Beijing, 14 January 2022 (TDI): Chinese New Year 2022 will fall on February 1st, 2022, commencing the year of the Tiger. China will celebrate the year with nationwide public holidays from January 31st to February 6th, 2022.
Year of tiger is coming 👋 pic.twitter.com/3ChiRk8wKN
— 曹 毅 CAO Yi أبو وسيم (@CaoYi_MFA) January 13, 2022
Chinese New Year is associated with several myths and has a history of over 3,000 years. According to a popular legend, the history of the year is linked with the mythical beast Nian. It was believed that Nian showed up every Lunar New Year’s Eve to eat people and livestock.
People displayed red paper, lit candles, burned bamboo, and wore red clothes to scare away the monster. These traditions are still observed. Each Chinese year is related to an animal sign in accordance with the Chinese Zodiac Cycle.
The Cycle features 12 animal signs in the following order “Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig.” 2022 is the year of Tiger as per the Chinese Zodiac Cycle.
Previously, the Tiger years were 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 respectively. 2010 was a Gold Tiger year whereas 2022 is a Water Tiger year which is significant in itself as it only occurs every 60 years.
In the Chinese Zodiac, Tiger is known as the king of all beasts. It is the symbol of power and bravery. The country is awaiting the dual celebrations as the Beijing winter Olympics will also commence from 4th February.
The ancient Chinese people deeply esteemed tigers, particularly in South China as well as Northeast China where there were dense native tiger populations. The date of the New Year changes every year.
However, it always lies somewhere in the period from January 21st to February 20th. This year too the celebrations will be somewhat subdued because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The importance of Chinese New Year is embedded deep in history and is the most important festival in the country.
Even today it remains the most significant event for families to reunite and spend time together. Chinese New Year is also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival.
Chinese New Year festival celebrates the commencement of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. Traditionally it is a time to honor deities and ancestors. Moreover, it has also become an occasion to spend time with family members and feast.
Usually, the New Year’s celebrations last for two weeks; from Chinese New Year’s Eve to the Lantern Festival which is held on the 15th day of the lunar year. Regional traditions and customs differ widely however they all share a common theme: bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming in the prosperity and luck of a new year.
The celebrations include New Year’s Eve dinner, New Year decorations, firecrackers as well as fireworks, and traditional dragon dances.
){kind=link}