Behind the Spring Festival there is an array of symbolisms, customs and traditions governing it. The year 2026 ushers us into the Year of the Horse – the horse symbolizing speed and success. It represents hard work, bravery and resilience and marks a time for initiatives and for creative and decisive actions. The Chinese New Year is the most important festival in the Chinese calendar. It cements the community together. This long-established tradition has stood the test of time and has been handed down from generation to generation, crossing far-flung borders among the Chinese diaspora, and is revelled in with the same fervour and piety.

Though the Overseas Chinese may have left their homeland centuries before, the celebration of the Chinese New Year is deeply ingrained in their traditions and captures the soul of their Chineseness. The essence of its celebration remains the same everywhere, following its traditions and customs but at times peppered with local context in countries of their settlement. It marks a day of rejoicing and above all it galvanizes family reunion, bringing joy and resolutions for the future, deeply woven in Chinese culture. There are far deeper meanings behind the celebration. It lays emphasis on prosperity, renewal and community life. It is impregnated with symbolisms to be treasured hereafter.

Chinese New Year has become global in recent years and since 2019 it was placed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. Mauritius is the only country in Africa that lists the Chinese New Year as a statutory public holiday. Blessed are we to be born, bred and grown up in the multicultural environment of Mauritius where tolerance is most respected and upheld. It is a place where East and West meet and also the place where Chinese culture is most vibrant.

The Chinese New Year is also the time for us to honour deities and ancestors. It is associated with several myths and customs blended with modernity. It also marks the time to make new resolutions for the coming year, bringing new perspectives, hopes and vigour. It propels a great migration across the world. “No matter where they live, the Chinese try to return home with their families for Chinese New Year just as the Americans do for Christmas,” said Dr Ming Wang, an ophthalmologist and advocate for cultural diversity in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. This creates the world’s largest annual migration known as the Spring Festival Travel Rush.

Bus terminals, airports and taxi stands are besieged by a mammoth crowd of migrant workers eager to reach home on time to attend the New Year’s Eve dinners. Many are unfortunately left stranded due to train or plane delays. The highlight of this celebration is the most yearned-for family dinner on the eve. All members must make it a duty to attend this dinner, usually held at the eldest son’s home. All familial misunderstandings and quarrels are buried to pave the way for reconciliation and solidarity. In Chinese culture families are known to be the bulwarks of progress and social recognition. This is the greatness of Chinese culture. “All things go well when the family is harmonious” is an axiom of most Chinese families. When the family is harmonious the members will be blessed within and outside the home. Social etiquettes are most observed during dinner.

The round dinner table is carpeted with a rich array of delicious dishes and each bears a significance, as for example noodles symbolizing longevity and good health, and a whole fish served on the plate stands for surplus “yu” for the coming year; dumplings “jiaozi” shaped like ancient gold ingots represent wealth and prawns/shrimps are meant to bring a year full of happiness. The menu is carefully curated with dishes to symbolize prosperity, luck and togetherness. Furthermore, Chinese cooking is an art in itself. Chinese cuisine places emphasis on colour, aroma and flavour. The Chinese New Year is also a feast for our palates. Not only must a dish taste good, it must also appeal to the senses to be able to whet the appetite.

The festival is celebrated for almost 14 days, culminating in the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival. Family ties are strengthened and respect for the elders is upheld. Through this auspicious festival we get to know our roots and each will know their social rank in the hierarchy of the family. It constitutes the driving force when we greet our elders by their social rank in the family. We show our deep respect to them in accordance with our greeting. In Chinese culture, seniority and relationships are very important and this is reflected in the many terms of address used for relatives. In English, for example, the siblings of parents are simply called “uncle” and “aunt” while those related by marriage are termed “in-laws”. In contrast, the Chinese distinguish each relation by relative age and generation, gender and even whether the person is related on the paternal or maternal side.

According to a legend, Nian, a mythical beast which lived under the sea and in the mountains and that looked like a lion with horns, spelt disaster for the population and firecrackers are lit to frighten it away. The custom of staying up all night on the eve of the New Year is called “shou sui”. Before the Spring Festival every household will undergo a major clean-up where every corner of the house should be kept spick and span. When the job is done all brooms will be put away. On the day of the New Year the broom should never be used to prevent one’s wishes from being swept away.

The colour red plays a significant role in the life of the Chinese. It symbolizes good fortune and luck. Lighting firecrackers is carried out to ward off evil ghosts and also the loud bursting of firecrackers serves to enliven the atmosphere of joy and festivity. The yard is carpeted with firecracker shreds. Red packets commonly known as hong pao are distributed by elders to children and this is the long-awaited moment among kids. The significance of the red packet is not in the amount of money it contains but rather it is a symbol of celebration, well wishes and good fortune.

On the first day of the New Year everyone will don their new clothes and visit their relatives and friends. Snacks and delicacies will also be served to guests. Spring couplets will be put up. They are written on paper and cloth or carved on bamboo, wood and pillars. They constitute decorations. These couplets have existed since the Song Dynasty and remain so till today and they are very popular in China, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong.

The Chinese New Year is a milestone in our lives. It marks the advent of a new era. We wish everyone Happy New Year of the Horse. Xin Nian Kwai Li… Kung Hei Fat Choy.