How do foreigners celebrate the Chinese New Year?

The New Year means saying goodbye to the old and welcoming the new. Many countries have the custom of celebrating the New Year, which is different but similar to Chinese customs. Most countries in the world currently use the Gregorian calendar. However, due to different religious beliefs and calendars, the New Year's date is also different. For example, according to the Jewish calendar, New Year's Day falls between September and October of the Gregorian calendar. According to the Islamic calendar, the New Year's Day is calculated in AD July 16, 622, was New Year's Day. There were only 354 days in a year, and the date of New Year's Day changed every year.

Europe and the United States basically belong to the Christian cultural circle and celebrate the New Year according to the Gregorian calendar. Scots regard New Year as a secular holiday, more exciting than Christmas. The most lively time of the New Year in the United States is New Year's Eve, when people go to churches to pray and sing hymns. Some held family receptions and some attended performances. Many people use New Year's Day to express their "New Year's resolutions", such as quitting smoking and drinking, and being sincere to others to resolve conflicts with others. The masked masquerade balls held in Britain and the United States are also said to originate from the ancient desire to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new. The climax of Portugal's New Year activities is bullfighting, and many people spend the New Year in the bullring. Latin American countries are deeply influenced by Latin culture, and carnivals are popular on New Year's Day. Brazil's costume parade and samba competition are a big selling point for the tourism industry.

Among Asian countries, New Year is the grandest festival of the year in Japan. Many people’s doors are decorated with bamboo leaves, pine branches, straw ropes and white paper strings. Pine and bamboo represent evergreen, and white paper strings Represents purification and warding off evil spirits. Before New Year's Day, everyone rushes to send New Year's cards, and all walks of life hold "New Year's Eve parties" to communicate information and connect feelings. In recent decades, the Japan Broadcasting Corporation has held red and white singing concerts, which are very attractive. As soon as the singing session ends, the temple bells ring, symbolizing the expulsion of 108 demons and troubles (originating from Buddhism).

In Vietnam, North Korea, and Mongolia, which are adjacent to our country, in addition to the New Year in the Gregorian calendar, the Spring Festival is also a traditional folk festival, with many etiquette and customs similar to those in our country. For example, in Vietnam, there are activities such as sweeping dust vigils, New Year greetings, and outings. Zongzi are eaten on New Year's Eve. The zongzi are round and square, symbolizing the round sky and the square place, which is more than festive. It is worth mentioning that vertical flags are popular in rural areas during the Spring Festival. People use a bamboo pole, trim off the top bamboo leaves, and hang red flags and wind chimes. Legend has it that the sound made when the wind blows will scare away ghosts. In some places, a painting of a bow and arrow is hung on the flagpole, with the arrow pointing east, symbolizing exorcism. Over time, the flagpole became known as the spring pole.

Immigration culture adds new content to the New Year culture of the country of immigration. Every Spring Festival, ethnic Chinese hold celebrations in their communities. In addition to group worship, they also perform lion dances and dragon dances, which are very popular among locals. The Fujianese immigrants in Hawaii also held a daffodil festival and elected a narcissus queen. The traditional Chinese Lantern Festival is very popular when displayed abroad. Last year, the Shanxi Datong Kang's Lantern Festival went to Israel and became a sensation. This year they will be exhibited during the Chinese New Year at the invitation of Malaysia. Recently, Indonesian President Wahid announced the lifting of regulations prohibiting Chinese people from celebrating festivals in public, which is conducive to the promotion and sharing of Chinese culture.

New Year’s Day culture is a unique form of social activities created by human beings, reflecting people’s desire for peace and the pursuit of happiness. Today, the media industry provides a quick channel for people to share festival culture, and cultural dissemination and exchanges are becoming increasingly frequent; tourism provides more and more opportunities for people to experience exotic festival cultures.