Lunar New Year 2019: Welcoming the Year of the Pig


(CNN) — When the clock strikes midnight the eve of February 5, wishes of very good fortune will be expressed, fireworks will explode into the sky and purple envelopes crammed with dollars will be exchanged as hundreds of thousands of folks close to the world ring in the Lunar New 12 months, also regarded as Spring Festival.

In other phrases, it really is basically 1 significant right away social gathering.

But in contrast to the way in which a great deal of the entire world celebrates on December 31, Lunar New 12 months is a lengthy vacation marathon loaded with traditions and rituals (and significantly spouse and children drama) that lasts properly past the Lunar New Year day.

For Lunar New Calendar year rookies — or lifelong Spring Competition revelers who require a refresher — here’s a fast guidebook to what just could be the most challenging and laborious pageant in the world.

It truly is the 12 months of the Pig — but not just any pig

Inside one particular of China’s greatest fireworks factories, where by the course of action of crafting a firework is an artwork in its individual correct.

Even though most are familiar with the 12-12 months Chinese zodiac calendar, represented by 12 distinct animals, it really is truly extra intricate.

A 12 months isn’t just classified by its zodiac animal, but also by a a lot more complex sexagenary cycle — a mix of one particular of 10 heavenly stems and a single of the 12 earthly branches.

Puzzled however? So 2019 is the 12 months of “ji hai” (or gei hoi in Cantonese).

Though “hai” represents the earthly branch image that stands for the pig, “ji” signifies the heavenly stem for yin and earth. That is why they connect with 2019 the yr of the earth pig.

And several people today consider this 60-12 months calendar extremely critically. It plays an critical purpose in generating enormous daily life choices, these as whether to have a little one or get married.

When it’s stated to impact every personal otherwise depending on the 12 months they were being born, pig — the past animal signal of the 12-yr Chinese zodiac cycle — is generally viewed as an auspicious calendar year, in normal signifying prosperity and fortune.

The year of the pig begins on February 5.

The 12 months of the pig commences on February 5.

STR/AFP/AFP/Getty Pictures

Preparations and fortune goodies

Preparations for the Lunar New Calendar year normally begin at minimum a week ahead of the Spring Competition commences.

On the 26th working day of the final lunar thirty day period, festive cakes and puddings are designed.

The massive cleaning is done on the 28th day. Lunar New 12 months fortune banners are hung on the 29th day.

Lunar New Calendar year Fairs will be set up around cities all through the past times of the 12 months, marketing fortune goodies and bouquets for the new yr.

The 12 months ends on a high note with a large household reunion supper on the 30th working day, or Lunar New Year’s Eve — on February 4, this yr.

The Lunar New Year menu is meticulously decided on for its blessed meanings, such as fish (the Chinese word for it appears like the word for “surplus”), puddings (symbolizes advancement) and meals that search like gold ingots (like dumplings).

After the feast, people will keep up past midnight to welcome in the new 12 months.

The complete festival lasts 15 days

CNN hits the highway together with some of China’s “bike army” as they make the long journey household for Lunar New 12 months

Just simply because the new yr has started doesn’t indicate you’re permitted to rest.

While most nations around the world that notice Lunar New Calendar year offer a few to seven times of general public holidays, celebrations don’t close until the 15th day of the to start with lunar month, also recognized as the Lantern Competition. (Lunar New Year in 2019 lasts from February 5 to February 19.)

There is a listing of superstitious dos and don’ts for the new calendar year but the rule of thumb is to say a large amount of “kung hei body fat choy”or “gong xi fa cai,” and steer clear of stating things that could seem like a less auspicious term. (Verify out our list for additional of these primary procedures.)
All through the pageant, folks will journey close to to check out kin, who will prepare treats and fill up sweet boxes for the visits — except for the third day of the month.

It is really believed that arguments are a lot more most likely to occur on that working day — February 9, this year — named chi kou (or “purple mouth”). Therefore, most men and women will have interaction in other actions like checking out a temple. In Hong Kong, a big spring festival horse racing occasion will take area just about every 12 months on the third day.

Quang Phu Cau is considered Vietnam's 'incense village." Hundreds of workers have been hard at work dying, drying and whittling down bamboo bark to make the fragrant sticks ahead of the busy lunar new year holiday.

Quang Phu Cau is thought of Vietnam’s ‘incense village.” Hundreds of personnel have been hard at work dying, drying and whittling down bamboo bark to make the fragrant sticks forward of the active lunar new yr vacation.

MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Pictures

Through the 15 times, married partners have to give out crimson packets loaded with cash to kids (and unmarried older people) to wish them luck.

The seventh day is renri, or the people’s birthday (February 11). when the Chinese mother goddess Nuwa is reported to have developed mankind.

The spotlight comes on the last day, all through the Lantern Festival (February 19).

Getting the only working day when young women in ancient Chinese society could go out to admire lanterns and fulfill boys, it is also been dubbed Chinese Valentine’s Day.

These days, metropolitan areas about the earth nonetheless set on substantial lantern shows and fairs on the 15th working day of the pageant.

Some develop more sparks than some others. Like Nuanquan, a modest Chinese town that puts on a spectacular “firework” present by throwing molten steel towards a cold stone metropolis wall.

Kung hei extra fat choy!



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