2021『五』年春節

SOLAR DATE (2021)	LUNAR DATE	TITLE
February 5th	December 8th	Little New Year (小年—xiǎo nián)
February 11th	December 14th	New Year’s Eve (除夕—chúxì)
February 12th	December 15th	Spring Festival (春節—chūn jié)
February 13th	December 16th	To the in-laws (迎婿日—yíng xù rì)
February 14th	December 17th	Day of the Rat (鼠日—shǔ rì)
February 15th	December 18th	Day of the Sheep (羊日—yáng rì)
February 16th	December 19th	Break Five (破五—pò wǔ)
February 17th	December 20th	Day of the Horse (馬日—mǎ rì)
February 18st	December 21st	Day of the Human (人日—rén rì)
February 19th	December 22nd	Day of the Millet (谷日节—gǔ rì jié)
February 20th	December 23rd	Providence Health (天公生—tiān gōng shēng)
February 21st	December 24th	Stone Festival (石頭節—shí tou jié)
February 22nd	December 25th	Son-in-law Day (子婿日—zǐ xù rì)
February 23rd-25th	December 26th	Lantern Festival Preparations
February 26th	December 27th	Lantern Festival (元宵節—yuán xiāo jié)

Each of the 15 days for the Spring Festival is designated a specific activity or tradition. Although they vary between regions, here is a summary of what may be on the calendar.

February 5th: Little New Year (小年—xiǎo nián)

Before, social classes celebrated the Little New Year on different dates of the Chinese New Year calendar. Government officials celebrated the occasion on the 23rd, the common folk on the 24th, and fishermen on the 25th.

• Lunar date: December 8th (腊月二十三—là yuè èr shí sān)
• Solar (Gregorian) date: February 5th, 2020
• Activities and traditions: The day is mainly reserved prayers and traditions. People pray to the Stove God (祭灶—jì zào) and clean their homes to sweep away bad luck (扫年—sǎo nián).
• Food: Sugar melons (糖瓜—táng guā) or stove candy (灶糖—Zào táng) is a staple snack during this day in addition to baked wheat cakes (火烧 – huǒ shāo) and tofu soup (豆腐汤—dòufu tang).

February 11th: New Year’s Eve (除夕—chúxì)

Depending on the cycle of the moon, New Year’s Eve falls either on the 29th or 30th on the Lunar December of the Chinese New Year calendar. Regardless, it is also referred to as the 30th of the year (大年三十—dà nián sān shí)

• Lunar date: December 14th (腊月三十—là yuè sān shí)
• Solar (Gregorian) date: February 12th, 2021
• Activities and traditions: The reunion dinner takes place on this day. After the most important dinner of the year, children receive red pockets and the whole family stays up late to welcome the New Year.
• Food: Everyone’s favourite dishes are served during the reunion dinner.

February 12th: Spring Festival (春節—chūn jié)

This day was originally known as the Yuán Dàn (元旦) as “yuán” means “the beginning.” Today, Yuán Dàn is used to refer to the New Year of the Solar (Gregorian) Calendar.

• Lunar date: December 15th (正月初一—zhēng yuè chū yī)
• Solar (Gregorian) date: February 12th, 2021
• Activities and traditions: Firecrackers signify the beginning of the New Year as people go around the neighbourhood to say greetings and blessings. In ancient China, folks used to record and study the weather, stars, and the moon to predict the fortunes of the year. The practice was referred to as hàn suì (占岁).
• Food: The dishes served from last night are consumed to go with Tusu Wine (屠苏酒—tú sū jiǔ).
• Superstitions and beliefs: You are prohibited from cleaning on this day as it is equivalent to sweeping away good luck.

February 13th: To the in-laws (迎婿日—yíng xù rì)

In the northern regions of China, this day is celebrated on the 3rd of Lunar January of the Chinese New Year calendar. There are several traditions also that take place during this day.

• Lunar date: December 16th (正月初二—zhēng yuè chū èr)
• Solar (Gregorian) date: February 13th, 2021
• Activities and traditions: A married daughter has to bring her husband and their children to her parents’ home on this day. She must bring a gift bag of crackers and candies for the mother to distribute to neighbours. The modesty of the gift expresses that it is the thought that counts and represents the daughter’s longing for her hometown.
• Food: The daughter, her husband, and their children eat lunch together with her parents as she must go back to her husband’s home before dinner.

February 14th: Day of the Rat (鼠日—shǔ rì)

There are many interesting Chinese folklores, but perhaps one of the most fascinating would be the lore that rats marry on the 27th of January. However, unlike other festivities in China, this one has no specific food associated with it.

