Chinese culture & festivals

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The Spring Festival is also called Chinese New Year. It celebrates the start of spring and a new year on the traditional calendar. Families gather to eat yummy food and wish each other good luck.

Red is the lucky color for the New Year. People hang bright red lanterns outside their homes. The color red represents energy, wealth, and joy. It is also thought to scare away bad luck!

Children receive special red envelopes called 'hongbao'. Inside, there is lucky money from older family members. When you receive one, it is polite to say thank you with kind wishes.

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✏️ Worked example

Imagine you are visiting your friend's family for Chinese New Year. Your friend's grandmother hands you a red envelope. How do you accept it politely?

First, stand up straight and show respect to the elder.
Next, reach out and accept the red envelope using both of your hands.
Then, look at the grandmother with a warm smile.
Finally, say 'Xin Nian Kuai Le' which means 'Happy New Year' in Mandarin, and say thank you!

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