Celebrations & Customs
Gifts containing small amounts of money, traditionally given to children on New Year.
What are red envelopes?
Shaped like old Chinese gold ingots, they symbolize wealth and prosperity.
What are dumplings?
Wearing this color is encouraged to protect against bad luck.
What is the color red?
According to the legend, villagers used loud noises and red colors to scare away this beast.
What is the monster Nian?
This animal represents the year 2026
What is the Fire Horse?
These items are used to scare away evil spirits and the Nian monster.
What are fireworks and firecrackers?
Served whole, it symbolizes "abundance" or "surplus."
What is fish?
Doing this on New Year's Day is avoided because it might cut off good fortune.
What is cutting hair?
New year marks the start of this traditional Chinese calendar system.
What is the Lunar Calendar?
How many animals are in the zodiac cycle?
What is 12?
Families thoroughly clean their homes before New Year to do this with bad luck.
What is sweeping away?
Fried until golden brown, these represent gold bars or wealth.
What are spring rolls?
This number should be avoided because it sounds like the word "death."
What is the number four?
This person taught the villagers how to scare Nian away.
Who is the wise old man?
The only mythical creature in the zodiac is this powerful symbol.
What is the dragon?
On New year's Eve, families gather for this important meal to strengthen unity and bring prosperity.
What is the reunion Dinner?
Sweet, sticky, and glutenous, foods used to represent growth and progress.
What are sweet rice cakes?
Lending money at the start of the year is avoided because it suggests this.
What is being in debt all year?
The New Year celebration traditionally lasts this many days.
What is 15 days?
The Fire Horse represents these characteristics.
What is movement, acceleration, and freedom?
This festival is celebrated on the final day of New Year's celebrations.
What is the Lantern Festival?
Round fruits eaten for luck and prosperity due to their golden color.
What are mandarin oranges?
These numbers are considered lucky and are included in red envelopes.
What are even numbers?
The Lantern Festival falls on the first full moon of the new lunar year, symbolizing this.
What is reunion or completeness?
This animal finished first in the legendary race, it is the first year in the cycle.
What is the rat?