From Winter Solstice to Lantern Festival: Chinese New Year rituals

The journey from the winter solstice to the Lantern Festival unfolds a vibrant tapestry of traditions that reflect the Chinese people's deep sense of ritual and their aspirations for a prosperous New Year. Rooted in ancient customs, this festive period bridges the cold winter days with the promise of spring renewal.

Winter solstice: The prelude to renewal

The winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year, marks the return of longer days and indicates the coming of spring. As the first designated term among the 24 Chinese solar terms, the winter solstice was considered the beginning of the year in some ancient calendars. It has been considered a highly auspicious day since ancient times. The saying "Winter solstice is as great as the New Year" reflects its importance.

One of the traditional customs that has been passed down throughout history is "counting the nines," a method of dividing the 81 days from the winter solstice to spring into nine sets of nine days. Since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), people have used the Nine-Nines Disperse the Cold Chart to mark the passage of time and anticipate the arrival of spring. This practice reflects an optimistic resilience and a way to endure the harshest days with creativity and hope. Each day, a section of the chart is completed and, stroke by stroke, winter transitions into spring.

Every year around the winter solstice, the ice-covered Chagan Lake in Songyuan, Jilin Province comes alive with the excitement of centuries-old winter fishing traditions dating back to the Liao (907-1125) and Jin (1115-1234) dynasties. The winter fishing season begins with a solemn ceremony to honor nature's abundance and wish for a bountiful catch. Fishermen drill holes by hand in the ice, set nets, and use horse-drawn winches to haul in their catch. This awe-inspiring spectacle not only sustains the local community but also embodies hopes for prosperity in the coming year.

The Laba Festival is celebrated on the eighth day of the twelfth month of the traditional Chinese calendar. A hallmark of this festival is eating Laba porridge, a tradition reflecting people's aspirations for a joyful and prosperous life that dates back to the Song Dynasty (960–1279). This porridge is made by simmering rice, beans, peanuts, red dates, longans, raisins and other ingredients together, and then sweetening it with sugar. Enjoying a bowl of Laba porridge not only warms the body but also evokes deep familial affection, nostalgia, and the festive joy of the approaching New Year.

At Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, the preparation of Laba porridge begins a week before the festival. Using six large steam cauldrons, staff work around the clock to produce approximately 40,000 servings daily. The porridge, made with 12 nutritious ingredients, is distributed to locals for free. This heartwarming tradition promotes kindness, gratitude, and community harmony.

Little New Year: Sending off the Kitchen God

Little New Year, also known as the Festival of the Kitchen God, occurs about a week before Chinese New Year. It is a pivotal moment for household renewal and spiritual preparation for the New Year. Families honor the Kitchen God and clean the house to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new, setting the stage for the New Year. In northern China, Little New Year is celebrated on the 23rd day of the twelfth month of the traditional Chinese calendar, while in the south it is celebrated on the 24th day.

Chinese New Year's Eve and beyond: A nation in celebration

The days leading up to Chinese New Year are filled with vibrant preparations. Markets bustle with activity as people shop for flowers, lanterns, couplets, food, and festive decorations.

In Guangdong Province, strolling through the Spring Festival flower markets is a beloved tradition that dates back to the Ming Dynasty, showcasing the season's beauty and anticipation. The annual activity is held for a couple of days until the Chinese New Year's Eve. During this time, people gather at designated locations for events that incorporate flowers and folk traditions. It serves as a farewell to the old year and a way to welcome the New Year with blessings and good fortune.

Celebrating the Spring Festival with decorative steamed buns is a cherished tradition in the eastern part of Shandong Province, symbolizing the locals' wishes for a prosperous and thriving year ahead. Made from flour, the buns are crafted into an array of vivid shapes, including lifelike figures, lively animals, and vibrant flowers, showcasing both their artistry and cultural significance.

On New Year's Eve, families reunite for a festive dinner, symbolizing harmony and togetherness. Customs such as hanging spring couplets and New Year paintings, setting off firecrackers, and enjoying firework shows add to the joyous atmosphere.

During the Spring Festival holiday, traditional temple fairs are held across the country. People enjoy lion dances, dragon dances, and various other folk arts and activities for leisure and recreation, fully relaxing and enjoying the festive joy.

Regional celebrations during the festival highlight China's cultural diversity. In southern China, the Yingge dance from the Chaoshan area of Guangdong Province, and deity parades along the southeast coast captivate spectators. In northern China, dazzling molten iron firework displays and Yangko dances, sometimes performed on stilts, bring communities together in festive cheer.

Lantern Festival: Illuminating the year ahead

The Lantern Festival marks the conclusion of the Chinese New Year celebrations. Lantern displays, dragon dances, and the enjoyment of sweet rice dumplings create a magical ambiance.

In Dachanglong Village in Puning, Guangdong Province, "Lantern Celebration" events are held every year on the eve and the day of the Lantern Festival. Thousands of villagers parade with lanterns, blending drumbeats and cheers in a vibrant celebration of prosperity and harmony.

In Yueqing, Zhejiang Province, Jewelry Dragon parades are held every year around the time of the Lantern Festival. The Jewelry Dragon is a unique type of dragon lantern that is modeled after a fishing boat. With over 400 years of history, the Jewelry Dragon represents a rich tradition of fine craftsmanship. It features a dragon head at the front and a tail at the back. Its central body is adorned with multi-tiered pavilions that house hundreds of lifelike figurines that can move through an intricate gear-driven mechanism. The vibrant parades are imbued with the local people's hopes for prosperity, harmony and abundant harvests in the coming year.

A celebration of renewal and hope

From the solemnity of winter solstice to the brilliance of the Lantern Festival, these traditions embody the warmth, joy, and aspirations for the Chinese New Year. They celebrate renewal, community, and the enduring spirit of hope. By exploring these customs, we discover not only their beauty but also the shared hopes they inspire for a brighter future.