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2020 is not just a beautiful combination of numbers, but also the beginning of a new 12-year cycle on the Eastern calendar. The Metal Rat will open it, taking over the baton from the Yellow Pig. Chinese New Year 2020 will be celebrated in a special way, because for residents of Asian countries this is a very symbolic period. How is this holiday celebrated in China? How do their traditions differ from ours?
Features of the eastern calendar
We are already used to asking people not only the sign of their zodiac, but also in the year whom they were born. Although not everyone willingly answers the second question, because it is so easy to determine age. Indeed, in the Chinese calendar there are 12 characters that are repeated cyclically, gradually replacing each other:
- Rat.
- Bull.
- Tiger.
- Rabbit.
- The Dragon.
- Snake.
- Horse.
- Goat.
- A monkey.
- Cock.
- Dog.
- Pig.
The sequence is due to the legend that all these animals came to the dying Buddha to say goodbye. And then the spiritual master allowed everyone to rule for a year.
In addition to animals, each year according to the Chinese calendar there is a certain element and color:
- white (metal);
- black (water);
- blue (wood);
- red (fire);
- yellow (earth).
Therefore, all characters have definitions. For example, in 2020, according to the Chinese calendar, the White Metal Rat will rule. And the mistress of 2019 is the Yellow Earth Pig. Color is considered an important parameter: the Chinese prefer to celebrate the New Year in clothes of the corresponding shade and decorate the house in such colors. This tradition is partially transferred to Russia: we also sometimes adhere to this rule.
When the Chinese New Year is celebrated in 2020
In Russia, the onset of the New Year is associated with the Gregorian calendar and is marked on January 1. In China, the date is tied to the moon, so the holiday is dedicated to the winter solstice and is celebrated on the second new moon. Depending on the lunar cycle, this day may come from January 21 to February 21. And in 2020, the Chinese New Year will begin on January 25th. From that moment, the rights of the Pig will end, and the Rat will start hosting.
Curious! 2020 according to the Gregorian calendar corresponds to 4718 year east.
Officially, for the celebration of the Chinese New Year, people are given 7 days plus or minus a couple of days off. But the Chinese love this holiday so much that they rest for 2-3 weeks. This is problematic for China's partner countries, which in January-February are forced to suspend workers or trade and economic relations, waiting for the Chinese to have plenty of fun.
New Year traditions of China
This is an oriental culture, but it has moments reminiscent of the New Year in Russia. And in general, it is curious what the Chinese are doing on the eve of this holiday and during its onset.
Hide from the monster
If we call Grandfather Frost, who will light a Christmas tree and give out gifts, then the Chinese are trying to appease a monster named Nen (translated from Chinese as “year”). It arrives on the first day of the year (we would have it on January 1) and begins to destroy food supplies, and sometimes it abducts children.
In order not to anger the monster, the Chinese are trying to cook a rich New Year's table with a lot of very different foods.It is believed that in this case, Nen will be content with what is, and will not touch the reserves. And residents dress up in red and hang flashlights of the same color. And there is also an explanation for this: according to legend, Nen once saw a boy in red clothes and ran away. Therefore, this color is considered protective.
Get together as a family
Chinese New Year is a family holiday, so those who work or study in a big city will definitely go to celebrate at home. Husbands and wives spend a lot of time together on New Year's holidays, reaching an idyll.
Tidy up the house
On the eve of the Chinese New 2020 and any other year, people carefully clean the house, throwing away everything that is not needed. So they make room for happiness.
Exchange gifts
This is a traditional gesture for any holiday of every country, and China is no exception. But if in Russia they like to give beautiful New Year's cards, equipment and original souvenir sets, then practical Chinese people prefer to hand each other red envelopes with money. And each person must definitely spend the donated amount in the near future. Recently it has become popular to give gift certificates as well.
Set the table
What New Year without goodies? According to Chinese traditions, a meat dish (pork, duck or chicken), as well as sweets, should be on the New Year's table. Cooking with rice flour is especially popular.
And, of course, tangerines! Fruits, whose homeland is China, are an attribute of the celebration of the New Year in this country. True, they are not so much eaten as put on the streets in large tubs. And to give someone 2 tangerines means to wish well-being.
Have fun
New Year's Eve in China, as well as in Russia, is marked by a grandiose salute, which suits the city administration or the locals themselves. People in an excellent mood go out to the square, where they communicate and take pictures with pleasure. Also, Chinese New Year is street performances, colorful performances and performances with a huge traditional Dragon and Leo dance. Festivities end on the 15th day, when the grand Lantern Festival begins. They are lit in honor of Wen-di - the emperor of the Han Dynasty, who ascended the throne on that day many centuries ago.
By the way! On Chinese New Year, you cannot cry and be sad. If a sad person is met on the street, he is immediately encouraged to join the celebration as soon as possible.
How to celebrate New Year 2020
All the traditions of China do not need to be adopted, because we have our own wonderful holiday with Olivier, Christmas tree and Grandfather Frost. But people will still turn to the Chinese calendar to meet 2020 according to all the rules.
The rat (symbol of the year) is an intelligent, flexible animal and easily adaptable. Therefore, it is believed that people born in 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, etc. also possess these qualities. And kids who are born in 2020 will grow up in creative personalities with natural charm.
What to wear
The color of 2020 on the Chinese calendar is white. Therefore, you can safely dress up in all snow-white. The element of the year is metal, so silver shades are also suitable. It is undesirable to dress in outfits with leopard and tiger prints, because the Rat does not like representatives of the cat family.
What to put on the table
Although rats are considered unpretentious in food, the mistress of 2020 must be respected. On the table will be appropriate dishes of rice, buckwheat, lentils. Cheese and vegetables are required (can be pickled or canned). Berries and nuts, as well as cottage cheese, are added to the pastry.
On New Year's Eve, you always believe in something unusual and magical. Therefore, traditions and symbols are perceived very sincerely and warmly. And if you think that the Metal Rat will bring good luck in 2020, this will certainly happen, despite the fact that these are Chinese norms and values.
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