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Date Published: 19/01/2023

How Chinese New Year is celebrated in Spain

The Year of the Rabbit begins on Sunday January 22 with parades and festivities across Spain

The 4,000-year-old tradition of Chinese New Year (Año Nuevo Chino in Spanish) celebrates the end of winter and the beginning of a time of renewed growth, which is why it’s often referred to as ‘Spring Festival’.

Probably the most important date on the Chinese calendar, this year the celebration falls on Sunday January 22 and will herald in the Year of the Rabbit.

The cycle will end on February 9 of 2024, coinciding with the first new moon of the first lunar month.

Chinese residents form one of the largest non-EU communities in Spain, and so the festivities will be evident in cities, towns and villages across the country. The Spanish capital will be the epicentre of the celebrations with a massive parade planned for Sunday afternoon and countless other activities including exhibitions, food tastings and childrens’ workshops spread throughout the month.

All of the major cities in Spain will feature street parties with fireworks, processions or displays and New Year’s Eve, January 21, is typically a very popular night to eat out in Chinese restaurants, which will be a blaze of colour and alive with a festive atmosphere.

What animal symbolises the Chinese New Year 2023

The Chinese zodiac features 12 animals – rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig – and each year is assigned its own. The Year of the Rabbit welcomes peace, prosperity and longevity.

In addition, each year is symbolised by one of five elements: water, fire, wood, metal and earth and 2023 will be also be the Year of the Water Rabbit. People born in the Year of Water are said to be understanding and gentle with great depth of character.

How is Chinese New Year celebrated?

In China, people usually return home to enjoy a celebratory feast with their family. Homes both in Spain and abroad are adorned in red hangings, a lucky colour, and millions of lanterns are released into the night sky. The country is illuminated with spectacular firework displays and excited children are gifted with money in special red envelopes.

It’s also tradition to carry out a big ‘spring clean’ to rid homes of any lingering bad luck.

Just like in Spain, food plays a huge part in most Chinese traditions and New Year is no exception. One of the biggest feasts will be held on New Year’s Eve and the dishes that are chosen symbolise good fortune for the coming 12 months.

Fish, dumplings and spring rolls are eaten to welcome in wealth and prosperity, Tangyuan (sweet rice balls) create family togetherness while noodles represent happiness and a long life.

Images: Pixabay

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