Chinese New Year Foods
Which food symbolises( shows) wealth?
b) dumplings
---Dumplings mean 'wealth', due to their traditional gold/silver ingot shape.
Brave like a _____________.
a) dragon
-Gold dragons are strong believers in the rule of order and the greater good.
As decisive 决定性 as a ________.
a) rooster
b) rat
a) rooster
-Roosters are serious in their work. They are straightforward and decisive in their actions.
What can't you cut on New Years Day?
a) nails
b) hair
b) your hair
The first character in the Chinese word for prosper is the same as the Chinese character for hair. This means that washing or cutting it off is regarded as washing your fortune away, reducing your chances of prosperity and good fortune in the coming year.
Which two colors are most commonly associated with Chinese New Year celebrations, and what do they symbolize?
What kind of fruits do people eat at Chinese New Year?
b) Oranges
-The Chinese words for “orange” and “tangerine” closely resemble the words for “luck” and “wealth.” The gold color of these fruits also symbolizes prosperity.
Strong like an _____________.
b) ox
- People born in the Year of the Ox are strong, reliable, fair and conscientious, inspiring confidence in others.
As smart as a __________.
a) pig
b) monkey
b) monkey
--People born in the Year of the Monkey are intelligent, witty and strong-willed. They are remarkably inventive, creative and able to solve most problems. Their curiosity means they have a great thirst for knowledge.
Name another country that celebrates the lunar new year。 说出另一个 也庆祝农历新年的国家。
The Lunar New Year is celebrated in many countries and regions,
including China, Vietnam, Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, USA and the Philippines
The color red is prominently used during Chinese New Year celebrations, but it also has a legendary origin. What mythical creature is red used to ward off, and how is it connected to the traditions of the holiday?
The color red is used to ward off the Nian, a mythical creature that was said to terrorize villages during the New Year. According to legend, the Nian was frightened by the color red, loud noises, and fire. This is why red decorations, firecrackers, and lanterns are integral to Chinese New Year celebrations.
What do you eat rice balls for?
b) unity
-Glutinous rice balls tang yuan is the traditional treat eaten to celebrate the Lantern Festival -- the culminating day of the Lunar New Year . It represents harmony and togetherness because their name sounds like the word “reunion” in Chinese and its round shape symbolizes unity.
As peaceful as a ____________.
b) rabbit
-People who are born in the year of the rabbit are calm and peaceful. They avoid fighting and arguing at all times
As crafty狡猾 as a ______________.
a) dragon
b) rat
b) rat
-People born in the year of the Rat are thought to be intelligent, crafty and optimistic.
What shouldn't you do during the New Year?
a) sweep
b) swim
b)sweep
-Some believe those who sweep during Lunar New Year celebrations are likelier to sweep their luck away.
During Chinese New Year, red envelopes (红包, hóngbāo) are given as gifts. What are the two key rules regarding how these envelopes are given and why are these rules significant?
Red envelopes are given by married adults to children or unmarried individuals.
The amount of money in the envelope must always be an even number.
During the Tang Dynasty, a unique dish was served during Chinese New Year celebrations, believed to bring prosperity and long life. This dish, known as "Longevity Soup" (长寿汤, cháng shòu tāng), used a combination of rare and forgotten ingredients, many of which are no longer commonly found in modern Chinese cuisine. One key ingredient in the soup was a type of mushroom, now almost extinct, that was believed to possess medicinal properties for enhancing vitality and longevity. The other key component was a type of grain that had been cultivated exclusively for the imperial court during the Tang Dynasty but disappeared after the fall of the dynasty. What are the names of the mushroom and the grain used in Longevity Soup, and why were they considered essential for bringing long life during the Chinese New Year celebrations?
The mushroom used in Longevity Soup was the "Shoujun Mushroom" (寿菌, shòu jùn), a now-extinct species that was believed to have powerful anti-aging properties. It was often associated with immortality and was considered a sacred ingredient, found only in the mountainous regions of central China. This rare mushroom was said to increase vitality and health, which is why it was a key ingredient in the soup, meant to bring longevity for the New Year.
The grain used in the soup was a special type of "Imperial Rice" (宫米, gōng mǐ), a long-forgotten variety that was grown exclusively in the royal fields during the Tang Dynasty. The grain was valued for its high nutritional content and its golden color, which symbolized wealth and prosperity. The rice was also believed to have life-extending properties, as it was grown using ancient agricultural techniques that infused it with unique medicinal qualities.
The Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year cycle, with each year assigned to a specific animal. Many people believe that the animal of the current year determines your fortune for the year. However, there is an ancient mathematical superstition that suggests you should never directly associate your fortune with your zodiac animal in the current year. Instead, the superstition states that the most auspicious year for your fortune is the year that occurs two cycles ahead of your zodiac year. For example, if you are born in the Year of the Tiger, the best year for your fortune is the Year of the Tiger occurring two cycles ahead, not the current Year of the Tiger.
Using this superstition, which zodiac year would be the most auspicious for someone born in the Year of the Rabbit (2011), and why?
The trick is in how the superstition works: The Year of the Rabbit (2011) would suggest that the most auspicious year is not the immediate Year of the Rabbit (2023), but instead the Year of the Rabbit two cycles ahead, which would be 2043.
The trick in the question is that the superstition is tied to a 12-year cycle, but the actual year considered “best” for fortune is not the immediate one but the one that comes two full cycles later. While many people might assume that the year they’re born in or the current zodiac year would be the most auspicious, it’s the second cycle ahead that holds the superstition’s belief. This relies on a trick involving the 12-year cyclical system and mathematical reasoning regarding the passage of time and cycles.
