Chinese New Year is the big event of the Chinese year (around end of January───early February in the western calendar). It is a time when families, no matter how far away they live, come together to eat and talk. Traditionally, the mother and daughters will prepare special foods such as sticky cakes and rice and special dumplings. There are many unusual beliefs about Chinese New Year.

Although there is special food, some people do not eat meat on New Year Day. This is to bring them long and happy lives. The second day of the New Year, they are kind to dogs because this is considered the birthday of the dogs. On other days they will visit other relatives, give respect to parents-in-law and welcome the God of Wealth. Because farming used to be so important, farmers also have some special celebrations and make traditional drinks. From the 10th to the 12th days relatives are invited for dinner.

The house is specially decorated with flowers and short poems written on red paper. As we have seen above, red is considered lucky and white is the color of death. Therefore red is emphasized and white discouraged at this time. Children and elderly people are given money in red envelopes. The floor is not swept in case good fortune is swept out the door too. Firecrackers are set off and traditional folk activities such as lion dancing are enjoyed in the streets.

Today, perhaps not many people believe in the old ideas about good and bad fortune etc. However, they often like to follow the old traditions in the same way as Western people do.