Traditional Chinese New Year Customs

初一拜大年: Chū yī bài dà nián
What is the significance on the first day of the Chinese New Year?

• It is a tradition to visit families and friends.

• It is believed to sweep away good luck.

• It is a day to stay at home.

• It is a tradition to welcome guests.

Answer explanation

初一早
On the first day, people get up early, dress in red, and visit others to offer blessings and good wishes.

Here is the English translation for the image content:

Things You Should Not Do on the First Day of Chinese New Year:

• Do not sweep the floor

• Do not take naps

• Do not scold others

• Do not take medicine

• Do not lend or borrow money

• Do not break things

回娘家 (huí niángjiā)
On which day is it customary for married daughters to visit their parents?

• 初一

• 初二

• 初三

• 初四

Answer explanation

初二早
On the second day of Lunar New Year, married daughters return to their parents’ home in the morning, bringing gifts and red envelopes for the children. They have lunch there but must return to their husband’s home before dinner.

初三睡到飽Chū sān shuì dào bǎo

Why is the third day of the Chinese New Year called'red dog day'? On this day, people prefer to avoid arguments or potential misfortunes.

• It is a day to celebrate with family.

• It is a day to wear red for good luck.

• It is believed to be a day of bad luck.

• It is a day to give red envelopes.

Answer explanation

The Mouse Wedding
People often sleep in on this day to rest and avoid potential conflicts, as it’s considered a day to stay at home and keep a low profile. It’s part of the tradition to maintain peace and harmony during the New Year celebrations.

初四迎灶神Chū sì yíng Zào Shén
What is the traditional activity on the fourth day of the Chinese New Year?

• Worship to the Kitchen God

• Go traveling

• Visiting the temple

• Worship to the ancestors.

Answer explanation

The fourth day of the Lunar New Year is for worshipping the God of Kitchen. In the past, if a boss wanted to fire someone, they would not invite them to the ceremony, and the person would understand and leave. It’s also believed that the Kitchen God checks households on this day, so it’s not a good time to travel far.

初五迎財神Chū wǔ yíng Cái Shén
What is the main activity on the fifth day of the Chinese New Year?

• 
  Welcoming the God of Fortune

• Lighting lanterns

• Worship to ancestors

• Visiting friends and family

Answer explanation

The fifth day is commonly known as “Po Wu” (Breaking the Fifth), which is a day to drive away the five kinds of poverty: “poverty of wisdom, poverty of learning, poverty of literature, poverty of life, and poverty of relationships.”

Firecrackers are set off from inside the house, moving outward toward the door. It is believed that this drives away all bad luck and misfortune.

初六開市Chū liù kāi shì
What is the traditional activity on the sixth day of the Chinese New Year?

• Exchanging gifts

• Visiting the temple

• Opening businesses with fireworks

• Cleaning the house

Answer explanation

开工大吉 (Kāi gōng dà jí)

Wishing a great start to work!
On this day, businesses reopen, and households throw out the accumulated holiday trash. This practice is called “sending away the poverty spirit.”

What is the traditional activity on the ninth day of the Chinese New Year?

• Visiting family

• Worshiping to the Jade Emperor

• Cleaning the house

• Lighting fireworks

Answer explanation

It is the birthday of the Jade Emperor, marked by grand ceremonies to worship the heavens. People offer birthday blessings to the Heavenly Lord and pray for favorable weather, peace, and good health in the coming year.

What is the significance of the fifteenth day of the Chinese New Year?

• It is a day to welcome the God of Wealth.

• It is a day to honor the ancestors.

• It's well-known as lantern festival

• It is a day to clean the house.

Which dish is commonly enjoyed during the Lantern Festival, marking the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations?

• Sweet rice balls

• Congee

• Noodles

• Rice cakes

Answer explanation

It is the first full moon night of the year, symbolizing unity and reunion. Eating a bowl of tangyuan represents hopes for a year filled with good fortune.
The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is a traditional event in Taiwan where people release sky lanterns into the night sky, making wishes for the new year. It is a beautiful celebration of hope and good fortune, attracting thousands of visitors each year.

What is the current zodiac year?

• Year of the Dragon

• Year of the Rabbit

• Year of the Rat

• Year of the Snake