In ancient China, before the modern system of assigning fixed directions to the Chinese zodiac, there existed a forgotten practice that utilized a compass to determine the most auspicious placement of each zodiac sign during Chinese New Year celebrations. This practice was closely tied to the Daoist system of the five elements and the Luo Shu Square, an ancient magic square used for divination. According to this system, certain animals of the zodiac were placed in specific directions based on their elemental characteristics and their relationship to the compass directions
One of the most obscure and complex practices involved determining the most auspicious direction for the Year of the Ox, which required a unique combination of two key factors: the Luo Shu square's magic number for the Earth element and the specific angle determined by the compass. What is the exact compass direction and the magic number associated with the Year of the Ox, and how does this ancient practice relate to the elemental balance and the zodiac's role in bringing prosperity for the year?
In traditional Chinese New Year customs, the number 8 is considered extremely lucky due to its phonetic resemblance to the word for "wealth" or "prosperity" (发, fā). However, a lesser-known superstition involves the calculation of angles and symmetry in the placement of decorations for the holiday. It is believed that trigonometric principles must be applied to ensure the correct balance of feng shui in a room for maximum prosperity. Specifically, the angle between the main door and the main decoration (like a red lantern or couplet) should create a specific geometric relationship. What trigonometric angle is believed to be ideal for good luck, and how does this angle relate to the number 8 in Chinese superstition?
The ideal angle for maximum good fortune is 45 degrees, which is derived from the belief that the symmetry and balance of an object placed at this angle from the main entrance or key decoration bring harmony and prosperity. This angle is tied to the number 8 through the concept of doubling and balance: the number 8 is seen as a mirror image of balance, and 45 degrees represents half of 90 degrees, symbolizing a balanced division that brings fortune in both directions (horizontal and vertical), just as the number 8 mirrors itself.
In feng shui, the angle of 45 degrees also corresponds to an ideal placement to avoid disturbing energy flows (qi). Mathematically, the 45-degree angle often appears in isosceles right triangles, representing symmetry and stability, which directly ties into the idea of the prosperity and wealth that the number 8 symbolizes.
In Chinese culture, the Peach Blossom (桃花, táo huā) is a symbol of good luck, particularly in the context of romance and relationships. However, it also has a connection to a specific element and direction in Feng Shui, linked to Chinese New Year traditions. Which element and direction are associated with the Peach Blossom, and why is it considered particularly important during the celebration of the Lunar New Year?
The Peach Blossom is associated with the Wood element and the East direction in Feng Shui. The Peach Blossom is believed to bring romantic luck and is often placed in the East part of a home or a space to attract positive energy in relationships. During Chinese New Year, people often use Peach Blossom branches in decorations as a way to bring about harmony and success in their personal lives throughout the year. It is also symbolic of renewal and growth because peach trees bloom early in spring.
During Chinese New Year, fish is traditionally served as a symbol of abundance. However, there is a specific tradition regarding how the fish should be eaten to maximize good luck. What is this tradition, and why is it significant?
The tradition is that the fish should be served whole, with the head and tail intact, symbolizing completeness and a good beginning and end to the year. Additionally, the fish should not be entirely eaten during the meal. Leaving some leftovers signifies surplus and abundance carrying over into the next year. The phrase "年年有余" (nián nián yǒu yú) means "May you have surplus year after year," with "余" (surplus) being a homophone for "鱼" (fish).
The Chinese zodiac is based on the lunar calendar, and the new year falls on a different date each year. In 1984, the Chinese New Year began the Year of the Wood Rat. What was the exact date of the Chinese New Year in 1984?
The Chinese New Year in 1984 began on February 2, 1984.
Each animal in the Chinese zodiac is associated with a fixed direction. Which animal is associated with the direction "South," and how is this direction used in traditional feng shui?
The Horse is associated with the direction "South." In feng shui, the South is connected with fame and reputation and is represented by the element Fire. Activating the South area of a space can enhance recognition and success.
During Chinese New Year, people avoid saying negative words as part of superstition. Name three examples of words or phrases considered unlucky, explain why they are avoided, and how people circumvent using them in conversation.
"Death" (死, sǐ):
"Break" (破, pò):
"Empty" (空, kōng):
In ancient times, a rare and secret ritual was performed during the Chinese New Year by high-ranking officials and scholars to ensure the prosperity of the coming year. This ritual involved the use of a specific type of mythical artifact, which had to be placed in the imperial court precisely at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve. The artifact was said to have a connection to the Yellow Emperor (黄帝, Huáng Dì), the legendary founder of Chinese civilization, and was believed to ensure the continuity of imperial power. The name of this artifact, its exact form, and the ritual surrounding it have been largely lost to history. What is the name of this mythical artifact, and what is its significance in the context of Chinese New Year and imperial power?
The artifact is called the "Jiuhuai Seal" (久怀印, Jiǔhuái yìn), a mythical seal said to be crafted by the Yellow Emperor himself. The Jiuhuai Seal was thought to contain the power to secure the emperor's reign and the prosperity of the nation. It was kept secret and was passed down through the imperial family, with only a select few knowing its exact nature. The ritual involved placing the seal at the altar of the imperial court at the exact moment of the Lunar New Year, marking the new cycle of prosperity and protection.
The Jiuhuai Seal’s exact form and powers have been lost over time, and it is considered a mythical relic that no longer exists in recorded history. Despite its legendary nature, there is no evidence of its existence in any surviving historical texts, making it an almost impossible question to answer correctly.