Chun Jie (Chinese New Year)

(Pronounced Chwun Jee)

Chinese New Year celebrates the beginning of the Chinese calendar and the beginning of spring. The calendar is based on the moon cycle. The celebrations start with the new moon on the first day of the first lunar month and ends on the full moon 15 days later. There are a number of festivals and celebrations during the 15 days. It’s the most important holiday in Chinese culture. This year, Chinese New Year starts on the 19th of February. The biggest migration in the World happens every year during Chinese New Year, because the Chinese people want to be together with their family. An estimated 3.6 billion trips will occur during Chinese New Year.

Common greetings

“Xinnián kuàilè” and “Gong Xi Fa Cai” are ways of saying Happy New Year.

“Gong Xi Fa Cai” is the most common New Year greeting. “Gong Xi” means “Congratulations” and “Fa Cai” means “Prosperity”. So this phrase means wishing you much prosperity in the New Year. (Phonetically pronounced “Gong she fats’eye”.)

“Xinnián kuàilè”. In this greeting, “Xin” means “New” and “Nian” means “Year”. “Kuai” means “Happy”. This phrase is normally used when speaking to a young person. When greeting an elderly person, the phrase more normally used would be “Xin Nian Jian Kang”, where “Jian-Kang” means “Good Health”. A stranger would be greeted with “Xin Nian Hao”, meaning “Good New Year”. (Phonetically pronounced “Shin Neean Kwai Le” or “Jeean-Kang” or “How”).

Symbolism

There is a huge amount of symbolism involved with Chinese New Year. Symbols such as the full moon and oranges symbolise wholeness and togetherness, and one of the most common symbols of Chinese New Year is the “Hong Bao”, literally “Red Envelope”. It is used for money gifts.

Hong Bao are traditionally red, symbolising good luck and wealth. The Hong Bao’s decoration might be very complex or very simple. It might also have a picture. Images on the Hong Bao can be symbolic including a carp, a phoenix and dragon. Adults normally give Hong Bao to children. The amount of money varies, usually depending on the age of the child.

For example, a five year old might be given $5, but a ten year old might be given $10. Another thing that might affect how much money you are giving is your relationship with the person. You would generally give more to your child than your best friend’s child. My favourite part of Chun Jie or Chinese New Year is receiving Hong Bao.