Chinese New Year – Shanghai Office
Line BreakAuthor: Kathryn Frengs (264 Articles)
Travelfusion's Social Media Officer, I manage all of our online marketing and presence on Twitter, Facebook, our blog and more. I love my job!
Chinese New Year will begin this year on February 14, and will usher in the Year of the Tiger. The longest and most important festivity in the Lunar calendar, Chinese New Year is a time for much celebration, tradition and significance throughout China and the world.
Photo credit: jonfmoss
While specific traditions and customs may vary widely, there are a few things that seem to be universal for Chinese New Year celebrations throughout the world. Bright red decorations symbolising happiness are widely used, as are the popular themes of wealth and prosperity. Each year, the celebration gives people the opportunity to start anew and wish peace and happiness to loved ones and neighbours.
Photo credit: chanchan222
Dinner tables are often piled high as delicious meals are generally a part of all Chinese New Year celebrations. Red envelopes containing money in specific denominations are distributed in hopes of spreading good luck and honourability to their recipients. Oranges, the most abundant fruit in these traditions, are enjoyed and shared over the holiday,
Parties kick off worldwide starting on the 14th and the New Year can be celebrated across the globe in many major cities. London, the location of Travelfusion’s headquarters, claims to host the largest Chinese New Year celebrations outside of Asia. On February 21, all are welcome in London’s Chinatown for a day-long festival including dance performances, music, food and fireworks. I’ve attended several Chinese New Year parades and am always enthralled by the costumes, dancers but most of all the lion dances.
Photo credit: NikiSublime
Though the styles of lion dances can differ in northern and southern regions of China, one thing is common – these costumes are always fantastically coloured and the dances are mesmerising. This is my favourite part of any Chinese New Year celebration.
Here’s an inside look at how our offices in China celebrated Chinese New Year – games, awards and good food and drink were at the centre of the party, as our staff got ready for the bigger celebrations they will soon share with family and friends outside of the office.
I’d love to know – how do you celebrate Chinese New Year? What are some traditions that you recognise on these days?
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
