Malaysia
Thailand
Indonesia
Happy Happy CNY, Happy Happy You and I!
Chinese New Year (CNY) is one of the most celebrated festivals in this world. It’s not just about ringing in a new year, but it is also a time to honor traditions, family, and good fortune! From New Year’s Eve (除夕) to the Firteenth Day (元宵) of the CNY, every day has its own unique traditional rules to follow. Let’s explore them together!
Table of Contents
The Origin of Chinese New Year: A Tale of the “Nian” Monster
Image Source: 腾讯网
According to legend, a monster called “Nian” (年兽) would appear every year, terrorizing villages. It was discovered that Nian feared the color red, loud noises, and fire. To keep it away, people began decorating their homes with red banners, setting off firecrackers, and lighting lanterns. These practices became the traditions we follow today, symbolizing triumph over challenges and welcoming prosperity.
5 Lucky Foods You Must Try During CNY
Image Source: Women’s Health
- Fish (鱼): The Chinese word for fish sounds like “surplus” (余), representing abundance. Serving a whole fish means prosperity and completeness.
- Chicken (鸡): Its Hokkien pronunciation sounds like “family” (家). A whole chicken on the table signifies family unity and blessings.
- Rice Cake (年糕): The name sounds like “year high” (年年高升), symbolizing growth and progress.
- Dumplings: Their shape resembles ancient gold ingots, bringing wealth and good fortune.
- Mustard greens, also called as ‘Long Year Vegetable’ (长年菜): Eating these whole represents a wish for a long, healthy life.
Pro Tips: Searching for CNY dishes Delivery? Book with EasyParcel’s On-Demand Delivery! Learn More
CNY Traditions: From New Year's Eve (除夕) to Chap Goh Meh (元宵)
1. New Year's Eve (除夕): Reunion Dinner & Staying Awake
Image Source: 乐之游
- Tradition: Families gather for a feast, pay respects to ancestors, and exchange red packets (ang baos). Staying up late is believed to bring longevity to your parents.
- Taboos:
- Don’t sweep or take out the trash—you might sweep away your fortune!
- Break something? Quickly say “岁岁平安” (suì suì píng ān), which ‘break'(碎) sounds the same as ‘year’ (岁) so ‘岁岁平安’ brings the meaning “peace year after year,” to turn bad luck into good fortune.
2. Day 1 (初一): New Clothes & Positive Energy
Image Source: 皇后情报局
- Tradition: Wear new red clothes (red = luck!), visit temples, and greet relatives with auspicious phrases like “Happy New Year!” (新年快乐).
- Taboos:
- No sweeping, as this could “sweep away wealth.”
- Avoid eating porridge, which is associated with poverty.
3. Day 2 (初二): Visiting Your Parents 回娘家
Image Source: 回娘家
- Tradition: Married daughters return to their parents’ homes, bringing red packets and gifts in pairs for double the blessings.
- Taboos:
- Don’t wash clothes—it’s believed to offend the Water God.
4. Day 3 (初三): Stay Home & Rest
- Tradition: Known as “Red Dog Day” (赤狗日), it’s considered an unlucky day to visit others. Instead, stay home to relax or prepare for the rest of the holiday.
- Special Note: Don’t forget EasyParcel’s Fortune Ang Pao Bonanza and Send & Win Jackpot both end on this day! Join to win big this CNY!
- Taboos:
- Avoid arguments; this day is all about maintaining harmony.
5. Day 4 (初四): Welcoming the Gods 接神日
Image Source: yam news
- Tradition: It’s believed that gods return to Earth on this day. Families prepare offerings like fruits, candies, and meats to welcome them.
- Taboos:
- Avoid traveling too far—you might miss the time to welcome the gods!
6. Day 5 (初五): Opening Business & Wealth Day 迎财神
- Tradition: Businesses reopen to signify a prosperous start. Firecrackers are lit to attract good fortune.
- Taboos:
- Avoid starting construction or major projects.
