As one of the most significant festivals in Hong Kong, the Chinese New Year brings families and communities together through a series of cherished customs that welcome luck, happiness, and prosperity. Whether celebrating at home or across the city's vibrant neighbourhoods, understanding these traditions offers a meaningful way to step into the new year.
Home cleaning for renewed energy
Before the New Year arrives, households engage in thorough spring cleaning. This ritual represents more than tidiness; it is believed to sweep away any residual misfortune from the previous year, creating a harmonious space for new blessings and abundance to enter.
A fresh start with new attire
A common practice during the Chinese New Year is wearing new clothing, symbolising a break from the past and a hopeful beginning. Many opt for red garments—a colour long associated with good fortune and positive energy—to invite auspicious vibes into the year ahead.
The chuen hap: A tray of togetherness
No Chinese New Year visit is complete without the chuen hap, a special snack box central to hosting guests. Designed with an odd number of compartments—each filled with symbolic treats—it embodies unity and perfection. Traditional items include candied lotus seeds (for wishing for offspring), winter melon candy (for a smooth year), and savoury delights such as melon seeds, sesame balls, and yau gok (deep-fried dumplings), all representing prosperity and joy.
Reunion dinner: Feasting on fortune
On New Year's Eve, families gather for a lavish reunion meal. Classic dishes such as poon choi—a layered Cantonese casserole brimming with auspicious ingredients—take centre stage, alongside prosperity-linked foods like black moss (fat choy) and dried oysters, reinforcing hopes for wealth and togetherness.
Sharing Blessings with Lai See
The exchange of lai see (red packets) remains a deeply rooted custom. Married individuals, elders, and employers present these envelopes containing "lucky money" to convey good wishes for the coming year. Children often place them under their pillows, a practice thought to safeguard health and ward off negative spirits.
Looking ahead to the Year of the Horse in 2026, we wish everyone a joyful and prosperous Chinese New Year filled with strength, vitality, and good fortune. May the spirit of the horse inspire you to gallop towards your dreams and achieve great success in the coming year!
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