Bai Nian (Make Chinese New Year greetings)

 

Making Chinese New Year greetings, or Bai Nian in Chinese, is an important custom during the Spring Festival. During the Spring Festival, people will go visit their friends and relatives to give their New Year greetings. It is believed that the earlier one gives his/her greetings, the more sincere he/she is.

The younger should offer their greetings to the elder first, wishing them good health. And in exchange, they will get some gift money wrapped in a red envelope.

And ever since the Ming Dynasty in the 14th century, ordinary people have begun to exchange greeting cards. Nowadays, people also use telephones and e-mails to pay New Year calls.