However, due to security reasons, firecrackers are banned in many areas nowadays and official fireworks displays are held instead.
The calendar was started on astronomical observations of the moon's phases.
Each year a Chinese zodiac animal is the symbol for the year.
Both wishes mean: Wishing you a prosperous new year.
People eat ‘auspicious food’ during the new year period. A fish is a symbol of good luck, wealth and healthy life.
The 12 Chinese zodiac animals are: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. They always come in the same order, so 2018 was the year of the dog, 2019 is the year of the pig and 2020 will be the year of the rat. (We share the answer at the bottom of the page under 'Resources') People wish each other good luck, happiness and wealth for the new year.
The words used most in good wishes are: happiness, wealth, prosperity, prosperous, auspicious'Gong Xi Fa Cai' means 'Have a prosperous new year' (pronounce it as: Gong Hee Faat Choy).
Some families may even invite a dance troupe into their homes as well.
Firecrackers are lit as these shall bring good luck and fortune.
It ends typically with lantern festivals on the 15th day of the first calendar month.
See below an image from the Pingxi Sky Festival which is celebrated in Taiwan every year to end the new year's festivities.
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