Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is an annual celebration marking the beginning of the new year according to the lunar calendar. Traditional customs involve family reunions, feasting, and giving gifts, specifically the red envelope that symbolises good luck and prosperity. The holiday also holds symbolic importance with traditional decorations rich in red and gold used to ward off evil spirits and attract good fortune for the coming year. Communal activities, such as dragon dances and lantern marches, are a visual spectacle during this period.

Historically, Chinese New Year has a mythological origin and is said to commemorate the defeat of a beast named ‘Nian’. Nowadays, the holiday represents the diverse and vibrant Chinese community in Australia, making it an important cultural event. Chinese immigrants and their descendants have been celebrating the New Year for nearly two centuries in Australia, bringing their traditions, food, and festivities to enrich the Australian multicultural landscape.

In Australia, Chinese New Year is celebrated with much enthusiasm, predominantly in cities with a significant Chinese population, such as Melbourne and Sydney. Celebrations span across two weeks, featuring colourful parades, traditional music, lion and dragon dances, and markets selling Chinese goods. Many Australians partake in these festivities regardless of their ethnic background, embracing the cultural diversity that Chinese New Year brings. The date for this event varies each year, typically falling between January 21 and February 20, as it is determined by the lunar calendar.