In my many Chinese New Year blog and craft posts, I’ve regularly mentioned that the Lunar New Year celebration lasts for 15 days, but have yet to explain the special significance, meanings and traditions behind each day. Finally, I have time to sit down to gather the information on the meaning of the 15 days of the Lunar New Year. Yes, the 15 days are now over and we are heading towards the end of the first month of water Rabbit 2023! Nevertheless, please do check it out!
Before I go into detail, there is someone very important in Chinese Culture. According to the legends and myths, there is a mother goddess of Chinese mythology called Nüwa, who created humanity and repaired the Pillar of Heaven after a great battle between deities broke it. She spent the first six days creating animals (each day of the new year is the birthday of her creations), the seventh-day creating humans by hand using yellow clay (the day when we celebrate our human birthday), the eighth-day creating grains and so on. We also welcome in many other Gods, like the God of Wealth (財神 – Cái Shén), the God of Kitchen (灶神 – Zào Shén), the Jade Emperor (玉皇大帝 – Yù Huáng Dà Dì), into the new year.
New Year’s Eve (除夕 – Chú Xì)
The celebration starts on New Year’s Eve, but it is not part of the 15 days of the Lunar New Year countdown. Everyone will make their way home for dinner gathering/reunion dinner (團年饭 – Tuán Nián Fàn). Nowadays, many people will need to work during the New Year or have to work late so may have lunch or breakfast instead. It does not necessarily need to be dinner as long as the family comes together to have a meal.
Parents will give each of their children a red packet/envelope/ang bao called 压岁钱 – Yā Suì Qián to place under their pillows for good luck in the year to come. Children who are not married will have to present two mandarin oranges to their elderly in exchange for a red packet for luck etc. Everyone will change into new pyjamas including undies. Most of the children will be allowed to stay up until the next morning, it is believed to bring blessings and increase the elder’s longevity. This depends on the individual family’s traditions. Also, we’ll wish for the God of Wealth to bless your home.
Some of them will go to the temple and some will party all night! Before my dad passed away, we used to pray at home. I still remember a table full of offerings and two sugar cane plants on the side for burning after midnight. My mum would opt for praying at the temple after midnight! Due to Covid restrictions since 2020, most temples are no longer open until the next morning 7am. She will pray whenever she can.
Day One (大年初一) 元旦日 – Yuán Dàn Rì
According to the Nüwa legend, it is the Birthday of the Chicken. It is a day to visit elderly parents on the man/male’s side, and temples for some, like Buddhism and Taoism followers. If you happened to be the eldest son (no longer have parents) or living with the elderly/parents, families will come to your home to visit first.
Many families would serve vegetarian meals (Buddhism and Taoism followers) for visitors as there’s no killing on day one. But not many follow this rule. My mum will only have vegetarian meals for the whole day. But not eating congee/porridge! They say if you eat congee, it will rain for the whole day.
Some would invite/pay for a lion dance troupe into their house for a blessing as loud noises will drive the evil away. It can be any day of the 15 days. It is not specific that they only come on day one. In Singapore, the lion dance troupe has only recently resumed visiting homes after the lifting of Covid restrictions. In many places, there may be a public performance before the big day.
Remember that you are not allowed to clean or sweep as you could wipe away good luck and wealth.
Day Two (大年初二) 迎婿日 – Yíng Xù Rì / 回娘家 Huí Niáng Jiā
Today is the birthday of the Dog. In some places, it is called Son-in-law day (迎婿日 – Yíng Xù Rì) for some or it is called daughter goes home (回娘家 – Huí Niáng Jiā), when married daughters will bring her family to visit her parents. Best to avoid washing clothing.
Day Three (大年初三) 赤口日 – Chì Kǒu Rì
It is the birthday of the Pig. 赤口日 is a day where it is easy for people to get into arguments or fights, hence they suggested avoiding visiting family and friends on this day.
In Singapore, the first two days are public/bank holidays and many would return to work on this day anyway. So many would have already visited their family and friends.
It is a day to sleep early, as according to legend, this day is 老鼠娶新娘 – Lǎo Shǔ Qǔ Xīn Niáng where rats take bride, so people should leave some rice as gifts. In return, the rats would not disturb you for the year. Personally, I don’t think so – I think they will come back for more instead!
Day Four (大年初四) 拜太岁 – Bài Tài Suì or 接神日 – Jiē Shén Rì
It is the birthday of the Sheep. Today is an offering day where the family will cook and place their offerings to welcome the God of Kitchen. He will return back to heaven and report back to Jade Emperor on the family conditions. Some people will offer Nian Gao to the God of Kitchen so that it is so sticky, he can not speak much and is only able to say sweet things about the family. It is best to stay at home and avoid coming home late/after 11pm. As the God of Kitchen will visit and he won’t be happy if you are not at home.
In Hokkien culture, each year there will be some zodiac signs that have opposing forces (offend, clash or conflict) with the Great Duke Jupiter Tai Sui. These zodiac signs are said to suffer some form of bad fortune. In order to have a blessed year, they will have to go to the temple to pray 太岁/Tai Sui for a year of protection and to avert adversities. This year 2023 is particularly for those people who were born in the Year of Rabbit, Chicken, Rat and Horse. Next year, will be a different group of zodiac signs.
