Are you ready for the Year of the Ox?

2021 is the Year of the Ox (牛年niú nián) – also known as 辛丑年 (xīn chǒu nián) according to the sexagenary cycle.

People in northern and southern China celebrate Chinese New Year (CNY) in different ways. Since we’re based in Hong Kong, here’s how to prepare for our most important festival here!

Is Chinese New Year is approaching?

As soon as you hear CNY songs at supermarkets, on TV, and promotions everywhere, that’s the first sign the New Year is fast approaching. Also, if you have business partners in other parts of China, they will probably inform you of their days off.

People in mainland China celebrate CNY in a grand way – imagine 290,000,000 people travelling around the country during the Spring Festival travel rush (春运chūn yùn).

Chinese New Year Flowers

The Year of the Ox starts on the 12 February 2021, which means CNY is only around two weeks away from now! It’s important to fill your house with pretty CNY flowers (年花nián huā), which bloom at a specific time.

Some people will soak their narcissus (水仙花shuǐ xiān huā) bulbs in water and wait for the magic to happen – as white and yellow flowers start to bloom in a few weeks’ time. Beside narcissus, gladiolus (剑兰jiàn lán), orchids (兰花lán huā) and peach blossoms (桃花táo huā) are popular flowers among Hongkongers and are found at flower or CNY markets.  

A Prosperous and Lucky New Year

People also get busy creating CNY decorations. Buying couplets or wall decorations are important but, some prefer making their own as they are supposed to bring good luck to the family! 

Create your couplets:

Paper Cutting: This has to be done before the New Year arrives because according to the tradition, holding knives and scissors will bring bad luck to the New Year.

Spring Couplets: We write luck messages on red paper, such as:

• 牛年大吉(niú nián dà jí)  Good Luck during the Year of the Ox
• 身体健康(shēn tǐ jiàn kāng) Good Health
• 心想事成(xīn xiǎng shì chéng) May all your wishes come true

Everything has to be new in the New Year. New clothes, new shoes, even money in red packets (红包hóng bāo) has to be new – at least that’s what people here in Hong Kong believe. New things represent a new start, so don’t worry if you see lots of people lining up outside the bank. People are queing for some brand new banknotes (钞票chāo piào). 

On the 28th day of the final month in the Chinese calendar (February 9, 2021), everyone has to do their part to clean the house, the office, their rooms. Basically, everything should be cleaned and tidied up before this day of Spring cleaning (大扫除dà sǎo chú)!

Mark this date on your calendar, swipe away all the dust and all the bad luck! Get ready for The Year of the Ox!

Subscribe to our Mandarin Matrix newsletter and receive free Chinese New Year crafts and Chinese learning resources. You can also receive our Chinese Festival Special Collection here and learn more about Chinese festivals!

The collection includes 11 storybooks and 1 activity book. What’s better than reading stories and doing fun activities at home with your family during this CNY!