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Called: Lunar New Year Duration: 15 days
Celebrated by: Chinese and Taoists
Attractions: Lion Dance, Amazing Fireworks
Amongst the Chinese, the Chinese New Year is the most important annual festival which is observed with many rituals and customs. Lasts for complete 2 weeks, Chinese New Year is celebrated with high spirits in Malaysia too. It is celebrated according to the Chinese Lunar Calendar that was invented around 300 BC. Also known as Lunar New Year, it falls usually in the month of January or February. The celebrations continue for 15 days, but the main rituals are performed during the first three days.
Arrangements for the festival start quite early, when people clean and decorate their houses and bring gifts for their dear & near ones. The color 'Red' which symbolizes prosperity and luck is used liberally in decorations because it is considered to ward off evil spirits. On the eve of Chinese New Year, glittering fireworks make the sky simply dazzling. Usually, families and friends arrange a joint dinner on the eve to greet the New Year.
Youngsters pay a visit to their relatives and friends, and are given 'ang paus' that is actually a red packet containing lucky money. 'Ang paus' is believed to bring prosperity and success. As per the beliefs and traditions, Chinese New Year is the occasion when spirits appear and offerings are made to the Gods. On the big day, the conventional dragon and lion dances are performed together with banging gongs, drums and cymbals. People wear new clothes and eat Mandarin Orange to welcome the New Year.
Chingay Parade catches the attention of everyone with its festive mood, where you can trace stilt walkers, acrobatic performances and lion and dragon dances. At this time, many hotels and shopping complexes arrange performances by eminent artists to entertain their guests. Chinese New Year is amongst few festivals, which is observed throughout the world. In Malaysia, Penang is a great place to observe and enjoy the celebrations of Chinese New Year.