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The News Lens
Stellina Chen

ILLUSTRATION: Out with the Old, In with the New

Photo Credit: Stellina Chen
CNY_traditions_1
Photo Credit: Stellina Chen

1. Red envelopes, or "hongbao," are presented during CNY, usually containing money that symbolizes good luck.

2. Mahjong is a tile-based game that originated in China during the Qing dynasty. It's commonly played by four players, and families gather to play during CNY. It’s also a chance to win extra money if you are good at it.

3. Firecrackers, or "bianpao," are used to scare off evil spirits in the traditional Chinese culture. 

4. Spring couplets, or "chunlian," are Chinese characters written on red paper in either black or gold. They are usually done in pairs to express people’s hopes for a better life in the coming year.    

5. House cleaning. People carry out a thorough cleaning of their houses, representing a wish to put away old things and welcome a whole new year.  

 

Editor: Olivia Yang

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