For two thousand years, China has always preserved a custom of offering a sacrifice to the kitchen god.

Traditionally the Spring Festival actually begins its course a week before the Chinese New Year (the 23rd of the last month from Chinese lunar calendar) with the practice of offering a sacrifice to the Kitchen God. The Kitchen God is god sent from Heaven to each family to take charge of family affairs and make a report on what the family has done in the past year to Heaven annually on the date of the 23rd.

Strangely enough, the sacrifice to the Kitchen God is a lotus root-like sticky cake made of a typical Chinese traditional candy, instead of the usual cows, pigs or sheep. The purpose of the practice is, for people are to make full use of the sticky cake to prevent the Kitchen God from speaking badly of the family in Heaven by sticking his mouth closed. Of course, it seems to be quite a tacit agreement between the Kitchen God and his prayers; he is always accepting sweet food from the people around. This tradition is no longer popular in cities now, but may still be observed in some areas in the countryside.

From the 23rd to the 28th, it is the seedtime for the great festival. People usually find themselves buying various things that vary from new clothes to delicious food. The Spring Festival is also the time for all family members getting together. Usually most people are trying to get home from different places before or on the New Year's Eve (the 29th). Therefore, the week before the Chinese New Year is the busiest travel time in China.

In China, people tend to eat together, usually the host will serve you some dishes with his or her own chopsticks to show his or her hospitality. Since this is different with the Western customs, you can leave the food alone if you feel too awkward. There are some other rules you are suggested to follow to make your stay in China happier, though you will be forgiven if you have no idea what they are.

Never stick your chopsticks upright in the rice bowl, since that usually appears on the funeral and is deemed extremely impolite to the host and seniors present.

Make sure the spout of the teapot is not facing anyone. The proper way is make it direct outward from the table.

Don't tap on your bowl with your chopsticks, since that will be deemed insult to the host or the chef.

Never try to turn a fish over and debone it yourself, since the separation of the fish skeleton from the lower half of the flesh will usually be performed by the host or a waiter. Superstitious people will deem bad luck will ensue and a fishing boat will capsize otherwise.

In China, foods are given different meanings, so that in certain occasion a kind of food, can only be eaten by some specific individuals, or a kind of food must be eaten in specific occasion.

Usually, an honored guest will be served a snapper's head or shell to hail him and show warmly welcome in some districts.

Long noodle is the symbol of longevity in China, so that youngsters or seniors all will have a bowl of Long Life Noodle to expect a healthy life.

In Central China, if a baby is born, his father will send Red Boiled Egg to announce the news. An even number, usually six or eight, of Red Boiled Egg with a black point dotted on one end will be delivered for a boy, and an odd number, usually five or seven without black point for a girl.

Fish is always served to symbolize prosperity and wealth accumulation in the New Year's Eve.

There are other foods and snacks symbolizing good wishes under special circumstances, such as duck, chicken and melon seeds.

 The Chinese Lunar New Year does not fall on the same date each year, although it is always in January or February.

Long ago the current emperor determined the start of the New Year. Today celebrations are based on Emperor Han Wu Di's almanac. It uses the first day of the first month of the Lunar Year as the start of Chinese New Year.

Legend tells of a village in China, thousands of years ago, that was ravaged by an evil monster one winter's eve. The following year the monster returned and again ravaged the village. Before it could happen a third time, the villagers devised a plan to scare the monster away. Red banners were hung everywhere; the color red has long been believed to protect against evil. Firecrackers, drums and gongs were used to create loud noises to scare the beast away. The plan worked and the celebration lasted several days during which people visited with each other, exchanged gifts, danced and ate tasty comestibles.

Celebrations today are both literal and symbolic. Spring cleaning is started about a month prior to the new year and must be completed before the celebrations begin.

Typically red packets called Lai See (Red Envelop) with money tucked inside are given out as a symbol of good luck. The amount is usually an even number as odd numbers are regarded as unlucky.

Lions are considered to be good omens. The lion dance is believed to repel demons. Each lion has two dancers, one to maneuver the head, the other the back.

During the New Year celebrations people do not fight or be mean to each other, as this would bring a bad, unlucky year.

Everyone celebrates their birthday this day as well and turning one year older.

Foods during the holiday hold symbolism as well. Typically red meat is not served and one is careful not to serve or eat from a chipped or cracked plate. Fish is eaten to ensure long life and good fortune. Red dates bring the hope for prosperity, melon seeds for proliferation and lotus seeds means the family will prosper through time. Oranges and tangerines symbolize wealth and good fortune.  the New Year's Cake is always served. It is believed that the higher the cake rises the better the year will be. When company stops by a "prosperity tray" is served. The tray has eight sides (another symbol of prosperity) and is filled with goodies like red dates, melon seeds, cookies and New Year Cakes.

 In Chinese culture, fish means "Prosperous" and ¡°Flourish¡± due to its pronunciation in Chinese (it sounds "Yu" which has a same meaning as "Prosperous"). Thus fish design is often used on garments to express a wish of promising future.
 The fish pattern is especially suitable for young person.