Spring Festival Etiquette Mind Map (English)

Central Idea: Spring Festival Etiquette

I. Pre-Festival Preparations (Preparing for the Reunion)

• A. Cleaning & Decorating (迎新除旧):

  • 1. Thorough cleaning of the house (彻底清洁房屋): Dusting, sweeping, mopping - symbolizes removing bad luck and welcoming prosperity. Emphasis on "spring cleaning" mentality.
  • 2. Decorating with red (红色装饰): Lanterns (灯笼), couplets (春联), paper cuttings (剪纸) – red symbolizes good fortune and happiness. Placement is important (e.g., couplets flanking the doorway).
  • 3. Placing upside-down "Fu" character (倒贴“福”字): Symbolizes good luck arriving ("Fu" sounds like "Dao," meaning upside down and arriving). Doorways are the typical location.
  • 4. Displaying blooming plants (摆放鲜花): Plum blossoms (梅花), orchids (兰花), peach blossoms (桃花) – represent new beginnings and good fortune. Consider their symbolic meaning.
  • 5. Hanging Chinese knots (挂中国结): Symbolize prosperity, longevity, and unity. Varying sizes and complexities available.

• B. Shopping for New Year's Goods (办年货):

  • 1. Food: Essential ingredients for Spring Festival meals (饺子, 春卷, 年糕, 鱼). Specific ingredients vary regionally.
  • 2. Gifts: Consider the recipient's age, relationship, and preferences. Avoid giving clocks (钟, sounds like "end") or sharp objects (cutting ties). Fruit baskets, teas, and confectionery are generally safe options.
  • 3. New clothes (新衣服): Wearing new clothes symbolizes a fresh start. Traditionally red is favored, but modern trends allow for more variety.
  • 4. Firecrackers & Fireworks (鞭炮焰火): Important for warding off evil spirits (traditionally). Check local regulations and exercise extreme caution.
  • 5. Red envelopes (红包): Preparing cash-filled red envelopes for children and unmarried relatives.

• C. Travel Arrangements (出行安排):

  • 1. Booking tickets in advance: High demand during the Spring Festival travel rush (春运). Plane, train, and bus tickets should be secured well ahead of time.
  • 2. Packing essentials: Clothing suitable for the weather, gifts for family, and personal necessities.
  • 3. Notifying family of arrival time: Communicate your travel plans clearly to avoid confusion and ensure a smooth arrival.

II. During the Festival (The Reunion Feast & Traditions)

• A. New Year's Eve Dinner (除夕年夜饭):

  • 1. Family reunion (阖家团圆): The most important aspect of the dinner is being together with family.
  • 2. Abundant food (丰盛的食物): Symbolizes prosperity for the coming year. Dishes often have symbolic meanings (e.g., fish for abundance, dumplings for wealth).
  • 3. Specific Dishes & Their Meanings (菜肴及其寓意):
       • Dumplings (饺子): Wealth, shaped like ancient Chinese money.
       • Spring Rolls (春卷): Wealth, resembling gold bars.
       • Fish (鱼): Abundance and surplus.
       • Noodles (面条): Longevity.
       • Tangyuan (汤圆): Family togetherness and completeness.
       • Nian Gao (年糕): Progress and improvement in the coming year.
  • 4. Toasting and offering blessings (敬酒祝福): Expressing good wishes for the new year. Elders are typically toasted first.

• B. New Year's Day (正月初一):

  • 1. Visiting elders (拜年): Visiting relatives and friends to offer New Year's greetings. Respectful greetings and well wishes are essential.
  • 2. Giving red envelopes (发红包): Giving red envelopes filled with money to children and unmarried relatives. The amount is typically even-numbered, as odd numbers are associated with funerals.
  • 3. Lion and dragon dances (舞龙舞狮): Traditional performances believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.
  • 4. Avoiding certain activities (避免某些活动): Cleaning, washing hair, using scissors, and arguing are traditionally avoided on New Year's Day to prevent bad luck.