• Lunar date: December 17th (正月初三—zhēng yuè chū sān)
• Solar (Gregorian) date: February 14th, 2021
• Activities and traditions: People share their harvest with rats by leaving grains and crackers in corners. They will then go to bed early so as not to disturb the “wedding.” In return, the rats will not bother them throughout the year.

February 15th: Day of the Sheep (羊日—yáng rì)

Like most other nations, China also has a mythology that explains the world’s existence. In Chinese mythology, Nǚwā (女娲) created the world and made sheep on the fourth day. This day in January is when they celebrate such creation.

• Lunar date: December 18th (正月初四—zhēng yuè chū sì)
• Solar (Gregorian) date: February 15th, 2021
• Activities and traditions: People pray to the God of Wealth on this day. They offer fruits, wine, and three types of meat. At midnight, people open their windows and eat and drink until daybreak to welcome God.
• Food: Three tables of food are prepared to welcome the five gods (接五路—jiē wǔ lù). The first has kumquats and sugarcanes for a sweet life and a prosperous road, the second has cakes, and the third has the main course of a whole pig, whole chicken, and whole fish.
• Superstitions and beliefs: Slaughtering sheep is prohibited on this day. If the weather is fine, it is taken as a sign that sheep will be healthy this year and that the family will have a good harvest.  

February 16th: Break Five (破五—pò wǔ)

Having prayed to the God of Wealth, store owners re-open their shops on this day of the Chinese New Year calendar. In ancient China, women were also allowed to go out and give New Year blessings.

• Lunar date: December 19th (正月初五—zhēng yuè chū wǔ)
• Solar (Gregorian) date: February 16th, 2021
• Food: People eat dumplings (饺子—jiaozi) on this day to bring in wealth. Chinese tradition would dictate that dumplings be consumed for five days straight. Although this custom is not strictly observed today, you are sure to find dumplings during the Spring Festival.
• Superstitions and beliefs: Some believe that taboos or activities prohibited on the other days can be performed on the Break Five, while others think it is inappropriate to work on this day.  

February 17th: Day of the Horse (马日—mǎ rì)

While the sheep are said to have been created on the fourth day, according to Chinese folklore, Nǚwā created the horse on the sixth day. This day is dedicated to the existence of the horse.

• Lunar date: December 20th (正月初六—zhèng yuè chū liù)
• Solar (Gregorian) date: February 17th, 2021
• Activities and traditions: After getting enough rest from the day before, people can start working again on this day. They also offer banana boat candles and burn scraps to send the spirit of poverty away (送穷鬼—sòng qióng guǐ).
• Superstitions and beliefs: People make use of this time to clean their homes because it is believed that the God of Bathrooms (厕所神—cè suǒ shén) will visit to check on the sanitary conditions.

February 18th: Day of the Human (人日—rén rì)

Finally, per the Chinese mythology, humans were created by Nǚwā on the 7th day. The celebration of the Day of the Human originated in the Han Dynasty. It, however, continues today.

• Lunar date: December 21st (正月初七—zhēng yuè chū qī)
• Solar (Gregorian) date: February 18th, 2021
• Activities and traditions: In the ancient state, people wore a hair accessory called rén sheng (人胜), especially on this day. Colourful cutouts of flowers and people were also pasted onto windows.
• Food: The main dish for this celebration is the Seven Gem Porridge (七宝羹—qī bǎo gēng). Its ingredients include seven types of vegetables namely: kale, leek, mustard leaves, celery, garlic, spring vegetable (春菜—chūn cài) and thick leaf vegetables (厚瓣菜—hòu bàn cài).
• Superstitions and beliefs: Having fair weather on this day is seen as an indicator of a safe and sound year.

February 19th: Day of the Millet (谷日节—gǔ rì jié)

As an agricultural society, the millet grain was highly regarded in the ancient period and this day on the Chinese New Year calendar is believed to be the millet grain’s birthday.

• Lunar date: December 22nd (正月初八—zhēng yuè chū ba)
• Solar (Gregorian) date: February 19th, 2021
• Activities and traditions: As a show of respect to nature, pets like fish and birds are released back to the wild. People also bring children to rural areas in order to make them appreciate farmers and agriculture.
• Superstitions and beliefs: A fair weather on the Day of the Millet is seen as a sign of a bountiful harvest. On the other hand, grey skies should be taken as a warning for a year of losses.

February 20th: Providence Health (天公生—tiān gōng shēng)

This day is said to be the birthday of the highest god, the Jade Emperor (玉皇大帝—yù huáng dà dì). In Daoism, the emperor is the ruler of the universe. Hence, this day involves a widespread celebration.

