The Chinese New Year is known as the Spring Festival to the Chinese people. It marks the end of the winter season and starts on the first solar term in the Chinese calendar. Wikipedia defines “solar term” as “ any of 24 points in traditional East Asian lunisolar calendars that matches a particular astronomical event or signifies some natural phenomenon. The points are spaced 15° apart along the ecliptic and are used by lunisolar calendars to stay synchronized with the seasons, which is crucial for agrarian societies."
One of the traditions is for tangerines and oranges to be eaten and displayed. The tangerines and oranges are also given out on birthdays and wedding days too. The tangerines and oranges bring wealth and good luck. But don’t display more than two, and keep the leaves on. It’s bad luck to put out four of them.
The Spring Festival tradition can be traced back the legendary sage emperors Yao and Shum. They ruled from 2356 to 2256 BCE.
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