Basics
CNY is known by what two other names?
Spring Festival and Lunar New Year.
(CNY therefore is either in January or February, depending on the year/lunar calendar.)
On the first day, the ___ members of society will be visited.
oldest and most senior
The visits serve to strengthen family ties.
People say that after being offered sacrifices, Tsai Shen, the God of ___, leaves for heaven on the second day of the lunar New Year.
Wealth
What do people do to their homes to prepare for the holiday?
They clean them.
Cleaning the home signifies cleaning away the bad spirits. Some put a new coat of paint on doors and door frames.
To honor Nüwa's creation of animals either ___ will be eaten.
vegetable dishes or a raw fish and vegetable salad called yusheng (simplified Chinese: 鱼生; pinyin: yúshēng)
Tangerines are traditionally handed out, displayed, and eaten during CNY. What do they symbolize?
Luck and prosperity.
Keep the leaves on the fruit because they symbolize longevity.
Bài nián refers to both "____."
pay a New Year's call & wishing somebody a Happy New Year
People will burn the ___ and see the deity off.
picture they welcomed on the New Year’s Eve
Doing so lets them wish for a luckier and more prosperous year.
If given an envelope during CNY, one should not ___ it in front of the giver.
open
According to Chinese tradition, when making a noodle dish, the noodles should remain long and not be cut short. Why?
Long strands of noodles represent long life. Cutting them would mean that you would be cutting your life short.
How many days do the Chinese celebrate the CNY?
15
China closes school for a full month though!
There is the tradition of welcoming guests with ___.
tea & sweet treats
Such as sugared fruits which are supposed to sweeten one’s upcoming year.
In honor of the deity, people will eat ___.
wonton
Such resembles the shape of an ingot
Spring couplets are small banners, usually red in color, that are hung at the front doors of homes and businesses during the CNY. What is traditionally written on these banners?
Poems expressing hope for a fresh start in the coming year, prosperity, good fortune, and peace.
What foods are traditionally not consumed during the CNY?
Squid and tofu.
In China, eating squid during the holiday symbolizes that you will get fired from your job. Tofu is white in color, and white symbolizes death.
Red envelopes are given to the younger generation during the CNY. The envelopes are usually from their parents, grandparents, friends, and neighbors. What is in the envelopes?
Money.
The money distributed during the holiday always equals an even number.
Money totals that equal odd numbers would be considered bad luck if they were to be given during the CNY. These envelopes are called "hongbao" in Chinese, which means "red pouch."
___ are served on a round or octagonal tray.
Sweets & fruits
The tray’s shape resembles togetherness & hence the tray is most commonly translated as the "Tray of Togetherness".
___ women will visit and pay respect to their birth parents.
Traditionally married
What number should not be said or used during the Chinese New Year?
4.
The English word for the number "four" sounds similar to the Chinese word for "death", so it has become a superstition and is very unlucky if used during CNY.
During the Chinese New Year, what is served on a Chuen-Hop or "Tray of Togetherness"?
Dried fruit, candy, and other sweets.
This tray of goodies is traditionally meant to be served to relatives & guests that drop by the home during the CNY.
Why is the color red so popular during the CNY?
Red has the ability to keep away bad luck and evil spirits. It also signifies prosperity and life.
Most likely the amount of sweets will be arranged in 8 units, as that number symbolizes ___.
luck
At times, an arrangement of 9 units can be found; this # represents wealth, good fortune, & family unity.
Since the day is characterized by the birthday of the dogs, ___ will be fed well.
pets and strays
What two colors are traditionally NOT to be worn during the CNY?
Black and white.
These colors represent mourning and funerals.
In northern China, people eat Jiǎozi (or "___" in English) on the morning of pò wǔ (Traditional Chinese: 破五, Pinyin: pò wǔ, translated: break 5).
dumplings
Also, friends & classmates will be visited.
The day is as well considered to have a connection to the 5 basic colors, hence to the 5 Elements Theory.