When it comes to Chinese New Year’s Eve (除夕, Chúxì) customs, aside from having the reunion dinner (年夜饭, Nián Yè Fàn) and staying up late (守岁, Shǒu Suì), many people may not know about the other traditions! Chinese New Year’s Eve, the last evening of the lunar year, is rich with customs that focus on removing the old, welcoming the new, and praying for blessings. Here are 14 common traditions:
1. Reunion Dinner (年夜饭, Nián Yè Fàn)
The New Year’s Eve dinner, also known as the reunion dinner, has existed since at least the Southern and Northern Dynasties. In the north, dishes often include dumplings (饺子, Jiǎo Zi), fish (鱼, Yú), rice cakes (年糕, Nián Gāo), and longevity vegetables (长年菜, Cháng Nián Cài). Dumplings symbolize wealth (shaped like gold ingots), fish symbolizes surplus (年年有余), and rice cakes represent prosperity (年年高升). Southern dishes may feature chicken, roast pork, and fācài (发菜), a type of edible moss paired with oysters (蚝豉, Háo Shì), as their names sound like “prosperity” (发财好市).
Traditionally, the seating arrangement is hierarchical, with the eldest or most respected person sitting at the head table.
2. Avoid Fetching Water (不汲水, Bù Jí Shuǐ)
It is taboo to fetch water during Chinese New Year. Families with wells will “seal” the well on New Year’s Eve by covering it and offering sacrifices, resuming use three days later.
3. Ancestor Worship (祭祖, Jì Zǔ)
Honoring ancestors is a key ritual. Families prepare a table of food and light incense to pay respects. In some rural areas, people also burn paper money at home, expressing gratitude and reverence for their ancestors (慎终追远). Only after the ancestors are “fed” can the family start their meal.
4. Red Envelopes (压岁钱, Yā Suì Qián)
Historically, red envelopes were filled with coins strung together in auspicious shapes, such as fish (钱余) or dragons (钱龙), symbolizing blessings for the recipient. Nowadays, money is placed in red envelopes and distributed to children, symbolizing good fortune.
5. Stepping on the Year (踩岁, Cǎi Suì)
Families carry out this symbolic activity by stepping on bundles of sesame stalks tied with yellow paper to create a Treasure Bowl (聚宝盆). This act symbolizes crushing bad luck (碎 sounds like 岁) and welcoming prosperity.
6. Staying Up All Night (守岁, Shǒu Suì)
This tradition of staying awake until dawn dates back to the Jin Dynasty. Folklore says it originated to ward off mythical creatures with firelight, red decorations, and loud sounds. Families stay up, light candles, and say auspicious words.
7. Keeping Lights On (开灯睡觉, Kāi Dēng Shuì Jiào)
On New Year’s Eve, the lights must remain on all night, especially in rooms with ancestor offerings. Turning off lights before the first day is considered inauspicious.
8. Avoid Breaking Objects (忌打碎器物, Jì Dǎ Suì Qì Wù)
Breaking dishes on New Year’s Eve is thought to bring misfortune. If something breaks, people wrap the fragments in red paper and say, 岁岁平安 (“peace every year”) to neutralize the bad luck.
9. Spring Couplets (春联, Chūn Lián)
Spring couplets, originating in the Tang Dynasty, express wishes for the new year. People affix them on doorways, with messages like 三阳始布 (symbolizing renewal).
10. New Year Paintings (年画, Nián Huà)
Similar to couplets, New Year paintings were originally images of door gods. Over time, they expanded to include themes of wealth, prosperity, and harvest blessings, such as 福禄寿三星图 (the three stars of fortune, prosperity, and longevity).
11. Window Decorations (窗花, Chuāng Huā)
Intricate paper cuttings symbolize happiness and good fortune. These decorations enhance the festive atmosphere and express hopes for the coming year.
12. “福” Characters (贴福字, Tiē Fú Zì)
Placing the character “福” (Fú, meaning fortune) on doors represents the wish for blessings and happiness in the household. Many also paste it upside down, as 倒 (upside down) sounds like 到 (arrival).
13. Returning Home by Midnight (零点必须回家, Líng Diǎn Bì Xū Huí Jiā)
Families gather to celebrate, but everyone must return home before midnight. At the stroke of twelve, firecrackers are lit to welcome the new year.
14. Firecrackers (燃爆竹, Rán Bào Zhú)
“Opening the door with firecrackers” (开门爆竹) is a long-standing tradition. The sound drives away bad spirits and ushers in a joyful, prosperous year.
These customs, rooted in history and symbolism, reflect the joy, reverence, and hope surrounding Chinese New Year’s Eve. How many of these traditions do you practice?
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