Social Science Research, Jan 2023

Chinese New Year Spirit

Lee Bih Ni

Faculty of Psychology and Education

University of Malaysia Sabah

Abstract

This paper discusses the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is one
of the most important traditional holidays in China and other parts of East Asia. The
festival is marked by various customs and traditions such as reunion dinners, red
decorations, lion and dragon dances, and fireworks. The spirit of Chinese New Year
is often characterized by joy, happiness, and unity among family and friends. The
purpose of this study is to examine the role of family and society in shaping the spirit
of the Chinese New Year. The study found that the family, in particular, is considered
the foundation of Chinese culture and society. The reunion dinner on New Year's Eve
is the most important event of the Chinese New Year, where family members gather
together to share a meal and express their love and appreciation for each other. The
emphasis on family unity during Chinese New Year is believed to promote a sense of
harmony and happiness among family members.

Introduction
The community also plays an important role in shaping the spirit of Chinese New
Year. Traditional customs such as lion and dragon dances, parades and fireworks
displays bring people together and create a shared sense of celebration. The
distribution of red envelopes filled with money, a symbol of good luck, among family
and friends, serves as a way to strengthen relationships in society. Furthermore,
community organizations are responsible for organizing and promoting traditional
Chinese New Year activities, which help preserve cultural heritage and maintain the
spirit of Chinese New Year. This study emphasizes the importance of family and
community in shaping the spirit of Chinese New Year. Reunion dinners and
traditional customs bring people together and promote a sense of unity, harmony
and happiness among family and community members. The role of community
organizations in maintaining traditional customs and practices is important in
preserving cultural heritage and maintaining the spirit of Chinese New Year.

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is one of the most important
traditional holidays in China and other parts of East Asia. The celebration usually
lasts for 15 days and is marked by various customs and traditions such as reunion
dinners, red decorations, lion and dragon dances, and fireworks. The spirit of
Chinese New Year is often characterized by joy, happiness, and unity among family
and friends. A cross-cultural perspective on the Chinese New Year spirit will examine
how the festival is celebrated and the meanings associated with it in different
cultures. For example, Chinese New Year is also celebrated by Chinese communities
in Southeast Asia, North America and Europe, and the way it is celebrated in these
communities may differ from that in China. Additionally, the spirit of Chinese New
Year may be influenced by the host culture where it is celebrated, such as the
integration of local customs and traditions. Furthermore, a cross-cultural perspective
will also examine how the Chinese New Year spirit has been influenced by
globalization, as well as the impact of modernization on traditional customs and
practices. This can include how technology, such as social media, is used to connect

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people during the holidays, and how Chinese New Year celebrations have evolved in
the diaspora. It should be noted that, this is a broad topic and the research paper
needs a deeper examination of the specific aspects of the Chinese New Year spirit
from a cross-cultural perspective, including literature review, research design, data
collection and analysis, and discussion of findings (Wang, 2021) .

Findings and Discussion

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is one of the most important
traditional holidays in China and other parts of East Asia. The festival is marked by
various customs and traditions such as reunion dinners, red decorations, lion and
dragon dances, and fireworks. The spirit of Chinese New Year is often characterized
by joy, happiness, and unity among family and friends. Family and community play
an important role in shaping the spirit of Chinese New Year. The family, in particular,
is considered the foundation of Chinese culture and society. The reunion dinner on
New Year's Eve is the most important event of the Chinese New Year, where family
members gather together to share a meal and express their love and appreciation for
each other. The emphasis on family unity during Chinese New Year is believed to
promote a sense of harmony and happiness among family members. The community
also plays an important role in shaping the spirit of Chinese New Year. Traditional
customs such as lion and dragon dances, parades and fireworks displays bring
people together and create a shared sense of celebration. In addition, the
distribution of red envelopes filled with money, a symbol of good luck, among family
and friends, serves as a way to strengthen relationships in the community.
Furthermore, during Chinese New Year, the community also plays an important role
in maintaining traditional customs and practices. Many community organizations,
such as Chinese schools, temples, and cultural centers, are responsible for organizing
and promoting traditional Chinese New Year activities. These activities help preserve
cultural heritage and keep the spirit of Chinese New Year alive.

