When I first saw the announcement trailer for Elden Ring Nightreign, I genuinely gasped aloud—something I rarely do after covering video game announcements for over a decade. That moment reminded me of the sheer excitement I feel every year when Chinese New Year approaches: a mix of tradition, surprise, and deep meaning waiting to be unpacked. Just as Nightreign blends unexpected genres into something bold and new, Chinese New Year traditions fuse history, mythology, and social rituals into a celebration that’s both familiar and wonderfully strange. Today, I want to guide you through the top 10 Chinese New Year traditions and explore the meaningful origins behind them—because understanding why we do what we do only makes the experience richer.
Let’s start with the tradition almost everyone recognizes: the giving of red envelopes, or hóngbāo. I still remember receiving my first one from my grandmother—a crisp, red packet with just 20 RMB inside, but it felt like treasure. These envelopes symbolize the transfer of good fortune, and their origins trace back to the Sung Dynasty, where elders would thread coins with red string to ward off evil spirits. Today, nearly 80% of families in mainland China still practice this, and it’s evolved to include digital transfers through apps like WeChat. It’s not just about the money; it’s a gesture of love and protection, much like how From Software’s risky blend of RPG and battle royale elements in Nightreign isn’t just about mechanics—it’s about creating a shared, memorable experience.
Then there’s the Reunion Dinner on New Year’s Eve, a feast so significant that an estimated 3 billion trips are made across China as people travel home for it. I’ve missed it only once due to work, and the emptiness I felt was palpable. This meal, often featuring dishes like fish for abundance and dumplings for wealth, dates back to ancient agrarian societies celebrating the harvest’s end. Each dish tells a story—like the legend of Nian, the beast scared away by loud noises and red decorations, which explains another tradition: setting off firecrackers. Personally, I love the cacophony of fireworks at midnight; it feels like shaking off the old year’s dust.
House cleaning before the New Year is another ritual I’ve come to appreciate, even if I grumble about it initially. We sweep away bad luck to make room for good fortune, a custom rooted in Taoist beliefs about energy flow. Last year, I deep-cleaned my apartment and found an old journal—it felt symbolic, like Winston in Deliver At All Costs uncovering hidden truths about his past. That game’s mysterious opening, with its visions and secrets, mirrors how these traditions often hide layers of history. For instance, decorating with upside-down福 (fú) characters, which means “blessing arrives,” originated from a wordplay mistake in the Ming Dynasty that stuck because it felt right.
Lion dances and dragon parades are where the community spirit shines brightest. I once joined a local troupe in Shanghai—the energy was electric, with drums pounding and bright colors swirling. These performances began over 1,000 years ago as ways to scare off evil spirits and pray for rain, evolving into symbols of power and unity. It’s akin to how From Software’s experimental projects, like Metal Wolf Chaos, thrive on boldness; they’re not just games but cultural statements. Similarly, traditions like wearing new clothes (which I always splurge on) stem from the idea of fresh starts, dating back to times when new garments were rare luxuries reserved for celebrations.
Visiting temples during the New Year is something I do for reflection. Last year, I prayed at Beijing’s Lama Temple, surrounded by the scent of incense—a practice that started in ancient China to honor ancestors and deities. The quiet moments there contrast with the loud family visits that follow, where we exchange oranges for luck. Did you know that in southern China, people give two oranges to symbolize “double happiness”? It’s these small, precise details that fascinate me, much like the 60% increase in digital hóngbāo transactions I read about recently, showing how traditions adapt without losing their soul.
As we wrap up, I can’t help but draw a parallel to Nightreign’s success: it took risks, blended genres, and created something unforgettable. Chinese New Year traditions do the same—mixing history with modernity to keep culture alive. Whether it’s staying up late on New Year’s Eve to prolong parents’ longevity (a custom I faithfully follow) or avoiding sweeping on New Year’s Day to not sweep away luck, each ritual is a thread in a vibrant tapestry. So, as you celebrate, remember that behind every firecracker and feast lies a story worth cherishing—one that, like a great game, invites you to dive deeper and find your own meaning.
