The Chinese New Year is the most important traditional festival for Chinese people and the festival with the most cultural connotations. The New Year is not only a time node on the calendar, but also a cultural phenomenon rich in symbolic significance, reflecting the values, ways of thinking and emotional expression of the Chinese people. This article will explore the cultural psychology behind the Chinese New Year from three aspects.
1. Chinese New Year and Ancestor Worship
The origin of the Chinese New Year can be traced back to ancient sacrificial activities. In ancient China, people believed that the souls of their ancestors could protect the health of future generations, so they worshiped their ancestors every year on New Year’s Eve, the last day of the lunar calendar, to express their reverence and gratitude to them. This kind of sacrificial activity, also known as ‘Sacrifice to the New Year’ or ‘Sui Chu’, is an important part of the Chinese New Year.
Ancestor worship embodies the Chinese people’s cultural psychology of family affection and filial piety. Chinese people believe that the family is an indivisible whole, and blood relationships must be maintained regardless of life or death. Therefore, during the Chinese New Year, people will return to their hometowns, reunite with their families, and worship their ancestors together to show their loyalty to their ancestors and their kindness to their families. This behavior of returning to the family is also called ‘returning to one’s parents’ home’ or ‘celebrating the New Year’.
2. Chinese New Year and Yin Yang and Five Elements
The time of the New Year is also related to the ancient Chinese thought of Yin Yang and Five Elements. Yin-Yang and the Five Elements are an ancient Chinese philosophy and cosmology. It believes that all things are composed of the two opposing and interdependent forces of Yin and Yang, as well as the five basic elements of metal, wood, water, fire and earth. A dynamic balance. Yin Yang and the five elements are also used to explain changes in nature and the destiny of mankind.
The time of celebrating the New Year is determined based on the theory of Yin Yang and Five Elements. In ancient China, people believed that there were four seasons in a year, each season had three months, and each month had fifteen days. Therefore, there were twenty-four solar terms in a year, and each solar term had a five-element attribute. Among them, the winter solstice is the most yin day of the year, while the beginning of spring is the yangst day of the year. Therefore, the time between the winter solstice and the beginning of spring is the period of alternation of yin and yang, and it is also the end and beginning of the year. Therefore, the time for celebrating the New Year is set on the last day of the first month after the winter solstice, which is New Year’s Eve, and the first day of the second month, which is the first day of the first lunar month.
The time of the New Year reflects the Chinese people’s cultural psychology of ‘harmony’ and ‘flexibility’. The Chinese believe that Yin-Yang and the Five Elements are natural laws, and humans should follow nature instead of going against it. Therefore, the time for celebrating the New Year is not fixed, but changes according to the changes of yin and yang and the five elements to achieve harmony between man and nature. At the same time, the time for celebrating the New Year is not absolute, but relative, because the Yin, Yang and Five Elements are a dynamic balance rather than a static opposition. Therefore, the time of celebrating the New Year can also be changed according to the actual situation to meet people’s needs.
3. Chinese New Year and auspicious meanings
The custom of celebrating the New Year is also related to the auspicious meaning of ancient China. In ancient China, people believed that the New Year was a new beginning and an opportunity to pray for good luck. Therefore, during the New Year, people would use various ways to express their best wishes and blessings. These methods include various symbols, patterns, colors, sounds, food, gifts, etc., all of which have specific auspicious meanings.
The auspicious meaning embodies the Chinese people’s most optimistic and most creative cultural psychology. Chinese people believe that the Chinese New Year is a time full of hope, and people should seize the opportunity to welcome the new year with a positive attitude. Therefore, during the Chinese New Year, people will use various imaginative and creative ways to express their wishes and blessings to increase their luck and happiness. These methods also reflect the diversity and uniqueness of Chinese culture. For example, during the Chinese New Year, people will affix various auspicious couplets, blessing characters, window grilles, etc. to decorate the doors and windows of their homes to show happiness and beauty. These couplets, Chinese characters ‘福’ and window grilles all have rich meanings and stories, reflecting the language and artistic talent of the Chinese people. Another example is that during the Chinese New Year, people will set off firecrackers, perform lion dances, dragon dances, etc. to drive away evil spirits and attract wealth to show excitement and good luck. These firecrackers, lion dances, and dragon dances all have long histories and legends, reflecting the bravery and wisdom of the Chinese people.
Conclusion
The Chinese New Year is a festival full of cultural psychology. It reflects the Chinese people’s values and ways of thinking such as family affection, filial piety, harmony, flexibility, optimism, and creativity. It also showcases the Chinese people’s language, art, philosophy, cosmology and other cultural characteristics. The Chinese New Year is not only a festival to celebrate the New Year, but also a festival to inherit culture. I hope this article can give you a deeper understanding and feeling about the Chinese New Year. I also wish you a happy New Year and all the best!
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