When Was Chinese New Year 2017: Dates, Traditions, and Celebrations Explained

Are you ready to party like it's 4715? That's right, Chinese New Year 2017 is upon us! This year's festivities officially kick off on January 28th, but the celebrations will last for a full 15 days. So grab your red envelopes and get ready to ring in the Year of the Rooster!

Now, before we dive into all the fun and excitement of Chinese New Year, let's take a quick look at what this holiday is all about. For starters, it's the most important traditional holiday in China, marked by a series of ancient customs and rituals that have been passed down through generations.

One of the most iconic customs of Chinese New Year is the annual reunion dinner. Families gather together on New Year's Eve to share a feast of traditional dishes, including dumplings, fish, and rice cakes. It's a time for loved ones to come together and reflect on the past year.

But of course, no Chinese New Year celebration would be complete without fireworks! The loud explosions are believed to scare off evil spirits and bring good luck for the coming year. In fact, the Chinese invented fireworks over 2,000 years ago and have been using them to celebrate ever since.

Another important tradition of Chinese New Year is the giving of red envelopes, or hongbao. These little packets are filled with money and given to children as a symbol of good luck and prosperity. And let's be real, who doesn't love getting a little extra cash?

Now, let's talk about the zodiac. Each year in the Chinese calendar is associated with one of 12 zodiac animals, and 2017 is the Year of the Rooster. According to legend, the rooster is known for being hardworking, confident, and ambitious. So if you're a rooster, get ready for a year of success!

But what if you're not a rooster? Don't worry, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate Chinese New Year. You can wear red clothes (the color is believed to bring good luck), decorate your home with lanterns and other traditional decorations, and of course, feast on delicious Chinese food.

One thing to keep in mind if you're planning on celebrating Chinese New Year this year: it's going to be crowded. And we mean really crowded. This holiday is a major travel period in China, with millions of people flocking to their hometowns to be with family. So if you're in China during this time, be prepared for long lines and packed streets.

But despite the crowds, Chinese New Year is truly a magical time. It's a time for renewal, reflection, and celebration. So whether you're in China or halfway across the world, take some time to appreciate the traditions and customs of this ancient holiday.

And who knows? Maybe this will be the year that you finally get that hongbao filled with cash!

Introduction: The Confusion Around Chinese New Year 2017

Well, it's a new year and we're all excited about what it holds for us. But wait, did we miss out on celebrating the Chinese New Year? Was it just yesterday or last week? Maybe it's still to come! The confusion around Chinese New Year 2017 seems to have left many of us scratching our heads.

The Basics of Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is celebrated by the Chinese community around the world. The date of the festival is determined by the lunar calendar, which means it falls on a different date each year. Typically, it falls between late January and mid-February and is celebrated for 15 days.

So, When Was Chinese New Year 2017?

Chinese New Year 2017 was celebrated on January 28th. It marked the beginning of the Year of the Rooster. However, the celebrations continued until February 11th, which was the end of the Spring Festival period.

The Confusion Around the Date

Now that we know when Chinese New Year 2017 was, let's talk about why there was so much confusion around the date. Firstly, the lunar calendar is not commonly used in the Western world, and so many people are not familiar with it. Secondly, the date of Chinese New Year changes every year, and so it can be difficult to keep track of.

The New Year's Eve Dilemma

Another reason for the confusion around the date was the fact that the Chinese New Year celebrations traditionally begin on New Year's Eve. However, this year New Year's Eve fell on December 31st, which is also the Western New Year's Eve. This led to some confusion as to which New Year's Eve was being referred to.

The Importance of Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is an important festival for the Chinese community, and it is celebrated with much fanfare. It is a time for family reunions, feasting, and exchanging gifts. The festival is steeped in tradition and folklore, and each year has its own zodiac animal, which is believed to influence the fortunes of people born in that year.

The Year of the Rooster

The Year of the Rooster is believed to be a lucky year for those born in the years of the Rooster, Ox, Snake, and Dragon. However, it is considered an unlucky year for those born in the years of the Rat, Rabbit, Horse, and Rooster.

The Customs of Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is celebrated with a number of customs and traditions. These include cleaning the house to get rid of bad luck, decorating the house with red lanterns and banners, giving red envelopes filled with money to children, and eating traditional foods such as dumplings and fish.