• Lunar date: December 23rd (正月初九—zhēng yuè chū jiu)
• Solar (Gregorian) date: February 20th, 2021
• Activities and traditions: Ceremonies for the Jade Emperor are performed on this day. In some regions, women would bring aromatic flower candles to natural wells, harbours, or open spaces to pray to the gods.
• Superstitions and beliefs: Everyone has to fast and bathe before praying. When offering meat, the animal must be male.

Do you want to be well prepared for the Spring Festival? Read Chinese New Year clothes, Chinese New Year decorations, and Spring Festival Gala to know more.

February 21st: Stone Festival (石头节—shí tou jié)

The Chinese term for “ten” (十—shí) is a homophone of the term for stone (石) so this day is believed to be the birthday of the rock. Interestingly, there is even bread associated with this celebration.

• Lunar date: December 24th (正月初十—zhēng yuè chū shí)
• Solar (Gregorian) date: February 21st 2021
• Activities and traditions: In some regions, people freeze a clay jar onto a smooth stone a night prior to the Stone Festival. The following morning, ten young persons carry the jar around. If the jar does not fall, it is taken as a sign of a bountiful harvest.
• Food: Baked bread (馍饼—mó bǐng) is usually served as the meal for lunch. This is believed to make the road to wealth open and smooth.
• Superstitions and beliefs: On this day, you are forbidden from using tools made of stone such as rollers and millstones.

February 22nd: Son-in-law Day (子婿日—zǐ xù rì)

This day is more like a family day, or a father’s day in reverse, that instead of kids and mom’s treating the dad, it would be the fathers who take their daughters and sons-in-law to dinner on this day.

• Lunar date: December 25th (正月十一—zhēng yuè shí yī)
• Solar (Gregorian) date: February 22nd, 2021
• Food: This day is a time dedicated to in-laws and leftover food from Providence Health is usually warmed for this occasion.

Want to learn more about Chinese culture? Read our articles on Chinese New Year traditions, Chinese New Year mythology, and Chinese New Year superstitions.

February 23rd-25th: Lantern Festival Preparations

The lantern release is very reminiscent of the animation Tangle, but it has a more interesting way of celebrating since people start crafting their lanterns during this period to prepare for the Lantern Festival (元宵节 – Yuán xiāo jié).

• Lunar date: December 25th (正月十二-十四—zhèng yuè shí’èr—shí’sì)
• Solar (Gregorian) date: February 23rd-25th, 2021
• Superstitions and beliefs: Customarily, people make noise on the 11th, build light sheds on the 12th, light lanterns on the 13th, light is bright on the 14th, a full moon on the 15th, and end the lights on the 16th. This is in accordance with a saying that has a nice rhyme in Chinese and sums up the activities for the said days.

February 26th: Lantern Festival (元宵节—yuán xiāo jié)

This festival used to last for 10 days during the Ming Dynasty. Today, the celebrations go on for five days. The culminating would be the release of lanterns that the people laboured on for four days. Such a majestic scene!

The Lantern Festival is celebrated on January 15th of the Lunar Calendar.

• Lunar date: December 27th (正月十五—zhēng yuè shí wǔ)
• Solar (Gregorian) date: February 26th, 2021
• Activities and traditions: Lanterns of different shapes and sizes are plentiful during the festival. Lantern Riddles (猜灯谜—cāi dēng mí) is a game played by all ages during the occasion. Gazing at the full moon is also a popular activity.
• Food: Yuan xiao are glutinous rice balls that are named after the festival. They can be boiled, steamed, or fried and are consumed as desserts.
• Superstitions and beliefs: The Chinese term for “lanterns” (天灯—tiān dēng) sounds similar to the term for “add children” (添丁—tiān dīng). Couples light sky lanterns in hopes of bearing children to add to the family.

Conclusion

Chinese New Year is one of the main holidays in China. It is allied with several customs and myths. The Chinese New Year is also celebrated in various parts of Asia in modern times and is a public holiday. During this celebration, they honour their gods and their ancestors. Each date has its own value and beliefs. As an example, on New Year’s eve, the families need to have an annual reunion dinner. It is also customary for a growing family to clean their house completely in order to brush away all poor luck to make room for good luck. Another custom they have is to give money in red paper envelopes. Thus their customs, their values, their beliefs mean a lot for them. The Chinese people also believe in the Chinese Zodiac Sign, Chinese Zodiac Compatibility and the Chinese Zodiac Animals that define their personalities and future predictions. Millions of people from around the world also believe in the Chinese Zodiac Cycle and Chinese fortune prediction. They can also predict compatibility and predictions about relationship phases through animal signs and finds the Chinese calendar and Lunar month. The Chinese families also believe in bad fortune and other myths that they avoid in the household during the new year. During this festive, the Chinese people hosts performances in the street and big feasts. They have been following this tradition for generations and every Chinese individual anticipate for this season.