Just when we thought all the Christmas festivities were over, we herald the arrival of Chinese New Year which is the most important festival in the Chinese calendar.
What is Chinese New Year?
Also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, Chinese New Year is China's most important celebration for families which is a celebration to mark the beginning of the lunar calendar year and a week of official public holidays is granted in its honour.
When is Chinese New Year?
The date of the Chinese New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice on December 21. As the moon activity changes so does the New Year in China and falls on different dates of the Gregorian calendar, between January 21 and February 20. For 2020, This year, Chinese New Year falls on Saturday, January 25, 2020, beginning a year of the Rat and China's public holiday will be January 24–30, 2020.
What are the traditions for Chinese New Year?
There are four activities that are tradition for this time of year in Chinese culture:
1) putting up decorations,
2) eating reunion dinner with family on New Year's Eve,
3) firecrackers and fireworks, and
4) giving red envelopes and other gifts
- Putting up decorations
Red is believed to be an auspicious colour so every street, building or house where Spring Festival is celebrated is decorated with red. Red Chinese lanterns are hung in streets; red couplets are pasted on doors; banks and official buildings are decorated with red New Year pictures depicting images of prosperity. Most public decorations are erected a month before New Year’s Eve but unlike Christmas in Australia, home decoration is traditionally done on Chinese New Year's Eve.
- Chinese New Year's Eve — Family Time
The Chinese New Year period (Lunar New Year) is considered family time with New Year's Eve being the most important time. The Chinese New Year's Eve dinner is called 'reunion dinner' and is believed to be the most important meal of the year.
- Firecrackers and Fireworks at Chinese New Year
It has long been a Chinese tradition to set off firecrackers from the first minute of their new year. Fireworks have increasingly been added to the cacophony. From public displays in major cities to millions of private celebrations in China's rural areas, setting off firecrackers and fireworks is an indispensable festivity. Billions of fireworks go up in China at 12am Chinese New Year, the most anywhere at any time of year.
- Chinese New Year Gifts and Red Envelopes
As per Christmas in other countries, people exchange gifts during the Spring Festival. Increasingly younger people prefer just to receive red envelopes (by hand or electronically). Red envelopes contain money and believed to bring good luck because they are red. They are given to children and retirees. Customarily only employers give red envelopes to working adults.
Assistance with socialising for elderly loved ones
This year, Chinese New Year occurs on the same weekend as Australia Day long weekend and is the day before Australia Day, making the start of the decade even more exciting as Australians enjoy the cultural activities hosted by Chinese Australians. Older Australians are encouraged to socialise and keep active and there is no better time than during this fun, colourful, festive period. We know that taking elderly loved ones or those living with a disability out to public events can be challenging for primary carers but Right at Home Home offices around Australia are set up to assist, making the day enjoyable and helping clients to feel connected. Look for festivities to attend with your elderly loved ones and if you need assistance with the outings call Right at Home Australia on 1300 363 802 or visit our website
Melbourne:
https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/whatson/festivals/multicultural/pages/a087cf71-d180-473b-b4d4-8cb53a75ac39.aspx
Sydney
https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/major-events/sydney-lunar-festival
Brisbane
https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/whats-on-and-events/event/lunar-new-year-140441962
Toowoomba
https://www.eventfinda.com.au/2019/chinese-new-year-celebrations/toowoomba/darling-heights
Townsville
https://whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au/events/a-taste-of-chinese-new-year
Cairns
https://www.cairnsattractions.com.au/information/cairns-chinese-new-year-2020.487.html
Rockhampton
https://www.advancerockhampton.com.au/Visit/Events
Mackay
https://www.mackayregion.com/events
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/d/australia--mackay/events/
https://www.queensland.com/en-au/explore-queensland/the-mackay-region/events
Gold Coast
https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/lunar-new-year-39217.html
Adelaide
https://explore.cityofadelaide.com.au/see-and-do/major-events/lunar-new-year/
Perth
https://www.perthhappenings.com.au/event/perth-chinese-new-year-fair-2020/
Darwin
https://www.studiesinaustralia.com/Blog/about-australia/where-to-celebrate-chinese-new-year-around-australia
Hobart
https://www.hobartcity.com.au/Community/Events-and-activities/2020-Lunar-New-Year
Australia Day events around Australia:
https://www.australiaday.org.au/events/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA04XxBRD5ARIsAGFygj8IikdGK2Izv2g99Iafz0qdFnQKMxZJiSOZm80q8b_0teIw8jRcJMkaAkHgEALw_wcB
Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home companionship and personal care, and assistance to seniors and adults living with a disability who want to continue to live independently or age in their home. Right at Home is your local expert for issues related to caring for your loved ones and is dedicated to keeping you informed about home care. With no admin or subscription fees Right at Home allows you to get more care from your package or budget.
Right at Home is a 'My Aged Care' government approved, home care provider for levels 1 – 4 and offers flexible in-home care services such as nursing care, after hospital care, post-operative care, respite care, dementia and Alzheimer's care. Right at Home also offers assistance with daily living such as grooming, hygiene, transport, shopping, meal prep, domestic services and social support, so your loved one can enjoy a more independent, vibrant life. Our nurses and caregivers are screened, highly trained and insured prior to entering your home so you can trust us with the caregiving while you focus on your loved one.
To find out more, please give us a call on 1300 363 802 or visit our website
