Chinese New Year's Eve
Overview
Chinese New Year's Eve, known as "Chuxi" (除夕) in Chinese, is a traditional festival marking the end of the lunar year and the eve of the Chinese New Year. The term "Chuxi" literally translates to "removing evening," signifying the removal of the old year and welcoming the new. This festival has ancient origins dating back to the pre-Qin period and is celebrated with numerous customs and traditions that emphasize family reunion, ancestor worship, and the ushering in of good fortune for the coming year.
History
The origins of Chinese New Year's Eve can be traced to ancient customs of "zhu chu" (逐除) from the pre-Qin period. According to the Lüshi Chunqiu·Ji Dong Ji (《吕氏春秋·季冬记》), ancient people would beat drums to drive away "epidemic ghosts" on the day before the new year, which is considered the origin of the "Chuxi" festival. The earliest mention of the name "Chuxi" appears in historical texts such as the Fengtu Ji (《风土记》) written by Zhou Chu of the Western Jin Dynasty.
During the Zhou and Qin dynasties, the imperial court would hold a "Da Nuo" (大傩) ceremony at the end of each year, beating drums to drive away epidemic ghosts, known as "zhu chu". The day before Chuxi was called "xiao chu" (小除), or "small eve," while Chuxi itself was called "da chu" (大除), or "great eve."
In 104 BCE, Emperor Wu of Han issued the Taichu Calendar (《太初历》), establishing the first day of the first lunar month as the beginning of the year, making the last day of the lunar year the Chinese New Year's Eve. This lunar calendar system continued to be used in China until the late Qing Dynasty.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the government adopted the Gregorian calendar while maintaining the traditional lunar calendar celebrations. The first day of the lunar year was renamed "Spring Festival" (春节), and the last day of the lunar year became "Chinese New Year's Eve" (除夕). In 2008, Chinese New Year's Eve was officially designated as a legal holiday in China, though this status was changed in 2014. In 2024, the government once again recognized Chinese New Year's Eve as part of the official Spring Festival holiday period.
Key Information
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 除夕 (Chuxi) |
| Alternative Names | 大年夜 (Dàniányè), 除夜 (Chúyè) |
| Time | Last day of the lunar year (December 30th or 29th) |
| Type | Traditional Chinese festival |
| Regions | Primarily China, also celebrated in Chinese communities worldwide |
| Origin | Pre-Qin period "zhu chu" customs |
| Activities | Family reunion, ancestor worship, New Year's Eve dinner, setting off firecrackers, staying up late |
| Food | Dumplings, fish, rice cakes, and other symbolic dishes |
| Significance | Marking the end of the old year and welcoming the new, family reunion, driving away bad luck |
Cultural Significance
Chinese New Year's Eve holds deep cultural significance as a time for family reunion, ancestor worship, and the ushering in of good fortune. The festival embodies traditional Chinese values such as filial piety, respect for ancestors, and hope for prosperity.
Ancestor Worship
The Chinese people have since ancient times had the tradition of "shen zhong zhui yuan" (慎终追远), never forgetting to worship ancestors during festivals. On Chinese New Year's Eve, people arrange dishes and wine to hold grand ceremonies to express remembrance of ancestors and pray for their blessings. This tradition has been passed down through generations and remains an eternal theme of traditional Chinese festivals.
Family Reunion
Chinese New Year's Eve is the most important time for family reunion in traditional Chinese culture. Regardless of how far they are from home, people strive to return to their families for the New Year's Eve dinner. This reunion dinner, known as "Nianye Fan" (年夜饭), is the most lavish and important meal of the year, symbolizing family unity and completeness.
Warding Off Evil
Many customs during Chinese New Year's Eve are related to warding off evil spirits and bad luck. These include setting off firecrackers, displaying door gods (门神), and posting upside-down "fu" (福) characters, which symbolize "good fortune has arrived" (福到了). These customs reflect the ancient belief that the transition between the old and new years is a time when supernatural forces are active.
Modern Status
Today, Chinese New Year's Eve remains one of the most important traditional festivals in China and among Chinese communities worldwide. While some traditional customs have evolved or simplified, the core significance of family reunion and cultural continuity remains strong.
In mainland China, Chinese New Year's Eve is widely celebrated with family dinners, watching the Spring Festival Gala on television, and setting off fireworks in many regions. The government has adjusted its holiday policies regarding Chinese New Year's Eve over the years, sometimes including it as a legal holiday and sometimes not, reflecting the balance between traditional customs and modern work schedules.
In recent years, there has been growing concern about the environmental impact of firecrackers and fireworks, leading many cities to restrict or ban their use. Despite these changes, the spirit of Chinese New Year's Eve endures, adapting to contemporary life while preserving its traditional essence.
References
- Eberhard, Wolfram. (1968). The Local Cultures of South and East China. E.J. Brill.
- Jiang, Yanhua. (2012). Chinese Festivals and Customs. China Intercontinental Press.
- Teague, George. (2010). "Calendar Reform and the Chinese New Year: A Historical Analysis." Journal of Asian History, 44(2), 145-167.
Poems and Literary Works
Chinese New Year's Eve has been a popular theme in Chinese poetry and literature throughout history. The following are some famous poems dedicated to this festival:
| Title | Author | Original Text |
|---|---|---|
| "New Year's Day" | Wang Anshi | 爆竹声中一岁除，春风送暖入屠苏。千门万户曈曈日，总把新桃换旧符。 |
| "Snow on New Year's Eve" | Lu You | 北风吹雪四更初，嘉瑞天教及岁除。半盏屠苏犹未举，灯前小草写桃符。 |
| "Staying Up Late" | Su Shi | 欲知垂尽岁，有似赴壑蛇。修鳞半已没，去意谁能遮。况欲系其尾，虽勤知奈何。儿童强不睡，相守夜欢哗。 |
| "New Year's Eve" | Wen Tianxiang | 乾坤空落落，岁月去堂堂；末路惊风雨，穷边饱雪霜。命随年欲尽，身与世俱忘；无复屠苏梦，挑灯夜未央。 |