Chinese New Year 2025, beginning on Wednesday, January 29th and marking the start of the Year of the Snake, is the most important holiday in China and has a significant impact on business operations and the supply chain.
During this period, most businesses, including factories and logistics providers, will shut down completely to allow employees to travel home and celebrate with their families. Official public holidays are observed from January 28th to February 4th; however, many businesses extend their closures, often pausing operations for 2–3 weeks. This means production schedules and shipping services may be significantly affected during and after the holiday period.
Additionally, we’d like to take this opportunity to share a little insight into the rich traditions and celebrations of Chinese New Year. Below, you’ll find a brief overview of the customs and cultural significance of this festive season.
The Spring Festival marks the beginning of the Chinese lunar new year and usually falls between January 21st and February 20th on the Gregorian calendar.
春节标志着中国农历新年的开始,通常在公历 1 月 21 日至 2 月 20 日之间。
2025, the year of snake, begins on January 29th. In the Chinese zodiac, the Snake is a symbol of wisdom and subtlety. It’s the sixth animal in the cycle, bringing a mix of mystery and intelligence.
2025年1月29日是正月初一,象征着蛇年正式开始。在中国的十二生肖中,蛇是智慧和微妙的象征。它是周期中的第六个动物,带来了神秘和智慧的混合体。
People born in the Year of the Snake are believed to be charming and intuitive. They are often associated with the ability to handle complex situations with grace. So, when you think of snakes, remember they are not just slithery creatures, but also bearers of wisdom and change.
出生在蛇年的人被认为具有魅力和直觉。他们通常与能够优雅地处理复杂情况的能力联系在一起。所以,当你想到蛇时,要记住它们不仅仅是滑行的生物,也是智慧和变化的承载者。
During the Spring Festival, people engage in various celebratory activities, including family reunions, put on spring couplets, flowers and lantern appreciation, setting off firecrackers, and having a reunion dinner.
春节期间,人们会进行各种庆祝活动,包括家庭团聚、贴春联、赏花观灯、放鞭炮、吃年夜饭等。
Spring couplets are traditional decorations during the Spring Festival. It usually consists of a pair of antithetical phrases with auspicious blessings such as “good fortune,” “spring,” “reunion,” etc. People paste spring couplets before and after the Spring Festival to pray for peace and good fortune in the new year.
春联是春节期间的传统装饰物,通常由对联组成,写有吉祥如意的祝福语,如“福”、“春”、“团圆”等。人们会在春节前后贴上春联,以祈求新的一年平安吉祥。春联的贴在门楣上,是为了驱邪避灾,也是对新一年的美好期许。
As for the most important part, it is the reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve. Family members gathering for the reunion dinner symbolizes reunion and happiness. The dinner usually includes various traditional dishes such as fish, dumplings, and rice cakes. Eating fish symbolizes surplus every year, eating dumplings symbolizes reunion, and rice cakes symbolize progress step by step. As for the children, the most exciting part is the giving of red envelopes, also known as “Hongbao”. These red envelopes with pocket money embody the parents’ heartfelt aspirations for their children’s health and enduring happiness.
除夕夜的年夜饭则是中国春节期间最重要传统习俗之一。家人团聚共进年夜饭,象征着团圆和幸福。年夜饭通常包括各种传统菜肴,如鱼、饺子、年糕等。吃鱼象征着年年有余,吃饺子象征着团团圆圆,年糕则寓意着步步高升。对孩子们来说,最激动则是发红包时刻,这些装着压岁钱的红包寄托着父母对孩子健康成长和幸福生活的美好愿望。
The various traditional customs during the Spring Festival reflect the Chinese people’s emphasis on family reunions and blessings, as well as the yearning for a better life in the new year. We hope this article can help you find out more about the traditional culture of China. In the end, we wish everyone a happy new year and a happy family!
春节期间的各种传统习俗反映了中国人对家庭团聚、祈福祈福的重视,也体现了对新年美好生活的向往。希望通过此文,可以帮助大家了解到更多关于中国春节的传统文化。
灵蛇舞新春,祥气绕周身。最后也祝愿大家,家和业兴人欢笑,岁岁平安乐开怀!
Shelly Wang, China HR Assistant