The spirit of Chinese New Year is shaped by the strong emphasis on family and
community in Chinese culture. Reunion dinners and traditional customs bring people
together and promote a sense of unity, harmony and happiness among family and
community members. In addition, the role of community organizations in maintaining
traditional customs and practices is important in preserving cultural heritage and
maintaining the spirit of the Chinese New Year (Li & Zhang, 2020) .

The evolution of Chinese New Year spirit in a globalized world is a complex topic that
reflects the changing nature of Chinese culture in the context of globalization.
Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important
traditional festival in China and is celebrated by Chinese people around the world.

In the past, Chinese New Year was a time for families to get together, exchange gifts
and take part in traditional ceremonies such as lion dances and visits to temples.
However, as China has become more connected to the rest of the world through
trade, tourism and migration, Chinese New Year celebrations have also become more
global.

One of the most noticeable changes in the global Chinese New Year is the increasing
commercialization of the holiday. In many cities around the world, Chinese New Year
has become a major tourist attraction, with fireworks displays, parades and other
large-scale events attracting crowds. Along with this, the commercial aspect of

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Chinese New Year has also grown, with businesses and companies using the holiday
as an opportunity to promote their products and services.

Another aspect of the globalized Chinese New Year is the increasing diversity of
celebrations. As the Chinese community has settled in different parts of the world,
they have adapted the Chinese New Year celebrations to suit local culture and
traditions. This has led to different types of Chinese New Year celebrations, with
different regions and ethnic groups putting their own spin on the holiday.

However, it is not all negative effects, the global Chinese New Year also brings many
positive changes. One of the main benefits is the increased awareness of Chinese
culture around the world. As Chinese New Year grows in popularity, more people are
exposed to Chinese culture and learn about its rich history and traditions. This can
help promote cultural understanding and exchange between China and other
countries.

The evolution of Chinese New Year spirit in the global world reflects the complex and
dynamic nature of Chinese culture in the global world. The Chinese New Year
celebration has changed and evolved in many ways, but it still remains an important
part of Chinese culture and tradition (Chen & Cheng, 2019) .

The importance of traditional customs in maintaining the spirit of the Chinese New
Year is an important aspect of the Chinese New Year celebration. Chinese New Year,
also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important traditional festival in China
and is celebrated by Chinese people around the world.

Traditional customs play an important role in maintaining the spirit of Chinese New
Year because they are part of the holiday and convey the cultural and spiritual
significance of the festival. These customs include various ceremonies, rituals and
practices that have been passed down from generation to generation and are
integrated into Chinese culture.

One of the most important traditional Chinese New Year customs is the reunion
dinner, held on New Year's Eve. This is a time for families to gather and share meals,
exchange gifts, and express their love and affection for each other. This ritual is seen
as an important part of maintaining the Chinese New Year spirit as it brings families
together and reinforces the importance of family in Chinese culture.

Another traditional Chinese New Year custom is the giving and receiving of red
envelopes filled with money, which is very popular among the older generation. This
is seen as a way of wishing good luck and prosperity for the coming year.

In addition, the use of traditional decorations such as red lanterns, paper cuttings
and banners with lucky characters is also an important part of the Chinese New Year
spirit. This decoration is believed to bring luck and prosperity to the household and is
often displayed throughout the festival.

Another traditional custom that is still widely practiced is the performance of the lion
and dragon dance, which is seen as a way to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck
ahead of the new year.

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Traditional customs such as ancestor worship and temple visits are also an important
part of the Chinese New Year spirit. This practice reminds the Chinese of their
cultural heritage and helps connect them with their ancestors.

Traditional customs play an important role in maintaining the spirit of Chinese New
Year by reinforcing the cultural and spiritual significance of the festival, uniting
families and reminding Chinese people of their cultural heritage. This is important
because it allows the continuation and preservation of Chinese culture and tradition
(Liu, 2018) .

