CNY Trivia

Question 1

What is another name for the Chinese New Year?

Accepted Answer

Spring festival

Question 2

Paper cuttings are often displayed on windows. What do these intricate designs represent?

Accepted Answer

Wishes for happiness and prosperity

Question 3

Why is the dragon dance performed during New Year celebrations?

Accepted Answer

To scare away evil spirits

Question 4

What is the meaning behind eating fish during the Chinese New Year?

Accepted Answer

Prosperity

Question 5

Red lanterns are commonly hung during the New Year. What do they symbolize?

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Question 6

What does the Chinese character "福" (fu) mean when placed upside down on doors during New Year?

Accepted Answer

Luck has arrived

Question 7

What does the red color in Chinese New Year decorations symbolize in myths?

Accepted Answer

Protection from the Nian Beast

Question 8

The round shape of tangyuan (glutinous rice balls) symbolizes what?

Accepted Answer

Family reunion

Question 9

What does eating chicken represent during the Lunar New Year?

Accepted Answer

Wholeness and prosperity

Question 10

Why is citrus fruit, like oranges, often gifted during the New Year?

Accepted Answer

Its round shape and color symbolize good fortune.

Question 11

Who is visited on the first day of the Chinese New Year?

Accepted Answer

The oldest members of the families

Question 12

Why is the number 4 avoided in decorations and gifts during the New Year?

Accepted Answer

It sounds like "death" in Chinese.

Question 13

Why are Chinese lions depicted in dances during New Year celebrations?

Accepted Answer

They bring good luck and drive away evil spirits.

Question 14

What is the primary color used in traditional New Year dance costumes?

Accepted Answer

Red

Question 15

Why are mandarin oranges displayed in homes?

Accepted Answer

Their name sounds like "luck" in Chinese.

Question 16

Why is Chap Goh Mei sometimes referred to as Chinese Valentine’s Day?

Accepted Answer

It was historically a time for courtship.

Question 17

In Southern China, people eat sticky rice cake (nian gao). What does "nian gao" mean?

Accepted Answer

Prosperous year

Question 18

On what day of the Chinese New Year is Chap Goh Mei?

Accepted Answer

15th day

Question 19

What modern Chinese New Year tradition involves children most?

Accepted Answer

Receiving red envelopes

Question 20

Why is sweeping the floor during Chinese New Year considered bad luck?

Accepted Answer

It sweeps away wealth and prosperity.

Question 21

What creature is central to the origin of firecrackers in Chinese New Year myths?

Accepted Answer

Nian Beast

Question 22

How are the animals in the Chinese Zodiac cycle arranged?

Accepted Answer

Based on a legend

Question 23

The Chinese Zodiac follows a 12-year cycle. Which of the following is NOT part of this cycle?

Accepted Answer

Phoenix

Question 24

What ingredient is commonly avoided during the Chinese New Year to prevent bad luck?

Accepted Answer

Bitter melon

Question 25

What beauty treatment is considered bad luck to do on the New Year?

Accepted Answer

Hair cuts

Question 26

Why are kumquat trees popular decorations during New Year?

Accepted Answer

Their name sounds like “gold.”

Question 27

Which musical instrument is most commonly associated with the lion and dragon dances?

Accepted Answer

Chinese drum

Question 28

What does the lion in lion dances usually hold in its mouth?

Accepted Answer

A red envelope

Question 29

In ancient China, what was used to ward off the Nian Beast before firecrackers?

Accepted Answer

Bamboo stalks burned to create noise

Question 30

What is traditionally written on Spring Festival couplets (chunlian)?

Accepted Answer

Poems about blessings and good fortune

CNY Trivia

Questions 30

CNY Trivia

Questions 30