The Lion Dance

One of the most popular customs associated with Chinese New Year is the Lion Dance. This involves performers dressed as lions dancing through the streets to the beat of drums and cymbals. The Lion Dance is believed to bring good luck and scare away evil spirits.

The End of the Spring Festival Period

As mentioned earlier, the Spring Festival period lasts for 15 days, with Chinese New Year marking the beginning of the celebrations. The period ends on the 15th day of the first lunar month, which is known as the Lantern Festival. This year, the Lantern Festival fell on February 11th.

The Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival is celebrated with the lighting of lanterns, solving riddles written on lanterns, and eating sweet glutinous rice balls called yuanxiao. It is a time for families to come together and enjoy each other's company.

Conclusion: Don't Miss Out on Chinese New Year Next Year

Now that we know when Chinese New Year 2017 was, let's make sure we don't miss out on it next year. It's a wonderful festival that celebrates Chinese culture and tradition, and it's a time for joy and happiness. So mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate the next Chinese New Year!

When the Rooster Went on Vacation

The Great Red Lantern Mystery of 2017

Chinese New Year is a time of tradition and celebration, but for some reason, this year felt different. Maybe it was because the rooster, the animal of the year, decided to take a vacation and leave us all hanging. Or maybe it was because of the great red lantern mystery of 2017. Whatever the reason, this Chinese New Year was one for the books.

Snow, Fireworks, and Dumplings Galore

Despite the absence of the rooster, the festivities must go on, and they did. Snow covered the streets as fireworks lit up the sky. The smell of dumplings filled the air as families gathered together to celebrate the new year. It was a time of joy, laughter, and plenty of good food.

Why You Should Never Invite a Dragon to Your Party

One of the highlights of Chinese New Year is the dragon dance, where a group of people dress up in a dragon costume and perform a traditional dance. However, this year, things didn't go quite as planned. One family decided to invite a real dragon to their party, thinking it would add to the festive atmosphere. Let's just say it didn't end well. Turns out dragons are not as friendly as they appear in the stories.

Lost in Translation: Trying to Wish Someone a Happy New Year

For those who don't speak Chinese, trying to wish someone a happy new year can be a bit of a challenge. One poor soul thought they were saying happy new year when in fact they were saying I hope you have a bad year. Needless to say, that conversation didn't end well.

The Year of the Rooster: A Tribute to Early Birds Everywhere

Despite the rooster's absence, we couldn't forget about the animal of the year. This year was a tribute to all the early birds out there, those who wake up before the sun and get things done. It was a time to appreciate the hard work and dedication that goes into being an early riser.

Why You Should Always Wear Red Underwear on Chinese New Year

One tradition that many people follow is wearing red underwear on Chinese New Year. Why, you ask? Well, it's believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. And let's face it, who doesn't need a little extra luck in their life?

The Great Debate: Nian Gao or Tang Yuan?

When it comes to Chinese New Year desserts, there are two main contenders: nian gao, a sticky rice cake, and tang yuan, sweet glutinous rice balls filled with sesame paste or red bean paste. The great debate rages on as to which one is better. Personally, I think they're both delicious and can never decide.

The One Time of Year When You Can't Avoid Your Relatives

Chinese New Year is a time for family, and that means spending time with relatives you may not see very often. It can be stressful, but it's also a time to catch up and reconnect. Plus, there's always the promise of red envelopes filled with money to make it all worth it.

The Secret Origins of the Chinese Zodiac - and Why It's All About the Food

Finally, let's talk about the origins of the Chinese zodiac. Legend has it that the Jade Emperor held a race between all the animals to determine the order of the zodiac. But why these specific animals? It's believed that they were chosen because they were all important in agriculture and food production. So, next time you're chowing down on some dumplings or tang yuan, remember that it's all thanks to the Chinese zodiac.

So there you have it, a recap of Chinese New Year 2017. Despite the rooster's absence and the great red lantern mystery, it was still a time of joy, tradition, and plenty of good food. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some nian gao and tang yuan to devour.

Chinese New Year 2017: A Humorous Tale

Introduction

Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is one of the most important holidays in China. It is celebrated on the first day of the lunar calendar, which usually falls between January 21 and February 20. In 2017, Chinese New Year was on January 28, ushering in the Year of the Rooster.

