6 Popular Chinese New Year Traditions in Indonesia

Chinese New Year always comes with several traditions. More than just celebrating Chinese New Year, many people believe that these traditions could bring good luck and blessings throughout the coming year.

As quoted from Kompas.com, Jenny Leung, Executive Director of the Chinese Cultural Center in San Francisco, said each region has different Chinese New Year celebration traditions. In North China, people have to eat dumplings on Chinese New Year's Eve, while the people of South China prepare rice cakes as a symbol of a better life in the coming year.

In Indonesia, people celebrate the Chinese New Year in different ways. The people of Indonesia carry out these six Chinese New Year traditions.

Cleaning and Decorating the House
One of the Chinese New Year traditions carried out in Indonesia until now is cleaning and decorating the house. The Chinese people believe that those effectively get rid of all bad energy that blocks the entrance of good luck. Therefore, this activity is generally carried out one day before the Chinese New Year.

However, when the Chinese New Year arrives, you are forbidden to clean the house. Chinese people believe that cleaning the house on the first three days of Chinese New Year celebrations can eliminate the luck that comes in the new year.

After cleaning the house, people will decorate their homes with various Chinese New Year ornaments dominant in red, such as lanterns, trees for kumquats, and more.

Big Family Gathering
Like other big day celebrations, family gatherings are also mandatory to celebrate Chinese New Year. People who live in cities will also return to their hometowns to meet their extended family. The activities carried out are varied from eating together to praying to the temple.

Reading Chinese Zodiac
Chinese people recognize 12 zodiac signs representing each month of the year, such as the rat, buffalo, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, chicken, dog, and pig. Each zodiac has its destiny and fortune. Therefore, you should pay more attention to it and be careful to turn bad luck into good luck.

Sharing Angpao
Another Chinese New Year tradition that you should not miss is handing out red packets or angpao. Usually, the red packets are given by parents or married couples to children and the single younger generation.

Angpao is known for its attractive Chinese New Year picture envelope. Usually, people will put some money in the envelope before sharing. However, in this modern era, the sharing of red packets is not always using money but also through mobile banking like PermataMobile X, a digital banking app that allows users to send money via the WhatsApp Gift feature.

Sending red packets via PermataMobile X mobile banking is very easy to do without the need for an account number. You can also send funny greeting cards to celebrate Chinese New Year using the WhatsApp Gift feature.

Setting off Fireworks and Firecrackers
The Chinese New Year feels empty without fireworks and firecrackers. Not just to enliven the atmosphere, firecrackers and fireworks set on the eve of the turn of the Chinese New Year are scaring away evil spirits and evil beasts named Nian. The loud sound of firecrackers also served to attract the attention of a Chinese general who was revered and worshipped as a Taoist God, the Guan Yu.

Watching a Lion Dance Show
Another Chinese New Year tradition is watching a lion dance performance. You can find the show at some venues or malls. The lion dance symbolizes fun and happiness for the Chinese people. The dance is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.

In the modern era where technology is increasingly developing, many Chinese people, including in Indonesia, still carry out many traditions of Chinese New Year that have existed for a long time. Even so, some traditions have begun to adapt to technology, such as sharing red packets via mobile banking such as PermataMobile X.

PermataMobile X is not only managing your account but also facilitating your financial activities. Investing, applying for loans, barcode payment systems, and WhatsApp Gifts; all in one application.

So make sure to register for the PermataMobile X digital banking application and feel the convenience of celebrating Chinese New Year!

Send WhatsApp Gift  Tutorial on Sending WhatsApp Gifts