearing energy and it is a good practice to partake in and conceptualize for the new year or at any time of changing seasons, in order to get in touch with the Divine, universal flow of life.
Food Symbolism on Chinese New Year
Food is a large part of the celebrations also, and often specific food is eaten, due to it's symbolic nature. For example, eating a whole chicken (rather than individual elements of it) represents unity and completeness of family.
Fish as you are probably also, on a universal level represent abundance. Interestingly, usual custom is for the extended family to sit around the table for a large festive meal, where a last course a fish is provided as a symbol of abundance, but as such, in the context of being a sacred offering, is not actually eaten.
Long noodles are also cooked as tokens of youth and longevity, ie: to ensure a long, vital life. I find that fascinating!!
On the 15th and final day of festivities, round dumplings shaped like the full moon are shared as a sign of the family unit and the notion of unity, wholeness and perfection.
Fish as you are probably also, on a universal level represent abundance. Interestingly, usual custom is for the extended family to sit around the table for a large festive meal, where a last course a fish is provided as a symbol of abundance, but as such, in the context of being a sacred offering, is not actually eaten.
Long noodles are also cooked as tokens of youth and longevity, ie: to ensure a long, vital life. I find that fascinating!!
On the 15th and final day of festivities, round dumplings shaped like the full moon are shared as a sign of the family unit and the notion of unity, wholeness and perfection.
What we can Learn from this
Many of us have lost or not experienced symbolic traditions, customs or rituals of our own cultural religion or national heritage, and often over the years true meaning becomes lost.
I am not one for superstition, religious dogma or hard and fast rules, however I do like the idea of tradition and celebrating mindfully through symbolic actions and intentions. For me it is important to understand the true meaning and approach things intentionally and spiritually, rather than just follow rules and rituals in a mindless manner.
Maybe this article might inspire you to take note and do something symbolic for the new year.
I am not one for superstition, religious dogma or hard and fast rules, however I do like the idea of tradition and celebrating mindfully through symbolic actions and intentions. For me it is important to understand the true meaning and approach things intentionally and spiritually, rather than just follow rules and rituals in a mindless manner.
Maybe this article might inspire you to take note and do something symbolic for the new year.
Tips to Celebrate & Maximize Chinese New Year Energy
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- Create a sacred space and add anything that is meaningful to you from your own interests or traditions. This is about stepping into your natural power and spirituality. Setting clear intentions in a positive, mindful way in the form of sacred ritual is a beautiful way to connect your human 'self' with your Higher Self as well as mysterious 'Spirit.' It also allows you to enter natural states of awareness as well as open up doorways of your intuition and step into manifestation power. It is all about intention
- Add some feng shui objects and elements in various symbolic areas of your home.
- Behave well in order to set the tone for the year and show the universe you mean business!
I hope this article inspires you!
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