The lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, so the dates of the holiday vary slightly from year to year, beginning some time between January 21 and February 20 according to Western calendars.
Approximately 10 days before the beginning of the new lunar year, houses are thoroughly cleaned to remove any bad luck that might be lingering inside, a custom called “sweeping of the grounds.” Traditionally, New Year’s eve and New Year’s day are reserved for family celebrations, including religious ceremonies honouring ancestors. Also on New Year’s day, family members receive red envelopes (lai see) containing small amounts of money. Dances and fireworks are prevalent throughout the holidays, culminating in the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated on the last day of the New Year’s celebrations. On this night colourful lanterns light up the houses, and traditional foods such as yuanxiao (sticky rice balls that symbolize family unity), fagao (prosperity cake), and yusheng (raw fish and vegetable salad) are served.
Crowds gathered Saturday in front of Raffi Jewellers inside of Conestoga Mall as the business ushered in the Lunar New Year with a traditional lion dance performance.
"The lion dance is a performance for the business and the mall itself," said Wallace Chu of Raffi Jewellers. "It will really bring in the prosperity, the wealth, and health of the business and its people."
It marked the second time Raffi Jewellers has hosted the event, and hopes that the year ahead will be the most successful yet.
"They say that the rabbit itself in our Chinese culture is the luckiest animal within the 12 animals in our cycle," said Chu.
2023 will be the year of the rabbit, which is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture.
Lunar New Year begins on Sunday and is also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year. It Marks the first day of the New Year in the Chinese calendar.