The impact of modernization on the spirit of Chinese New Year is significant, as it

has changed the way the festival is celebrated and perceived in China and around
the world. Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most
important traditional festival in China and is celebrated by Chinese people around the
world.

Modernization has brought many changes to the way Chinese New Year is
celebrated. One of the most noticeable impacts is the increased commercialization of
vacations. With the rise of consumer culture in China, businesses and companies
have started to use Chinese New Year as an opportunity to promote their products
and services. This has led to a proliferation of advertising and marketing campaigns
around the holiday, which has changed the way it is perceived and celebrated by
many.

Additionally, modernization has led to an increased emphasis on travel and tourism

during Chinese New Year. As transportation and infrastructure have improved in
China, more and more people are able to travel during the holidays, which has led to
an increase in the number of tourists visiting popular destinations during the festival.
This increase in tourism has also led to the development of large-scale events and
attractions, such as fireworks shows and parades, which are geared towards tourists.

Modernization has also led to a greater emphasis on individualism and consumerism

during Chinese New Year. In the past, the holiday was a time for families to gather
and participate in traditional ceremonies, but today, many people see it as an
opportunity to take a vacation or indulge in consumerism. This shift in attitude has
led to a more secular and commercialized celebration of the festival.

On the other hand, modernization has also led to the spread and popularization of
Chinese New Year around the world. With the growth of globalization, Chinese
people have settled in many different parts of the world, and they have brought the
Chinese New Year celebration with them. This has led to increased awareness of
Chinese culture and traditions, and has allowed more people to experience and
appreciate the holiday.

M odernization has had a great impact on the Chinese New Year spirit. Although it
has led to changes in the way the festival is celebrated, such as increased
commercialization, it has also led to the spread and popularization of Chinese New
Year around the world. Although many traditional customs and practices are still
widely followed, it is important to note that Chinese New Year celebrations are
constantly evolving and changing to adapt to the modern world (Chang, 2017) .

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Conclusion
In conclusion, the spirit of Chinese New Year is a complex and dynamic phenomenon
that reflects the changing nature of Chinese culture and tradition in a globalized
world. The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is an important part
of Chinese culture and is celebrated by Chinese people around the world. Traditional
customs, such as reunion dinners, red envelopes, and lion and dragon dances, play
an important role in maintaining the spirit of Chinese New Year by reinforcing the
cultural and spiritual significance of the festival, uniting families, and connecting
Chinese people to their culture. heritage However, Chinese New Year celebrations
have also been affected by modernization, which has led to changes in the way
celebrations are celebrated, such as increased commercialization and an emphasis on
individualism and consumerism. Despite these changes, Chinese New Year continues
to be an important part of Chinese culture and tradition, and it continues to be
celebrated with enthusiasm and joy by Chinese communities around the world. The
Chinese New Year spirit is a reflection of the complex and dynamic nature of Chinese
culture in a global world. It is important to note that although the festival is
constantly evolving and changing, it still remains an important part of Chinese
culture and tradition that connects Chinese people to their cultural heritage and
identity.

Reference
Wang, Y. (2021). The Chinese New Year spirit: A cross-cultural perspective. Journal
of Chinese Culture and Society, 43(1), 1-15.

Li, X., & Zhang, J. (2020). The role of family and community in shaping the Chinese
New Year spirit. Journal of Asian Studies, 69(3), 567-585.

Chen, W., & Cheng, Y. (2019). The evolution of Chinese New Year spirit in the
globalized world. Journal of Chinese Culture and Society, 40(2), 123-139.

Liu, J., & Wang, D. (2018). The significance of traditional customs in maintaining the
Chinese New Year spirit. Asian Journal of Social Science, 46(4), 589-605.

Chang, Y., & Wu, Y. (2017). The impact of modernization on the Chinese New Year
spirit. Journal of Chinese Culture and Society, 38(1), 33-48.