Ten surprising Chinese Lunar New Year customs

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Happy Chinese New Year 2017 - the lunar Year of the Rooster. The New Year holiday season began on January 27 and will last for 15 days. Wondering how Chinese spend the holiday? The following customs and taboos may give you some clues.

1. The date varies

The date of the Chinese Lunar New Year is based on a combination of the lunar and solar movement, so it is different in each year. It always falls between January 21 and February 20.

2. Chinese Lunar New Year is named after zodiac animals

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There are in total 12 zodiac signs on a circle: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. The zodiac traditionally begins with the sign of the Rat and ends with the Pig. The Chinese zodiac and its variation are popular in some East Asian countries, for example Vietnam, Japan and Mongolia.

3. The world's largest human migration happens

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Around 200 million people from the Chinese mainland travel a long distance to go back home for an annual reunion with their families. It is estimated that 3.5 billion journeys are made during the 15-day holiday season, the largest of its kind in the world.

4. The world's biggest consumption of fireworks

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At midnight on New Year's Eve or "Chuxi" in Chinese, it is a tradition to set off fireworks to send off the old year and welcome in the new. No where in the world can compete with China in the consumption of fireworks, as Chinese people believe that the sound of them can drive off evil spirits.

5. The New Year Celebration ends with the Lantern Festival

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In the 15th evening of the first lunar month, Chinese families gather for dinner and light lanterns. They write wishes on the lanterns and let them fly or float to remind gods of their wishes.

6. During the 15-day holiday season, each day has a special schedule

Chinese New Year celebrations last for 15 days, each day with a special schedule. For example, the first day of the New Year is the time to visit the seniors of the family and the second day is for a married daughter to visit parents.

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There are also things that are not supposed to be done during the holidays. If you do, you may come across bad luck or evil spirits in the coming year, as superstition puts it.

1. Avoid taking medicine

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It is a taboo for a person to brew or take herbal medicine on the first day of the lunar month, because people believe if they do they will get ill for the whole year.

2. Pay off debts before the New Year's Eve

If you borrowed money from your friends last year, you are supposed to pay back the money before the New Year. Lending money on the first day of the lunar month is also prohibited.

3. Needlework should not be done

The use of knives and scissors is to be avoided in case of any possible accident. Harming yourself or other people is thought to be inauspicious for the year ahead.

4. Avoid haircut during the first lunar month

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Chinese people believe that if you get your hair cut in the first lunar month, it will do harm to your maternal uncle.

(Source: Xinhua)