Kitchen gods are fed and the house is completely cleaned. Sharp objects are avoided while feasts are prepared. All this is part of the celebration of "Yuan Tan".

PREPARATIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR

The Chinese New Year is called Yuan Tan by the Chinese. Yuan Tan is celebrated on the second new moon after the winter solstice. Even before Yuan Tan the house is full of excitement. Every nook and corner must be cleaned out.

A week before, the kitchen god, which watches the family, is offered sweets so that when he is burned and brought to heaven to report he will only say sweet things. Sometimes honey is also given to make sure he cannot open his mouth!

Sometimes a paper chariot is also made and burnt with the god. For seven days the god's shelf stays empty, and then the head of the family, ususally the father, produces a new god made from rice paper and painted with bright colours.

The day before Yuan Tan is spent cooking for the feast. No sharp instruments can be used on Yuan Tan or, the Chinese believe, you might cut out the good luck. (Here are some other Taboos and Superstitions of Chinese New Year.)

On the night before Yuan Tan the children wait for New Year. After midnight on Yuan Tan the family greets each other, generally saying "Kung-shi" which means "I humbly wish you joy." Then they all go to sleep.

CELEBRATING THE NEW YEAR

The next day everybody gets up early. The children open the red packets filled with money. There is a custom that anyone who is not married can ring at people's doors and get the red packets.

If flowers open on New Year's Day it is believed to be a symbol of good luck. The New Year is also a time to settle debts--if not both the debtor and his family will face shame.

The New Year is also a time to settle debts. A long time ago creditors were allowed to pursue debtors. If by Yuan Tan a debtor has not paid, he will be shamed as well as his family.

People are especially nice on New Year's Day for good luck. If flowers open on that day it is also a symbol of good luck. For fifteen days there are parades and celebrations including the lion dance. It ends with the festival of lights, a festival of lanterns.

For fifteen days there are parades & celebrations
including the lion dance.