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The Chinese New Year & Spring Festival is one of the most important festivals in Chinese communities worldwide.
It signals a new year, the end of winter, and the beginning of Spring.
Before going to Australia, I didn't know much about the Chinese New Year.
But, after a couple of years in Sydney, which has a population of 1.2 million Chinese Australians, I started to feel a connection with them and a sense of their relevance to Sydney's society.
So, in 2019 when my Asian friends were celebrating a new year in February, calling it the year of the pig, I wondered, 'why are they celebrating the new year a month late, and what does it have to do with a pig?'
A zodiac pig from 2019 displayed in Sydney's Haymarket Suburb
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| A zodiac pig from 2019 displayed in Sydney's Haymarket Suburb |
Chinese communities celebrate two new years - the solar new year, on January 1st, based on our universal calendar (Gregorian), and the lunar new year, which falls between mid-January and February based on the Ancient Chinese (lunar) calendar.
The solar calendar keeps the Chinese community on track with the rest of the world, while the lunar calendar, based on moon phases, marks traditional Chinese festivals and holidays.
Holiday dates determined by the moon cycles change yearly, like Easter.
This year (2022), the Chinese New Year & Spring Festival falls on February 1st, the 2nd new moon after the winter solstice.
However, festivities begin on Lunar New Years' Eve and end on February 15th with the Lantern Festival.
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| The Moon Phases |
Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year are interchangeable terms in China, but not all cultures celebrating the lunar new year are Chinese.
Koreans celebrate Seollal, and in Vietnam, Tet. Whatever you call it, the standard greeting is Happy New Year, although it would make more sense to me if it were "Happy New Moon!"
Instead of a number, the Chinese calendar assigns one of its 12 animals from the Chinese Zodiac to represent the year in a recurring 12-year pattern.
The zodiac animals are the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
While I don't rely on astrological forecasts or astronomy to understand my personality or predict my future, I do happen to know that my horoscope sign is Sagittarius, and my zodiac animal is the dragon. Hehe.
2022 is the Year of the Tiger!
Tigers are mighty, and like them, people born in this zodiac year are determined and persistent.
However, they are also stubborn, rebellious, and arrogant.
Tigers are mighty, and like them, people born in this zodiac year are determined and persistent.
However, they are also stubborn, rebellious, and arrogant.
Over a billion people travel long distances to attend family gatherings and enjoy a reunion good luck dinner of dumplings, fish, and other traditional Chinese foods & fruits on Chinese New Year's Eve - similar to how we in the black community eat black-eyed peas on New Year's Day.
Chinese culture promotes the idea that folks will prosper and be happy if their lives are full of lucky foods, colors, and activities.
Over a billion people travel long distances to attend family gatherings and enjoy a reunion good luck dinner of dumplings, fish, and other traditional Chinese foods & fruits on Chinese New Year's Eve - similar to how we in the black community eat black-eyed peas on New Year's Day.
Chinese culture promotes the idea that folks will prosper and be happy if their lives are full of lucky foods, colors, and activities.
To prepare for the new year, they will clean their homes to rid them of any bad luck brought in from the previous year.
However, sweeping on New Year's day is forbidden, as it may sweep away good luck that came with the new year.
Settling disputes and paying off debts is essential for a fresh start, and in Sydney, it is easy to find a Bank of China to help you pay off any outstanding accounts.
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| Bank of China in the Chatswood Business District |
The lighting of fireworks or firecrackers during the new year promotes good luck because it scares away evil spirits.
New clothes are symbolic of a fresh start.
Red is worn throughout the new year's holiday for luck (unless it clashes with your skin tone like it does mine!)
If that's the case, wearing any bright color will ensure good things will happen.
Kids receive 'lucky' money in red envelopes, which symbolizes the passing on of good fortune.
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| Lunar New Year Money Envelopes |
A Chinese New Year tradition is the performance of the lion dance (also performed by dragons), which I saw with my Aussie friend, Farida, originally from Jakarta, Indonesia.
Like other holiday traditions, the lion or dragon dances ward off evil and brings happiness, joy, and luck.
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| Lion Dance Crowd |
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| Lion Dance in Sydney |
During the Lantern Festival, the last day of the holiday, children try to solve riddles written on lanterns.
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| Chinese lanterns with riddles |
Some families parade around with beautifully decorated paper light lanterns in the shapes of rabbits, a good luck zodiac animal.
In the Circular Quay harbor area, giant inflatables featuring all twelve zodiac animals light up a pathway called the 'Lunar Lanterns Walk.'
People and organizations all over Sydney celebrate the new year, regardless of heritage or brand.
The Australian Post even issued a new 2022 stamp in celebration!
While attending a church service at St. Andrews Anglican Church in Roseville on the first Sunday after the start of a Chinese New Year, the message "新年快乐", which means Happy New Year, greeted the congregation.
Afterward, I received a red envelope filled with chocolate gold coins.
St. Andrews Anglican Church, Roseville
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| St. Andrews Anglican Church, Roseville |
Chinese-Australian influence is everywhere down-under, and to the country's benefit.
Asian art, entertainment, cuisine, martial arts, and alternative medicine are all a part of the Australian experience.
When I developed back pain, I jumped on the opportunity to try an alternative healing therapy like acupuncture, which was easy to find and helped a lot.
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| Chatswood Suburb |
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| Chatswood Suburb |
There are usually beautiful displays throughout Sydney during the Chinese New Year.
However, some activities have been scaled back this year due to the pandemic, but there will still be plenty to see in Sydney's Chatswood, Darling Harbor, Chinatown, and City locations.
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| Chatswood Surburb |
Chatswood Suburb
Chatswood Suburb
Chatswood Suburb
Chatswood Suburb
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| Darling Harbor, Good Luck Dragons |
Chinatown Lunar Lanterns
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| Chinatown Lunar Lanterns |
Circular Quay Lunar Lantern