Chinese New Year

The Culture

One of the most exciting things about being an expat in Hong Kong is the opportunity to experience Hong Kong’s holidays and witness the traditions that go along with each.

Chinese New Year is one of the most festive times of the year; and the decorations, celebrations, and joyous atmosphere are just a few more reasons that Hong Kong life is so special.

Chinese New Year is also known as the Lunar New Year. The holiday falls on the first day of the first month on the lunar calendar, thus the date changes each year according to the modern Gregorian calendar.

The Chinese New Year celebration is spread over the first three days of the Lunar New Year, each of which counts as a statutory holiday.

One story that goes along with the Chinese New Year celebration is about a monster that lived near an old village and came out at the beginning of each year.

The monster did not like the color red or loud noises, so the villagers would stick red paper on their doors and light firecrackers to make noise and scare away the monster. When the monster had gone, the people would greet and bless each other.

The traditions of pasting red paper on doors, lighting firecrackers, and greeting friends and family with blessings are still a big part of the Chinese New Year celebration.

Most houses and businesses hang red paper on their doors that contain blessings, such as “May you have more than enough all year” and “May you be healthy.”

(Left): Red packets (lai si), are often given to friends and family at New Year.

Another practice is for married couples to give lai si to close acquaintances, but most importantly to children. This is a small red envelope with money inside.

The term lai si means luck and is another way of wishing blessings upon close friends and family.

Credits: Lion Dance Photograph by DCMaster