Cultural heritages shine in Spring Festival celebration

Lighting firecrackers, hanging lanterns and couplets, and eating dumplings; these are just some of the traditional celebrations of the most important event on the calendar for Chinese people worldwide – Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year.

In December, these practices and traditions of celebrating the New Year received even greater recognition when UNESCO added them to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

For many Chinese, Spring Festival is more than just a time for festive reunions and celebrations. It represents cultural continuity and embodies an intangible heritage that has endured for centuries.

During this celebration, unique traditions like paper-cutting, New Year woodblock prints, and lantern shows take center stage, showcasing the richness of Chinese culture.

1. Paper-cutting tradition

Dating back to the 6th century, Chinese paper-cutting is a traditional handicraft that involves cutting elaborate designs into paper. It plays an important role in Chinese festivals and ethnic activities. The cultural connotations have made it one of the richest Chinese folk arts.

The subjects of these paper-cuts – ranging from opera characters, historical tales, flora and fauna, to landscapes and lucky patterns – decorate window panes across China during Spring Festival. These designs not only enhance the festive atmosphere but also convey good wishes for the coming year.

Many regions, including Shanxi and Shaanxi, continue to preserve this tradition during the festival, reflecting their unique aesthetics and cultural heritage. 

2. New Year woodblock printing tradition

Colored Woodblock prints, or Nianhua, are a traditional art form that has adorned Chinese homes during the Spring Festival for over 1,000 years. These prints, symbolic of good fortune, happiness, and protection, remain an integral part of Spring Festival decorations.

Reflecting the rich history, folklore, and aesthetics of China, Nianhua continues to thrive. Different regions in China have developed their own styles and motifs, with famous centers of production in Yangliuqing in Tianjin and Taohuawu in Suzhou.

3. Traditional New Year lantern show

During the Spring Festival, colorful lanterns featuring creative designs light up the night sky, adding a festive glow to the celebrations. Lantern shows are not just a visual delight but also a symbol of reunion, happiness, and the arrival of spring.

Among the many dazzling lantern displays, two of them stand out: the Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival in Shanghai and the Zigong Lantern Festival in Sichuan, both renowned for their creativity and splendor.