How do you celebrate, and how can you celebrate with us? 👀

Lunar New Year is traditionally celebrated over 15 days; or 16 days if including Lunar New Year Eve. Much like other festivities, each day carries its unique meaning, customs, and traditions, many of which centre around family, prosperity, and good luck.

Lunar New Year’s Eve (除夕)

Families gather for a reunion dinner known as Tuan Yuan Fan (团圆饭), feasting on good food and most importantly, enjoying one another’s company. At midnight, fireworks would illuminate the sky to welcome the new year. Many families stay up late to bond over games, while enjoying drinks and snacks together.

Day 1(初一) 

Chor Yat/Chu Yi refers to the first day of the Lunar New Year! It marks a new beginning and traditionally, firecrackers are set off in the morning to ward off bad luck, while also welcoming the new year. Immediate families visit each other, and younger generations would greet their elders as a sign of respect, often receiving red envelopes / hong bao (红包) in return. Tables are also filled with sweet treats, snacks and nibbles, as it signifies unity, abundance, and wealth. 

Day 2 (初二)

Chor Yee/Chu Er is the second day, where married daughters traditionally return to their hometown to visit their families, spending time with parents and relatives they may not see often. 

Day 3 (初三)

Chor Sam/Chu San, the third day, is traditionally considered an inauspicious day associated with arguments, and people are advised to stay at home and rest. However, in modern days, this practice is not strictly adhered to. With how busy daily life can be, Lunar New Year is one of the rare opportunities for families to spend time and catch up with each other. This is why we, ResLife, are excited to invite you to join us at our Lunar New year celebration for residents - please come along for a relaxing celebration on the 19th February, at 5-7pm at QM Social!

Days 4-6 (初四至初六)

During these days, some people resume business, while some continue celebrations visiting family and friends. Many public spaces like shopping malls would have festive events lining up such as Lion Dance performances - there is a lot of variety as to how different families choose to celebrate during this period. You can join the celebrations with ResLife, as we are travelling to see London's Lunar New Year Parade!

Day 7 (初七)

This day is known as Ren Ri (人日) or ‘Human Day’, which refers to the birthday of humankind. Avoiding meat is common in some cultures and families as a sign of respect, but this practice is not universal. In South-East Asian cultures, this day is often celebrated with Lao Yu Sheng (捞鱼生) - essentially it is a vibrant salad dish made up of colourful vegetables and fruits, crackers, sweet plum sauce, spices, and choice of meat such as abalone or salmon sashimi. Families and friends would come together and toss the ingredients as high as possible with chopsticks, while shouting auspicious wishes for the new year. 

Days 8-9 (初八至初九）

The 9th day marks the birthday of Tian Gong (天公), also known as the Jade Emperor. This is significant for certain Chinese communities such as Hokkiens. Close to midnight, families would prepare offerings such as fruits, roasted pork, noodles, and many more. Prayers are then offered, often bowing to pay respects, and fireworks are even set off to highlight this day. 

Days 10-14 （初十至初十四）

Celebrations are still ongoing with house visits, dinners, and gatherings. At the same time, families would begin to make preparations for the last day of Lunar New Year. 

Day 15 (初十五)

The last day is also called the Lantern festival (元宵节), which marks the final day of celebrations. Lanterns would be lit, hung, and even flown traditionally, and children would often solve lantern riddles. Families would gather to eat tang yuan (which is a type of dessert made up of glutinous rice balls) to symbolise harmony. 

In parts of Southeast Asia, there is also a tradition where people who are single would write their names and contact details on mandarin oranges and toss them into their nearest local river, in the hopes that someone would pick them up and contact them. This day brings Lunar New Year to a joyful close.