Normally my mum will do it for us as I am living in the UK and my sisters are normally very busy with work. She will go to the temple before this day and pay a small fee on our behalf. The temple will then pray on our behalf.
Day Five (大年初五) 迎財神 – Yíng Cái Shén
The birthday of the Ox. It is the day to welcome the God of Wealth (財神 – Cái shén), for good fortune to come. Before God of Wealth arrived, you need to break the five bad lucks (五穷 – Wǔ qióng) on: intelligence (智穷 – Zhì Qióng), learning ability (學穷 – Xué Qióng), literacy (文穷 – Wén Qióng), life (命穷 – Mìng Qióng), and relationship (交穷 – Jiāo Qióng).
How do you get rid of the five bad luck? Today is the day when you can break all the taboos/things you cannot do during the first four days. Now you can start cleaning your house, put on music and avoid napping!
Day Six (大年初六) 开张天 – Kāi Zhāng Tiān
Today is the birthday of the Horse. Some businesses will choose this day to open and many will have already returned to work. Some people might choose to stay close until the most auspicious day to re-open their business according to their feng shui masters.
Food businesses are most welcoming of children of 12 years old as the number 12 is 6 (六 – Liù) times 2. In Chinese 六六大顺 (Liù Liù Dà Shùn) means that everything is going smoothly.
In some legends, they say the God of Bathrooms (厕所神 – Cè Suǒ Shén) will pay a visit so make sure you clean your bathroom. In another legend, it is the day to send away the Ghost of Poverty (穷鬼 – Qióng Guǐ) by throwing old clothes away.
Day Seven (大年初七) 人日 – Rén Rì
Today is every human’s birthday! Happy Birthday! In Singapore and Malaysian culture, we will eat 魚生 – Yú Shēng. It is a dish made from raw fish, shredded vegetables and a variety of sauces and condiments. On this day, people in Singapore will say, “Let’s go, Lo Hei”. Lo Hei is a dialect phrase. It means tossing. When eating the Yú Shēng, everyone will toss the ingredients as high as possible! It means you will get better luck!
Some will eat noodles for a blessing in longevity and some will eat seven types of fruits. It is a day to avoid scolding/disciplining your children. Lucky children who can never be wrong!
Day Eight (大年初八) 盼丰收 – Pàn Fēng Shōu
Today is the creation of grains by Nüwa. It can be called harvest day (盼丰收 – Pàn Fēng Shōu) or star festival (順星节 – Shùn Xīng Jié). If it is a clear sky with lots of stars, you will have a good harvest for the whole year.
It’s a great time to ask for ang bao from your married colleagues even if you didn’t visit them at their house. It is bad to lend anyone money on this day.
Day Nine (大年初九) 天公诞 – Tiān Gōng Dàn
Today is the birthday of the Jade Emperor (玉皇大帝 – Yù Huáng Dà Dì) and is a significant day to the Hokkiens. Many will prepare a feast at the altar for him, hoping he will bless everyone with a good year ahead.
It is a good day for weddings, getting engaged and fixing the house. It is best to avoid seeing doctors and drying your clothes.
Day Ten (初十) 石头节- Shí Tou Jié
Today is the birthday of the God of Stone (石头神 – Shí Tou Shén). The Chinese character ten (十 – Shí) has the same pronunciation as a rock (石 – Shí). As it is the God of Stone’s birthday, it is best not to move any rocks or use any machines made from rock. Some say it is the birthday of Earth Mother (地母 – De Mǔ).
Married couples who wish to have children can hang a red lantern as a blessing. It is best to avoid coming home late.
Day Eleven (十一) 子婿日- Zǐ Xù Rì
The parents of a married daughter would invite their son-in-law to come home with their daughter and children for a visit.
Day Twelve (十二) 备元宵 – Bèi Yuán Xiāo
Preparing for the Lantern Festival. Some will wrap and eat dumplings on this day. It is bad to use knives or anything sharp.
Day Thirteen (十三) 试花灯- Shì Huā Dēng
试花灯- Shì Huā Dēng means to put out the lantern decorations you have bought. It is also named the 灯头生日- Dēng Tóu Shēng Rì which means the birthday of the lightbulbs. Some people would light up lights/lanterns by the kitchen stove.
It is said that it is bad luck for travelling, outings and getting married.
Day Fourteen (十四) 临水娘娘诞辰 – Lín Shuǐ Niáng Niáng Dàn Chén
Today is Linshui Empress’s birthday. Folktales say she is able to subdue demons and help those in distress. People will make offerings at the temple to pray for the safety of the mother and child during childbirth. A childless couple will pray for children.
Day Fifteen (十五) 元宵节 – Yuán Xiāo Jié
For Hokkien culture, today is called Chap Gor Me in the Hokkien dialect means day 15 night. It is a celebration of unity and togetherness with the first full moon of the New Year!
Most places call it the Lantern Festival (元宵节 – Yuán Xiāo Jié). I have not been back to Singapore during Lunar New Year for ages. I do know that the River Hong Bao event dates back as far as 1987 and is the best and most celebrated Chinese New Year festival in Singapore. There will be a lot of lantern displays, stage performances and a host of other festivities. Best of all, it is free!
On this day, the sweet dumpling tang yuan made of glutinous rice flour will be eaten to symbolise reunion and harmony.
Phew! What a long post! I hope this has helped enlighten you on the 15 days of the lunar new year.
