Millions of people across Asia and the rest of the world have been welcoming in the Chinese New Year on the 10th February.
Chinese New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays
A plea by the government to set off fewer fireworks due to Beijing’s air pollution seemed to fall on deaf ears. Instead amazing midnight firework displays in Beijing marked the start of the Year of the Snake.
Traditions associated with Chinese New Year
Firecrackers are believed to scare off evil spirits and entice the god of wealth to people’s doorsteps once New Year’s Day arrives.
Crying on New Year’s Day means you will cry for the rest of the year, and washing your hair signifies washing away good luck.
Finally bad luck for those who clean on new year’s day, as you will be sweeping away good fortune in the year ahead.
For many Chinese people, this is their only holiday of the year and many people take the time to go away. It is estimated that about half of Beijing’s population of 20 million have left the city for the holiday.
