The History of Chinese New Year 2026: Origins and Interesting Facts about the Festival

Chinese New Year 2026 Chinese New Year 2026 falls on Sunday, 15 February. It is one of the most important days for people of Chinese descent worldwide, marking the Chinese New Year with celebrations lasting many days. Thairath Online invites you to explore the history of Chinese New Year, popular customs, and interesting facts about the festival.

A brief history and origin of Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year There is no exact record of when it began, but it is believed to have ancient origins. The festival is held to celebrate the spring season after enduring a long period of snow and cold that made farming impossible. The first day of spring represents the new year, signaling a time to resume abundant agricultural activities. The Chinese celebrate for 15 days, gathering with family to share meals and worship gods and ancestors to seek blessings and good fortune for the year ahead.

The three-day Chinese New Year celebration in Thailand

Traditionally, Chinese New Year celebrations last 15 days, but there are three key days observed mainly as follows.

Chinese New Year's Eve shopping day

Chinese New Year's Eve shopping day falls on 15 February this year. Thai people of Chinese descent go out to buy offerings to prepare for rituals, including auspicious foods both savory and sweet, as well as fruits.

Chinese New Year's Eve worship day

Chinese New Year's Eve worship day 2025 On 16 February, early morning rituals involve worshipping the gods known as 'Lao Yi' tablets. Later in the morning, worship is done for ancestors known as 'Pae Bo' tablets. In the afternoon, offerings are made to deceased siblings, called 'Ho Hia Ti' tablets.

Chinese New Year day

Chinese New Year day or the New Year's Day falls on 17 February. Traditional activities include paying respects and offering blessings to elders, visiting relatives, and sharing meals with family members.

What offerings are made during Chinese New Year and their meanings?

Chinese New Year offerings typically include three to five types of meat, dried foods, vegetarian dishes, fruits, and auspicious sweets. Popular offerings include the following.

• Chicken symbolizes dignity and honor.
• Duck represents versatile abilities.
• Fish signifies abundance.
• Pork denotes abundance.
• Squid stands for abundance.
• Peanut candy symbolizes money.
• Sticky rice cakes represent sweetness and joy.
• Egg cakes signify prosperity.
• Cupcakes or Chinese melon cakes symbolize flourishing and growth.
• Steamed buns or mantou represent wrapped fortune.
• Sticky rice dumplings symbolize lasting happiness.
• Noodles signify longevity.
• Lotus seeds represent having many sons.
• Black seaweed symbolizes wealth.
• Bamboo shoots convey wishes for well-being.
• Oranges represent good fortune.
• Persimmons signify overcoming obstacles smoothly.
• Apples symbolize peace and happiness.
• Pineapple stands for good luck.
• Dragon fruit represents power and abundance.

Popular activities during Chinese New Year

Popular traditions passed down through generations during the Chinese New Year festival include the following.

• Worshipping gods and ancestors.
• Gathering family on the eve to eat dumplings together. Dumplings resemble money, symbolizing wealth and prosperity.
• Speaking only positive words and smiling throughout the day, believed to attract good fortune.
• Performing the ritual to welcome the God of Wealth, 'Cai Shen Ye', on the eve, as it is believed to bring luck into one’s life.
• Wearing bright or new clothes, especially auspicious colors.Auspicious-colored clothingOn Chinese New Year day.
• Eating vegetarian food in the first meal of the New Year.
• Younger family members receive red envelopes from elders and must say "Xin Jia Yu Yi, Xin Ni Huo Shi" as a blessing in return.
• Offering four oranges as a blessing to elders.
• Hanging 'Tui Liang' or auspicious New Year greetings.
• Decorating with red ornaments.

10 Chinese New Year 2026 taboos: What not to do

Since Chinese New Year is a highly important and auspicious day, there are beliefs about avoiding 10 taboos to enhance good fortune and blessings throughout the year, as follows.

• Do not clean the house.
• Do not use foul language or argue with others.
• Do not wash hair or cut hair.
• Do not give red envelopes with an odd number amount.
• Do not eat rice porridge.
• Do not use sharp objects.
• Do not wear white or black clothes.
• Do not wash clothes.
• Do not lend money.
• Do not break things.
• Do not buy new pairs of shoes.
• Do not cry.

. The history of Chinese New Year Although its exact origins are unclear, Chinese New Year is an important day with long-standing customs and taboos observed to bring blessings and good fortune in life.

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