While all societies have their customs, the Chinese, more than most, know the reasons behind their rituals. The Chinese New Year is actually the most important time for the Chinese, and as such, is celebrated all over the world. These celebrations are much more than flying acrobats and fizzing pyrotechnics.

The date is the first day of the first moon of the lunar calendar. This means that it is variable, running from as early as January 21st to as late as February 19th.

Chinese New Year is celebrated as the time to clear out the old year and welcome in the new one. That clearing out included debts, which must be paid before the old year finished, or if not possible, new terms negotiated.

The kitchen was also cleared out in the month before New Year, with the Kitchen God Zaowang reporting back to heaven on the doings of the family. To appease Zaowang, the grounds were swept and he was given a good meal before his celestial trip. He was expected to return on the first day of the new year (check your kitchen).