Chinese New Year's Eve marks the final day of the lunar year and is one of the most significant festivals in Chinese culture. The term "除" (chú) means "to remove" or "to replace," and "除夕" represents "the end of the month and year, bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new." According to historical records, the earliest mention of "除夕" comes from works like the Fengtu Ji (风土记) written by Zhou Chu during the Western Jin Dynasty.
The purpose and meaning of staying up late on New Year's Eve (守岁) is to express respect for time and appreciation for the passing year. The night of New Year's Eve marks the end of the old year and the beginning of the new one. Waiting for this moment reflects the deep respect and appreciation people hold for time. By staying up late, people reflect on the past year, learn from it, and set new goals and plans for the upcoming year.
At the same time, the New Year's Eve dinner is the highlight of the evening and usually begins after the ancestral worship ceremony. Family members gather around a table, enjoying a feast of delicious dishes. The New Year's Eve dinner carries multiple meanings; it is not only a time for family reunion and sharing food but also an important occasion for passing on culture, expressing gratitude, and offering blessings for the future. Chinese dumplings, or "jiaozi," are an essential dish for the New Year's Eve dinner, carrying deep symbolic significance. The word "jiaozi" (饺子) sounds like the pronunciation of "交子" , referring to the moment when the old year transitions to the new year. Therefore, eating jiaozi at the stroke of midnight on the first day of the lunar new year (the "zi" hour) symbolizes reunion, joy, and good fortune.
