Xia Qingzi - Chinese New Year Thanksgiving Fest... Fix May 2026

It was a chilly winter evening in Beijing, and Xia Qingzi was bustling with excitement as she prepared for the Chinese New Year Thanksgiving Festival. The festival, also known as the Spring Festival, was a time-honored tradition in China, marking the beginning of the new year on the lunar calendar.

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The 2026 Lunar New Year, falling on February 17 , marks the start of the Year of the Fire Horse , symbolizing energy, bravery, and resilience. 2026 Celebration Highlights Xia Qingzi - Chinese New Year Thanksgiving Fest...

Syncretic or modern festival

Unlike the massive New Year’s Eve dinner, the Xia Qingzi feast is smaller, more intimate, and silent at the start. The meal begins with a Jing Cha (敬茶) – a tea offering. Then, the head of the household kneels before the altar. Notably, the dogs and cats of the house are also fed first on this day, as a traditional proverb states: "Thank the creatures of the house before you fill your own mouth." It was a chilly winter evening in Beijing,

The highlight of the evening was the giving of red envelopes, called "hongbao," to Xia Qingzi and her younger brother, Xia Hao. The envelopes were filled with money, symbolizing good luck and prosperity. Xia Qingzi beamed with joy as she received her envelope, feeling grateful for her parents' love and generosity. Notably, the dogs and cats of the house