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The Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in the Chinese calendar.

The festival lasts for about 15 days.

Here are some of the most popular traditions that are kept all over China.

Cleaning

A few days before the Chinese New Year starts, the house is completely cleaned

to make sure the bad luck of the past year disappears.

However, no household chores are done during the first two days of the festival,

as this will take away all the good luck for the next year.

Decorations

You can always tell when it's the Chinese New Year,

because every street, shop and home is covered in red decorations.

The color red means good luck in Chinese culture.

Red lanterns are hung in the streets,

while everyone sticks posters on windows and doors.

New Year's Eve Dinner

This dinner is very important for the Chinese.

Every family gets together for a big homemade meal,

and lots of dishes, including fish, are prepared.

Fish is eaten at New Year's celebrations,

because it is supposed to bring you wealth.

Fireworks

Fireworks are used to drive away evil in China.

At midnight on New Year's Eve,

fireworks are launched to celebrate the coming of the New Year.

Red envelopes

These are cash gifts that are given to children.

It is believed that the money in the red envelopes

will protect them and give them a long life.