During Lunar New Year’s Eve, it is believed that more fireworks are used than any other day in the year, anywhere else in the world.

This is called qiang hongbao (抢红包), which translates to ‘snatching red pockets’.

These days, digital red pockets are all the rage, with people sending them through digital group chats where participants ‘fight’ for the money. Children traditionally receive red envelopes (also called red pockets) with lucky money passed on by elders.The number eight is also considered to be good luck in Chinese culture. This consists of eight compartments on a tray, filled with symbolic food items. An important aspect of the Chinese New Year is the chuen-hop, or ‘tray of togetherness’.When they arrived, the Rat jumped down and ran ahead of the Ox! It is believed that the Ox would have been the first, but the Rat tricked the Ox into giving him a ride. Mythology has it that the order of the animals was decided by the order in which they arrived on New Year's Day. The Ox is the second of the 12 animal zodiacs.It is also traditionally believed that people born in an animal's year have some of that animal's personality traits. That’s how the animals of the Chinese calendar came into being. According to legend, Buddha invited all the animals to meet him on New Year's Day and named a year after each of the 12 animals that came.

Similarly, during Chinese New Year, noodles are not cut to signify a long life.Sweeping and throwing out garbage is not allowed on Chinese New Year Day, apparently to ensure that any good luck is not swept or thrown away!.On the occasion of Chinese New Year Day, here’s a look at some fascinating cultures and traditions related to the longest and most significant celebration in the Chinese calendar.

Happy lunar new year 2021