Is every January 1st considered "Yuan Dan"?
Nowadays, "Yuan Dan" is the same as the "New Year" celebrated by most countries around the world, referring to the first day of the new Gregorian year. However, in ancient times, "Yuan Dan" referred to the first day of the first lunar month. The modern "Yuan Dan" is different from the ancient one.
Setting "Yuan Dan" on January 1st of the Gregorian calendar originated during the Republic of China period in 1912. In 1949, the People's Republic of China officially established it as the first day of the Gregorian year, so the current "Yuan Dan" in China is also called "Yang Li Nian".
Setting "Yuan Dan" on January 1st of the Gregorian calendar originated during the Republic of China period in 1912. In 1949, the People's Republic of China officially established it as the first day of the Gregorian year, so the current "Yuan Dan" in China is also called "Yang Li Nian".
Differences in customs between the north and south regions for celebrating "Yuan Dan"
[Customs in the South]
In the southern regions, the customs of "Yuan Dan" are more refined. In the Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas, people tie bamboo sticks to grass and burn them, which is called "Qing Tian Can". In Shaoxing, they use "Tea Bowl Tea" to entertain guests, sometimes adding olives and golden tangerines, which is called "Peng Yuan Bao".
In Fujian, the pronunciation of "Chun" (spring) is similar to "Sheng" (remain), so during the New Year's Day meal, people place red paper flowers on the rice, known as "Chun Fan". "Chun Fan" symbolizes "having surplus every year". In Guangdong, during the New Year's Day greetings, elders give red envelopes or mandarin oranges to younger generations, which also represents auspiciousness and the expectation of surplus in the coming year.
[Customs in the North]
New Year's Day is a day of celebration. In northern regions, the winter is very cold. Starting from New Year's Day, every household begins to slaughter pigs and sheep, sit on warm beds, chat about family matters, don't work, and don't go out until the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Due to the cold weather, the food consumed during New Year's Day in Northeast China mainly consists of frozen foods, pickled vegetables, and mixed stews. Frozen dumplings, sour cabbage with vermicelli, and pickled mustard greens are all essential foods for New Year's Day.
In Beijing, children traditionally eat ice sugar hawthorn, which is a string of red ones, symbolizing a prosperous new year. In terms of folk customs: Yangge dance, high heels, and Errenzhuan performances by Northeastern artists will be continuously performed at temple fairs. In Tianjin, people cut window decorations and paste couplets, and there are various cultural activities. In Shandong, students pay homage to the image of Confucius on New Year's Day, hoping for success in the coming year.
In the southern regions, the customs of "Yuan Dan" are more refined. In the Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas, people tie bamboo sticks to grass and burn them, which is called "Qing Tian Can". In Shaoxing, they use "Tea Bowl Tea" to entertain guests, sometimes adding olives and golden tangerines, which is called "Peng Yuan Bao".
In Fujian, the pronunciation of "Chun" (spring) is similar to "Sheng" (remain), so during the New Year's Day meal, people place red paper flowers on the rice, known as "Chun Fan". "Chun Fan" symbolizes "having surplus every year". In Guangdong, during the New Year's Day greetings, elders give red envelopes or mandarin oranges to younger generations, which also represents auspiciousness and the expectation of surplus in the coming year.
[Customs in the North]
New Year's Day is a day of celebration. In northern regions, the winter is very cold. Starting from New Year's Day, every household begins to slaughter pigs and sheep, sit on warm beds, chat about family matters, don't work, and don't go out until the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Due to the cold weather, the food consumed during New Year's Day in Northeast China mainly consists of frozen foods, pickled vegetables, and mixed stews. Frozen dumplings, sour cabbage with vermicelli, and pickled mustard greens are all essential foods for New Year's Day.
In Beijing, children traditionally eat ice sugar hawthorn, which is a string of red ones, symbolizing a prosperous new year. In terms of folk customs: Yangge dance, high heels, and Errenzhuan performances by Northeastern artists will be continuously performed at temple fairs. In Tianjin, people cut window decorations and paste couplets, and there are various cultural activities. In Shandong, students pay homage to the image of Confucius on New Year's Day, hoping for success in the coming year.