• C. Subsequent Days of the Festival (节日后续):

  • 1. Continuing to visit relatives and friends (继续拜访亲友): The visiting period can last for several days, depending on regional customs.
  • 2. Attending temple fairs (逛庙会): Enjoying traditional performances, food stalls, and games at temple fairs.
  • 3. Lighting lanterns (赏花灯): On the fifteenth day (Lantern Festival), lighting lanterns is a key activity.

III. Etiquette Considerations (Respect & Harmony)

• A. Greetings and Blessings (问候与祝福):

  • 1. "Xin Nian Kuai Le" (新年快乐): Happy New Year.
  • 2. "Gong Xi Fa Cai" (恭喜发财): Wishing you prosperity.
  • 3. "Shen Ti Jian Kang" (身体健康): Wishing you good health.
  • 4. Adjusting greetings based on age and relationship: More formal greetings are used for elders.
  • 5. Using appropriate gestures (e.g., slightly bowing when greeting elders).

• B. Gift-Giving Etiquette (送礼礼仪):

  • 1. Presenting gifts with both hands: Showing respect.
  • 2. Refusing a gift initially (but accepting after a few polite refusals): A common custom.
  • 3. Giving gifts in even numbers (avoiding odd numbers, especially 4, which sounds like "death").
  • 4. Wrapping gifts in red or gold paper.
  • 5. Being mindful of the recipient's preferences and avoiding taboo gifts.

• C. Dining Etiquette (用餐礼仪):

  • 1. Seating arrangements: Elders and honored guests are typically seated first and given the best seats.
  • 2. Using chopsticks correctly: Avoid sticking chopsticks upright in rice (resembles incense for the deceased).
  • 3. Serving others before yourself: Showing consideration.
  • 4. Avoiding wasting food: Taking only what you can eat.
  • 5. Toasting etiquette: Holding your glass lower than the elder's glass when toasting.

• D. Communication Etiquette (沟通礼仪):

  • 1. Speaking respectfully to elders: Using honorifics and avoiding interrupting.
  • 2. Listening attentively: Showing respect for the speaker.
  • 3. Avoiding controversial topics: Maintaining a harmonious atmosphere.
  • 4. Being mindful of cultural differences: Especially important when interacting with people from different backgrounds.

IV. Taboos (禁忌)

• A. Avoiding Negative Language (避免消极语言):

  • 1. Avoiding mentioning death, sickness, or misfortune.
  • 2. Refraining from arguing or complaining.

• B. Prohibited Activities on Specific Days (特定日期的禁忌活动):

  • 1. No cleaning on New Year's Day: Sweeping away good luck.
  • 2. No washing hair on New Year's Day: Washing away good fortune.
  • 3. No borrowing money during the Spring Festival: Sign of financial hardship for the year.

• C. Gift-Giving Taboos (送礼禁忌):

  • 1. Clocks (钟, sounds like "end").
  • 2. Sharp objects (scissors, knives - cutting ties).
  • 3. White flowers (associated with funerals).
  • 4. Mirrors (easily broken, symbol of fragmentation).
  • 5. Sandals (association with mourning).

V. Regional Variations (地区差异)

• A. Food Preferences (食物偏好): Dumplings are more common in the North, while Spring Rolls and Tangyuan are more prevalent in the South.
• B. Customs and Traditions (风俗习惯): Specific customs and traditions vary from region to region. For example, some regions emphasize setting off firecrackers more than others.
• C. Dialect and Language (方言和语言): Greeting phrases and expressions may differ based on the local dialect.

VI. Modern Adaptations (现代调整)

• A. Online Greetings and Red Envelopes (线上祝福和红包): Using WeChat, Alipay, and other platforms to send greetings and digital red envelopes.
• B. Sustainable Celebrations (可持续庆祝): Reducing firecracker usage and waste.
• C. Balancing Tradition and Modernity (平衡传统与现代): Adapting traditions to fit modern lifestyles.