More than 20% of the world celebrates Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival. It’s the most important holiday in China and to Chinese people all over. Chinese New Year is also called the Spring Festival because it marks the end of the coldest day, so people can welcome spring. It can also be called the Lunar New Year since it’s celebrated in countries like North and South Korea and Vietnam as well. Chinese New Year goes according to the lunar calendar so there is not one set date. The holiday ranges from January 21 to February 20. In 2019 the holiday occurred on February 5th, this year it took place on January 25. Although China follows the Gregorian calendar like the rest of the world, the lunar calendar is still important and what all traditional holidays are celebrated according to, like the Winter Solstice.
Originally, the Spring Festival was a day to pray to gods for the spring, which includes the planting and harvest season. The harvest was very important to the agrarian society. People also prayed to their ancestors during the holiday. Legend says that a monster named Nian would come about every New Year’s Eve. While most people would hide safe in their homes, a brave boy fought him off with firecrackers. The following day, people set off even more firecrackers to celebrate their survival. This practice of setting off firecrackers became a crucial part of Chinese New Year. Setting off firecrackers is supposed to scare off monsters and bad luck like in the legend about Nian. So people often stay up on Chinese New Year’s Eve and set off firecrackers at midnight, and again in the morning to welcome the new year and good luck. Due to concerns for air pollution and safety, many Chinese cities have banned fireworks or have restrictions. But people often set them off anyways. Thanks to an angry public, Beijing lifted the ban on fireworks in 2006 after 13 years. Some families also burn fake paper money and printed gold bars to honor their deceased loved ones, because they believe the offerings will bring fortune and good luck to their ancestors in the afterlife. This tradition is similar to the Korean Chuseok holiday or the Mexican Day of the Dead.
https://chinesenewyear.net/21-things-you-didnt-know-about-chinese-new-year/