Studying the Traditions in China Can Teach Us About Our Own

The traditions of distant countries are often interesting to many people. Simply knowing that people live in such different ways than our own can be fascinating. Such knowledge can lead to a better understanding of our own cultures. Traditions in China are far different than in most Western-oriented countries, but they can help us understand and appreciate the Chinese way of living.

Chinese New Year

For example, many people do not fully understand the Chinese New Year. While they can see without difficulty that it happens at a different time of the year, they may not know why that is. Perhaps they have seen Chinese dragons, but have no idea what they represent. Understanding traditions in China such as the Chinese New Year provides a context for understanding one’s own traditions as well.

Unlike the Western calendar, the Chinese New Year varies depending on the phases of the moon. As such, the date varies but typically falls sometime in the end of January or beginning of February.  Chinese New Year is one of the oldest traditions in China and is now the longest festivity in the Chinese holiday calendar.

Fireworks often accompany traditions in China like the New Year.  They are often quite impressive and in the past consisted of a bamboo and gunpowder.  Today red fireworks in smaller tubes are common on such occasions. While they have been outlawed in some places that honor the Chinese New Year, they are still quite popular in most of China.

Marriage and Gift Giving

The events include many interesting traditions. Married couples and older persons often hand out red envelopes. Younger people, including unmarried adults and children, receive them. The envelopes typically contain money ranging from very small to rather large amounts.  Some may even be small fortunes to their receivers. The amount of money is nearly always even, as odd numbers are typically associated with unfortunate events rather than happy ones. Traditions in China, like giving red envelopes and gifts, have close parallels in Western cultures and may be familiar to many people.

Traditions in China are as common to the Chinese as our habits are to us. Yet looking at them as diversity can be a healthy practice that teaches us to consider how our habits must seem different to them as well.