Grab red envelopes, listen to stories, and celebrate the Spring Festival! Soaring Dragons Across the Seas - Join ANU China Studies experts to uncover the secrets of the 'Dragon'.

In this Lunar New Year, ride the winds of change like a giant dragon

The Chinese calendar is also known as the Yin-Yang calendar, which means it is based on the date cycles of the sun and moon. In China, the Lunar New Year is called the Spring Festival. Although it originated in China, people in many different parts of the world, especially in Asia, also celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Apart from corresponding to the twelve zodiac signs, the Chinese Yin-Yang calendar also corresponds one by one to the five elements of earth, fire, metal, wood, and water. The 2024 Lunar New Year corresponds to the fifth in the zodiac, which isthe Year of the Wood Dragon.

How was the Chinese dragon formed?

There are many legends about the Chinese dragon, one of the most popular folk stories is this: in the early days of Chinese civilization, tribes that practiced totem worship drew elements from different totems to create the dragon. They combined the characteristics of different animals such as the tiger, fish, eagle, camel, and snake to create a powerful creature.

Many believe that the tribal leader Huang Di waged war against nine regions in the Yellow River basin. After he conquered all these regions, he combined all the different totems of these regions into a dragon totem.

Interestingly, it is speculated that the oldest dragon unearthed in China is more than 6000 years old, and the owner of the tomb, Zhuan Xu, is speculated to be the grandson of Huang Di.

Folklore also mentions that early Chinese people mainly lived on agriculture and fishing, and they relied heavily on weather and rainfall. They believed that a divine power controlled the weather—this power was the dragon. Chinese mythology is filled with stories of dragons living in various water systems.

Dr. Anne Ren from the School of Culture, History, and Language under the College of Asia and the Pacific at the Australian National Universitysaid: 'The dragon dance performances we often see in Lunar New Year celebrations and other festivals originated from ancient rituals performed by people at the start of the sowing season. The purpose of these rituals was to awaken the dragon from hibernation.'

According to myth, the Jade Emperor decided the order of the twelve zodiac signs based on the order in which the animals arrived at the heavenly court to pay their respects to him. Legend has it that the dragon was late because it stopped to bring rain to a village suffering from drought, and thus only ranked fifth.

What makes the dragon so unique in the Chinese zodiac? 

Did you know that the dragon is the only mythical creature in the Chinese zodiac? Additionally, Dr. Ren explained that, contrary to Western imagery, the Chinese dragon is associated with water bodies. It breathes clouds or water-related elements, not fire.

Unlike the evil, fire-breathing dragons of Western legend, the Chinese dragon is revered for its ability to produce rain. It is believed that in winter, the dragon curls up at the bottom of the sea or river to sleep, and at the dawn of spring, it flies into the swirling clouds in the sky, bringing rain. Dr. Ren believes that perhaps the dragon's divine ability to produce rain made it a fitting symbol for Chinese emperors, who considered themselves 'Sons of Heaven.' By the Ming Dynasty (1364-1644), only the emperor could wear robes adorned with exquisite dragon patterns.

This painting depicts Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty (reigned from 1368 to 1398). Hongwu was his reign title.

Dragons in Western mythology are sometimes associated with fear or danger, but Chinese dragons are generally more benevolent and heroic.

Dr. Yanyin Zhang, a China studies expert at the Australian National University, said: 'In the Chinese zodiac, culturally, the dragon is closely related to human prosperity and all things auspicious.'

What are the traditions of Lunar New Year celebrations?

The Lunar New Year is also known as the Spring Festival in Chinese culture, but it is widely celebrated by many Asian cultural groups around the world. In Australia, it is also a popular festival where people follow some traditional customs.

Fengyuan Ji, a China studies expert at the Australian National University, explained that a thorough spring cleaning symbolizes bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new. Many also pastethe character 'Fu'on their doors, hoping to bring good luck for the new year.

Shopping and preparing food are important activities before the New Year. In northern China, most people hold a grand family dinner on New Year's Eve, making and eating dumplings. Dr. Yanyin Zhang explained: 'Fish is almost a must on the Chinese New Year table. The pronunciation of 'fish' is the same as 'surplus,' meaning 'leftover.' Therefore, eating 'fish' during Chinese New Year symbolizes wealth, abundance, and annual good luck, hence the saying‘Nian Nian You Yu’.

'Chinese people usually have a strong culture of dining and gift-giving,' Ji said, 'people usually gather around the dining table with family and friends to celebrate the New Year. In the past, they would cook at home, but now most people eat out.' From the first day to the Lantern Festival, during the entire two weeks of the Spring Festival, good restaurants are mostly full.

For thousands of years, visiting relatives, friends, neighbors, and old colleagues (including favorite school teachers) during the Spring Festival has been the most important traditional custom, and of course, visiting requires bringing gifts.

Children usually receivered envelopesfrom parents, grandparents, and relatives, containing money ranging from a few yuan to several thousand yuan, depending on the child's age and the family's financial situation.

Ultimately, this annual festival is a time for people to reconnect with family and friends. Reflecting on the past year, preparing and looking forward to a new year full of hope and potential.

This year, may the dragon bring people strength and wealth to overcome obstacles and achieve success.

The Australian National University China Centre wishes everyone a happy Spring Festival and great fortune in the Year of the Dragon!