The Chinese Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, has been celebrated in China since the 20th century. Today, it is celebrated all over the world, particularly in countries with a large Chinese population, including the USA.

The Lunar New Year celebration has its roots in traditional practices of honoring ancestors and praying for  blessings and a good harvest. There is also an ancient legend based on a monster named Nian. Nian was greatly feared because he would attack and eat the villagers each year before  New Years Eve. However, the villagers soon discovered that red color and bright light scared the monster and kept him away. Therefore, on New Years Eve, people would dress in red, light candles and lanterns, and set off fireworks to keep the monster away. These customs and traditions are still followed today. The color red is also very popular around the New Year because it represents good fortune.

Another legend says that Buddha asked all animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve animals showed up and Buddha named a year after each animal – rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. Persons born in a particular animal’s year would display some of that animal’s characteristics. 2016 is the year of the monkey. People born during the year of the monkey are characterized as clever, curious, intelligent, witty, and playful.

This Chinese New Year fell on Monday, February 8, 2016. Celebrations continue into the weekend, so I went to the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival on Saturday, February 13.

The Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival featured traditional arts and crafts, food, folk songs, and dances, including the popular lion and dragon dances. Here are a few clips from the festival:

Food is another major aspect of the Chinese New Year celebration. Reunion dinners are of great significance. Family members come together to celebrate during their reunion dinner on the eve of the Chinese New Year. Traditional foods include dumplings, pork, and chicken.

Gifts are also exchanged during this time. The Chinese Lunar New Year is by far the most important and longest celebrated festival in China.