This Chinese New Year is the year of the Tiger.

But how exactly is Chinese New Year celebrated? Find ways to incorporate this important Chinese celebration into your business!

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What is Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, because the dates of celebration follow the phases of the new moon, is an annual 15-day festival celebrated in China and Chinese communities around the world. One of their biggest holidays! Unlike England, where the New Year is celebrated on December 31st with only one bank holiday, Chinese New Year lasts more than fifteen days!  

So be prepared for your employees in China to go on holiday for a week or two!

Animals play a key role in celebrating the Chinese New Year. Every New Year, an animal is named from one of the 12 Chinese zodiac creatures. Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. It is believed that each animal represents the personality trait of every human born in that specific year. This year, 2022, is the year of the Tiger!

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Factoring Chinese New Year into your business…

Chinese New Year is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the value and history of Chinese culture within your business. If you know someone Chinese, why not take the chance to greet them in their native language or wish them a Happy Chinese New Year?

“Happy Chinese New Year” - “xin nian kuai le” (pronounced shin nee-an kwai lur)

A simple greeting can make a difference and can make your team feel recognised and valued.  
But if languages are not your strong suit, you can always try one of the following:

Red Decorations

Red is said to have a symbolic meaning for the people of China. According to their belief, it brings good luck. Houses are covered in red decorations, and banners are hanged along the walls with interesting wishes, as well as lanterns dangling in the streets and outside houses. Why not add some burst of red to your new marketing newsletter, social media posts, or even in your office!

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Fireworks

People gather in massive crowds to watch the fireworks. The world’s largest fireworks are displayed at the Chinese New Year’s festival! It is also a traditional belief that fireworks scare away evil spirits and ghosts trying to enter your homes. Hosting a team event, such as a firework display, is not only a wonderful way to celebrate Chinese New Year, but also an opportunity for your team to have fun and relax with fellow colleagues.

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Exchanging of Gifts

Chinese New Year is an exciting time for young members of the family, because they receive red envelopes from older family members. These red envelopes are filled with money and symbolise future happiness and abundance. This tradition brings family and friends closer together. Some employers also use the red envelope to bless their employees with a special holiday bonus.

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The importance of celebrating culture in business.

We must learn to acknowledge and learn from each other's cultures, so we can avoid conflicts related to diversity, and instead use our differences to maximise our business’s potential.  

When considering marketing in a different language or country, it is important to be aware and understand all the key dimensions and sensitivities of a culture. What might work in one country might not work in another. Marketing is not one-size-fits-all, especially when it comes to marketing across borders.

Diversity is a strength, not a weakness. Click here to see how your business can benefit from our expert localisation services to boost your company's engagement across cultures.

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