This Tuesday, February 1, we celebrate the Chinese New Year, with the year of the Water Tiger. Traditions, recipes and activities… Find out when this age-old custom and its meanings date back to.
[Mise à jour du 1er février 2022 à 10h18]. The Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, takes place this Tuesday, February 1, 2022. This traditional celebration, which dates back more than 4,000 years, marks the beginning of theyear of the water tigerwhich follows that of the Metal Ox, started on February 12, 2021. The date varies every year because it is calculated according to the chinese lunar calendar : the first day of the year must be on the second new moon after the winter solstice, before the lunar phase of vernal equinox.
Chinese New Year sign: the water tiger animal
According to Chinese astrology, 2022 will be the year of the Water Tiger. An independent animal, the Tiger is more moderate when under the Water element. He sometimes lacks self-confidence, but that does not prevent him from having courage and strength. He is sensitive and wise, but also very intuitive. He does not act in a hurry, which allows him to move forward with caution and creativity. On the family side, the water tiger is very warm and attentive.
What are the Chinese New Year traditions?
If you are lucky enough to travel to a country (or neighborhood) celebrating the Chinese New Year, you will never forget this unique experience. In order to celebrate the event with dignity, houses and buildings are adorned with red decorations. During the New Year’s Eve dinner, multiple dishes, with very specific meanings, follow one another. At the end of the meal, the guests exchange red envelopes. They can contain money or congratulatory messages. No Chinese New Year without firecrackers and fireworks! For hundreds of years, they have accompanied the transition to the new year. In the streets, one can also witness the dragon and lion dance and savor traditional snacks.
What is the Lantern Festival?
Also called Little New Year, the Lantern Festival brings the Chinese New Year festivities to a close. It takes place this year on Tuesday, February 15. During this festival, the Chinese meet with family or friends to eat yuanxiao, stuffed rice balls, served in a soup whose rounded shape symbolizes the reunited family. In the evening, they go out into the street with lanterns in their hands to watch the moon, admire the fireworks, and play riddles written on the lanterns. During the day, various dances and walks on stilts are also organized. This custom dates back to the time of Emperor Qin Shihuang, who unified China around 2 centuries BC. Lantern riddles appeared later during the Song Dynasty (960-1279).
What is the Chinese New Year meal, what do we eat?
Chinese New Year Meal is also called “Spring Banquet” and is most often shared with family. What is on the menu is never chosen at random because the dishes must bring happiness and prosperity for the whole year to those who taste them. This is also why the dishes are generous!
On the tables, we almost necessarily find Fish, for what comes from the sea is considered a sign of abundance in China. Noodles, symbols of longevity, accompany the main dish. It is not uncommon forChinese fondue is prepared, allowing meat, vegetables and fish to be cooked. Sometimes we also find a meat dish, such as Peking duck or pork with caramel. Jiaozi ravioli, imperial rolls are also served on the side. Finally, for dessert, fruits are very present because many of them have a symbolic value and all represent health, happiness and prosperity. Clementines have pride of place, as they are synonymous with happy events in Chinese tradition. Cakes also hold an important place, such as “fortune cookies” and nougats, but on the Nian gao. It’s about traditional chinese new year cake and it is made from sticky rice and red bean paste. Obviously, all this represents a gargantuan meal, but it is a way to celebrate the new year in style and each dish is only tasted in small quantities by each guest. In addition, leftovers are highly regarded as they would ensure success in the coming year.
Our manual activities around the Chinese New Year
To keep the children busy and get them involved in preparing for the Chinese New Year, Hugo the snail offers you manual activities to do with young and old. A dragon with toilet paper rolls, dragon heads to cut out, Chinese New Year calendars to print or even a lantern-making workshop… Find all our activity ideas:
Chinese New Year parade canceled in 2022
In Paris, the procession that celebrates the Chinese New Year takes place in the 13and borough : it starts from avenue d’Ivry, then passes through avenue de Choisy, place d’Italie, avenue d’Italie, rue de Tolbiac, before returning to avenue d’Ivry after a detour via boulevard Masséna. The opportunity for children (and their parents) to attend an enchanting show, punctuated by the dance of the dragons. However, it will not take place this year, due to the health crisis. The town hall of the 13th arrondissement of the capital has however planned several painting exhibitions proposed by Chinese artists such as The spring is coming ! by Tay Nguyen, Origin of life by Wenyu Zhu or even Raminagrobis by Jie Wang.