Happy Chinese New Year!

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, marks the beginning of a new Lunar New Year and the end of the coldest season in China. This year, the Spring Festival starts on 31 January (New Year’s Eve) and ends on the 15 February 2022.

This year symbolises the year of the Tiger, the third of the 12 zodiac animals. According to the Chinese calendar, all zodiac animals have their own representations and personality. 

People born in a year of the Tiger are considered to be courageous and active people who enjoy challenges and adventures in life. Many Chinese children wear hats or shoes with a tiger image for good luck. Were you born in the year of the tiger? Recent years of the tiger are: 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 and 2022. 

The history of Chinese New Year dates back 3,500 years, originating in the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BC), when people held sacrificial ceremonies in honour of gods and ancestors at the beginning or the end of each year. Today, many traditional activities have disappeared and new ways to celebrate the new year have emerged.

To commemorate the Chinese New Year, we have noted some ideas to help you celebrate the day with your family and friends.

• Like Christmas, the heart of Chinese New Year involves family time, festive food and loved ones returning home for the Spring Festival. Why not cook some heart-warming Chinese cuisine, and celebrate the new year with a taste of China!  

• Get creative and create Chinese New Year decorations with your family. Red is the main colour of the festival and it is considered auspicious – typically in China, every street, building and house is decorated with the colour red! Click here to read some top tips on creating your own Chinese New Year decorations. 

• Transfer some fortune to your children - in China, children receive ‘lucky money’ in small red envelopes that are considered to transfer fortune from grandparents and parents as good luck. Why not reward your child with a small surprise for any recent achievement they have made whether that be in in school, or in their Kumon studies.