Chinese New Year in Philippines

Posted by CelebrateZone.com on Thu, May 11, 2023

Chinese New Year in Philippines

Chinese New Year is a holiday in Philippines.

When is Chinese New Year in Philippines

Chinese New Year is celebrated on 22, January, 2023 in Philippines.

About Chinese New Year in Philippines

The Chinese New Year holiday in the Philippines is a festive celebration that is widely observed by the Filipino-Chinese community. It usually falls between late January and mid-February, depending on the lunar calendar.

During this holiday, the streets are decorated with red lanterns and banners, symbolizing good luck and prosperity. People wear red clothes and exchange red envelopes filled with money as a sign of good fortune.

One of the most popular traditions during the Chinese New Year in the Philippines is the dragon and lion dance. These dances are performed by dancers wearing colorful costumes and masks, accompanied by the sound of drums and cymbals.

Another popular tradition is the “tikoy” or sticky rice cake. It is believed that eating tikoy during the Chinese New Year brings good luck and prosperity.

Overall, the Chinese New Year holiday in the Philippines is a time for family gatherings, feasting, and celebrating the start of a new year with good luck and fortune.

History of Chinese New Year in Philippines

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, has been celebrated in the Philippines for centuries. The holiday is widely observed by the Chinese-Filipino community, which comprises around 1.5% of the total population of the country.

The Chinese New Year holiday in the Philippines has a complex history, reflecting the long-standing cultural and economic ties between China and the Philippines. The holiday is believed to have been introduced to the Philippines by Chinese traders and merchants who settled in the country during the pre-colonial era.

During the Spanish colonial period, the Chinese community in the Philippines was subjected to discrimination and persecution, and the celebration of Chinese New Year was banned. However, after the Philippines gained independence in 1946, the government recognized the cultural significance of the holiday and lifted the ban.

Today, Chinese New Year is a widely celebrated public holiday in the Philippines. It is marked by colorful parades, dragon and lion dances, fireworks displays, and traditional Chinese food and drinks. Many Filipino-Chinese families also observe traditional customs and rituals, such as cleaning the house to sweep away bad luck and offering sacrifices to ancestors.

In recent years, the Philippine government has actively promoted the celebration of Chinese New Year as a way to foster cultural exchange and strengthen ties with China. In 2012, the government declared Chinese New Year as a special non-working holiday, recognizing its importance to the Filipino-Chinese community and the country as a whole.

How is Chinese New Year celebrated in Philippines

Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is celebrated in the Philippines by the Filipino-Chinese community. Here are some of the ways it is celebrated:

  1. Lion and Dragon Dance: Lion and dragon dance performances are common during Chinese New Year. These dances are believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.

  2. Red decorations: Red is considered a lucky color in Chinese culture, so it is common to see red decorations during the festival. Red lanterns, banners, and other decorations are put up in homes and businesses.

  3. Family gatherings: Chinese New Year is a time for families to come together and celebrate. Many families have a big feast on New Year’s Eve and exchange gifts.

  4. Fireworks: Fireworks are a big part of Chinese New Year celebrations in the Philippines. Many people set off fireworks to welcome the new year and scare away evil spirits.

  5. Giving red envelopes: It is common for adults to give red envelopes filled with money to children during Chinese New Year. This is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the children.

  6. Traditional food: Traditional Chinese food is also a big part of the celebrations. Dumplings, rice cakes, and noodles are popular dishes during the festival.

Dates

Chinese New Year will be celebrated in Philippines on 2023-01-22 2024-02-10 2025-01-29 2026-02-17 2027-02-06 in the comming years.