7. Day 6 (初六): Cleaning Out the Old 送穷日
- Tradition: Sweep away any lingering “bad luck” from the holiday. Many families take this day to plan trips or resume their usual routines.
8. Day 7 (初七): Renri / Lo Hei Day 人日
Video Source: Facebook
Day seven is known as “Renri,” or everyone’s birthday. It’s a day to wish each other good fortune and blessings for the new year. People avoid too many encounters, as it is believed to be a “Seven Killings” day. In Malaysia and Singapore, this is also the day for Lo Hei (tossing the yusheng salad), a popular New Year tradition.
9. Day 8 (初八): Birthday of the rice 谐星下界
On the eighth day, it is said to be the birthday of rice. If the weather is sunny, it’s a sign of a good harvest; if cloudy, it predicts a poor harvest.
Haven’t Join EasyParcel?
Shipping newbie? No worries! EasyParcel welcomes you with a sweet FREE S$6 for your first shipment. And that’s just the beginning! Sign up today and join the fun!
10. Day 9 (初九): Emperor Jade’s Birthday 天宫诞
Image Source: Facebook
Translate: The Hokkien People on the Eighth Day vs Nineth Day of CNY
Day nine marks the birthday of Emperor Jade. People prepare offerings and pray at temples or outdoor spaces, asking for his blessings and protection.
11. Day 10 (初十): Birthday of Stone 祭石日
As ten (十) sounds the same as stone (石), so day ten is considered the birthday of stones. The legendary “Shi Gan Dang” is a stone placed at the corner of courtyard walls, symbolizing protection and blessings for the household.
During the festival, people throw beans in front of the “Shi Gan Dang” to express gratitude for its protection throughout the year. During the ritual, clean water is used to gently wipe down the doorstep, horse mounting stones, stone lions, and “Shi Gan Dang,” hoping for continued blessings and prosperity in the coming year.
Taboo: avoid using stone tools like mills and grinders, and sometimes even hold ceremonies to honor stones.
12. Day 11 (初十一): Son-in-law Day 子婿日
On the eleventh day, it’s customary for fathers-in-law to host a feast for their son-in-law, wishing them a happy and harmonious family life.
13. Day 12 (初十二): Daughter Returns for a Simple Meal
If a daughter hasn’t returned home by the second day of the CNY, her parents invite her back on the twelfth day. They prepare a simple meal of congee with preserved vegetables (known as “Long Bean”), symbolizing care and love for their daughter’s well-being.
14. Day 13 (初十三): Lion Dance and Temple Fair
From the thirteenth to the fourteenth day, lion dances, parades, and temple fairs are held across towns. On the thirteenth day, a traditional practice involves lighting lamps under the stove, called Lighting the Stove Lamp.
15. Day 14 (初十四): Building Lantern Pavilions
On the fourteenth day, villages begin preparations for Lantern Festival. Crafting and decorating lanterns are key activities as they prepare for the grand celebration on the fifteenth day.
16. Day 15: Lantern Festival, Chap Goh Mei (元宵)
Image Source: Malaysian Global Design Studio
Chap Goh Mei (night of day 15 in Hokkien), also known as Yuan Xiao Jie or Lantern Festival, falls on the 15th night of the CNY. It marks the end of traditional Chinese New Year celebrations, and on this day, red lanterns are placed to celebrate the first full moon of the year.
This day is also referred to as Chinese Valentine’s Day, where unmarried women write their names and contact details on mandarin oranges and toss them into rivers. The belief is that a man will retrieve the oranges and make contact, giving these single women a chance to meet potential suitors for marriage.
Chinese New Year is all about traditions that bring blessings, harmony, and joy. Whether you’re preparing a whole fish for dinner or sending festive gifts to loved ones, let EasyParcel simplify your delivery needs. With reliable service and convenient options, you can focus on enjoying the celebrations worry-free.
Here’s wishing you a fantastic CNY — 岁岁平安, 年年有余, and endless happiness! 🧧
