Why Filipinos Celebrate Chinese New Year: History, Luck, and Tradition



    Chinese New Year is one of those holidays that Filipinos have thoroughly embraced, even if it did not originate here. Every year, we see red lanterns everywhere, dragon dances in the streets, and tikoy being handed out like gifts. Have you ever wondered why we celebrate it so much? What makes this Chinese tradition so popular and such a big deal in the Philippines?


    Filipinos and Chinese have a long history that predates the arrival of the Spaniards. Chinese traders began conducting business in the Philippines centuries ago, bringing not only goods but also their culture and traditions. Many of them settled here, married locals, and established villages. That is why many Filipinos today have Chinese heritage and even those who do not still follow some Chinese rituals, particularly around New Year's.


    Let's be honest: Filipinos adore and love anything that brings good fortune. We believe in attracting success through feng shui, lucky charms, and simple New Year rituals such as displaying round fruits. These superstitions are prevalent throughout Chinese New Year, from wearing red for good fortune to avoiding bad luck actions such as sweeping the floor (since you may "sweep away" the good luck). It's no wonder that Filipinos eagerly adopted these traditions, because who doesn't want a little extra luck for the next year?


    Filipinos never turn down an opportunity to celebrate, especially if it involves food and family. Chinese New Year, like Christmas and New Year's Eve, is a time to celebrate with loved ones, eat special delicacies, and exchange blessings. In Binondo (Manila's Chinatown), the streets come alive with fireworks, dragon dances, and food stalls selling lucky delicacies. It's a joyful, bright, and upbeat festival that Filipinos naturally like.


    In 2025, we will enter the Year of the Snake, which is thought to represent wisdom, metamorphosis, and insight. Expect to see feng shui advice everywhere, love and career predictions, and, of course, the annual rush to purchase tikoy and ang pao (red envelopes). Whether you believe in the zodiac or not, it's always interesting to see how people greet the new year with optimism and enthusiasm.


    At the end of the day, Filipinos celebrate Chinese New Year because it combines history, culture, and our love of positive sentiments. It serves as a reminder of our country's diversity and commitment to traditions that unite people. Whether you have Chinese heritage or not, it's always a nice time to have fun, eat good cuisine, and look forward to the new year. 




How Do You Celebrate the Chinese New Year? Do you eat tikoy, wear red, or have any lucky traditions? 






References: 


Mysak, S., & Nicdao, J. (2025, January 10). Chinese New Year 2025 in Philippines. Rove.me. https://rove.me/to/philippines/chinese-new-year


Williams, B. (2025, January 18). Things to do for Lunar New Year 2025 near Denver. FOX31 Denver. https://kdvr.com/denver-guide/things-to-do/things-to-do-for-lunar-new-year-2025-near-denver/amp/


Marianne, & Marianne. (2020, December 16). Chinese New Year: A time for family reunions | Arrive. Arrive. https://arrivein.com/daily-life-in-canada/chinese-new-year-a-time-for-family-reunions/


Finch, E. (2025, January 13). Chinese New Year 2025: Year of the Snake predictions. The Minds Journal. https://themindsjournal.com/chinese-new-year-2025/


Lagatta, Eric. (2025, January 28). Lunar Chinese New Year Snake. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/01/28/lunar-chinese-new-year-snake/77972741007/

Comments

  1. SaniathaFebruary 19, 2025 at 9:56 PM

    Wow, I learned so much about Chinese New Year customs from this post. So informative!

    ReplyDelete

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