Spring Festival is one of the most solemn and distinctive traditional festivals in China. Generally refers to New Year's Eve and the first day of the first lunar month, which is the first day of the year, also called the lunar year, commonly known as "New Year"
The Spring Festival has a long history. It originated from the primitive beliefs and nature worship of early humans. It evolved from the sacrifices at the beginning of the year in ancient times. It is a primitive religious ceremony. People will hold sacrifices at the beginning of the year to pray for a good harvest and prosperity in the coming year. People and animals thrive. This sacrificial activity gradually evolved into various celebrations over time, eventually forming today's Spring Festival
During the Spring Festival, China's Han and many ethnic minorities hold various activities to celebrate. These activities are mainly about worshiping ancestors and respecting the elderly, praying for thanksgiving and blessings, family reunion, cleaning up the old and bringing in the new, welcoming the new year and receiving blessings, and praying for a good harvest. They have strong national characteristics. There are many folk customs during the Spring Festival, including drinking Laba porridge, worshiping the Kitchen God, sweeping dust, pasting Spring Festival couplets, pasting New Year pictures, pasting blessing characters upside down, staying up late on New Year's Eve, eating dumplings, giving New Year's money, paying New Year greetings, visiting temple fairs, etc.
Influenced by Chinese culture, some countries and regions in the world also have the custom of celebrating the New Year. From Africa and Egypt to South America and Brazil, from the Empire State Building in New York to the Sydney Opera House, the Chinese Lunar New Year has set off a "Chinese style" all over the world. The Spring Festival is an important platform to reflect harmonious family affection and harmonious interpersonal relationships. Its content is rich and colorful and has important historical, artistic and cultural value. Celebrating the Spring Festival well is one of the important ways to enhance family relationships, enhance social cohesion, and build a harmonious society. It also has a positive role in promoting the development of the cultural industry. In 2006, Spring Festival folk customs were approved by the State Council and included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage lists. On December 22, 2023 local time, the 78th United Nations General Assembly designated the Spring Festival (Lunar New Year) as a United Nations holiday.