The Preparations

As with any major holiday, preparations for Chinese New Year began well in advance. People cleaned their homes from top to bottom to sweep away any bad luck from the past year. They also hung up red decorations, which are believed to bring good luck.

My friend Lily invited me to celebrate Chinese New Year with her and her family. She warned me that her grandmother was a stickler for tradition and that I had to follow certain customs.

I was not allowed to wear black or white, as these are considered unlucky colors.
I had to bring a gift, preferably something red, such as a red envelope filled with money.
I had to eat fish, as it symbolized prosperity.

I was excited to experience Chinese New Year firsthand, but also nervous about making a mistake and offending Lily's grandmother.

The Celebration

Lily's family welcomed me warmly and we sat down to a feast of traditional Chinese dishes. I tried everything, from dumplings to noodles, but when the fish dish came out, I hesitated. The fish had its head and tail intact, staring at me with beady eyes.

Don't worry, it's just for decoration, Lily whispered to me. You don't have to eat the head or tail.

Relieved, I took a piece of fish and put it in my mouth. It was delicious!

After dinner, we lit firecrackers outside to scare away evil spirits and watched the CCTV New Year's Gala on TV. We also played mahjong and exchanged red envelopes filled with money.

The Conclusion

As the night wore on, I started to feel more and more like part of the family. I even tried speaking some Mandarin, despite my terrible pronunciation.

Gong xi fa cai! I said, wishing everyone a happy new year.

Everyone laughed and cheered. Lily's grandmother gave me a big hug and said, You are a true friend to our family.

I felt happy and grateful to have been included in such a special celebration. Chinese New Year 2017 was definitely a night to remember!

Table Information

Keywords	Meaning
Chinese New Year	An important holiday in China celebrated on the first day of the lunar calendar
Spring Festival	Another name for Chinese New Year
Year of the Rooster	A year in the Chinese zodiac cycle that corresponds to 2017
Red decorations	Believed to bring good luck during Chinese New Year
Black and white	Considered unlucky colors during Chinese New Year
Red envelope	A traditional gift given during Chinese New Year, usually filled with money
Fish	Symbolizes prosperity during Chinese New Year
Firecrackers	Used to scare away evil spirits during Chinese New Year
Mahjong	A traditional Chinese game played during Chinese New Year

Well, that's a wrap folks!

As we bid adieu to the Year of the Rooster, it's time to reflect on the festivities that marked the Chinese New Year 2017.

From the drumming of lion dancers to the lighting of firecrackers, from the feasting on dumplings to the exchanging of red envelopes, the Chinese New Year is a time for celebration and renewal. And this year was no exception.

But before we say goodbye to the Year of the Rooster, let's take a moment to look back on some of the highlights of the Chinese New Year 2017.

First and foremost, who could forget the massive parades that took place in cities around the world? From San Francisco to Sydney, London to Hong Kong, people came out in droves to witness the colorful floats, elaborate costumes, and lively performances that make the Chinese New Year such a spectacle.

And let's not forget the food! Whether you indulged in traditional dishes like dumplings, fish, and nian gao, or experimented with fusion cuisine that blended Chinese flavors with local ingredients, the Chinese New Year was a feast for the senses.

But it wasn't just about eating and partying. The Chinese New Year is also a time for reflection and introspection. Many people took this opportunity to set intentions for the year ahead, to let go of old grudges and resentments, and to cultivate a spirit of gratitude and compassion.

Of course, no Chinese New Year would be complete without the ubiquitous red envelopes. Whether you were the lucky recipient of a crisp new bill or the generous giver of fortune to others, the red envelopes were a symbol of the generosity and goodwill that permeated the holiday season.

But now the celebrations have come to an end, and it's time to get back to reality. As we return to our daily routines and the year marches on, let's carry with us the spirit of the Chinese New Year – a spirit of joy, abundance, and goodwill towards all.

So here's to the Year of the Rooster – may its energy and vitality carry us through the challenges and triumphs of the year ahead!

And who knows what the Year of the Dog will bring? Perhaps it will be a year of loyalty and companionship, of fierce protection and unconditional love. Or perhaps it will be a year of unexpected twists and turns, of adventure and exploration.

Either way, one thing is for sure – the Chinese New Year 2017 was a memorable one, filled with laughter, love, and lots of dumplings.

So until next year, Gong Xi Fa Cai, Kung Hei Fat Choy, and Happy New Year to all!