60 Chinese New Year Trivia Questions and Answers

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is the most important holiday in Chinese culture. It marks the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. Celebrated by over a billion people around the world, Chinese New Year is a time for family reunions, feasts, fireworks, and gift giving.

Test your knowledge of this ancient holiday with these Chinese New Year trivia questions and answers about Chinese New Year traditions, food, decorations, and more!

For more quizzes, see ourĀ trivia quiz sitemap.

Table of Contents

Chinese New Year History & Traditions Trivia

  1. What animal was the first zodiac animal in the Chinese calendar system?
  2. What is the most common Chinese New Year greeting?
  3. What is the name of the legendary beast that parades through streets on Chinese New Year?
  4. What do the red envelopes filled with money given at Chinese New Year represent?
  5. What does the Chinese word "nian" mean?
  6. What do the Chinese eat for breakfast on New Year's Day?
  7. What do the Chinese eat for dinner on New Year's Eve?
  8. What do the fireworks traditionally chased away?
  9. What is hung on doors during Chinese New Year to bring good fortune?
  10. What is the most popular flower used to decorate homes for Chinese New Year?

Chinese Zodiac & Calendar Trivia

  1. How many animals are in the Chinese zodiac?
  2. Which year will be the Year of the Tiger?
  3. Which animal comes after Rabbit and before Dragon in the zodiac cycle?
  4. How often does the animal cycle repeat?
  5. What is the upcoming 2023 Chinese New Year animal?
  6. Which zodiac animal is thought to be the most unlucky?
  7. What year does the Chinese lunisolar calendar start?
  8. How many days does Chinese New Year last?
  9. What does the Chinese New Year date correspond to on the Gregorian calendar?
  10. How is the date of Chinese New Year determined?

Chinese New Year Food & Cooking Trivia

  1. What is considered the most important dish eaten during Chinese New Year?
  2. What type of candy is traditionally given to children during Chinese New Year?
  3. What circular shaped dumplings are eaten for good fortune?
  4. What glutinous rice cake is popular for Chinese New Year?
  5. What fruit is displayed to attract wealth and prosperity?
  6. Eating noodles on Chinese New Year symbolizes what?
  7. What is the name of the dish eaten for breakfast on New Year's Day?
  8. What vegetable is cut to resemble gold bars?
  9. What food is avoided because its name sounds like arguments in Mandarin?
  10. What seed is used in pastries for its symbolic meaning of "sons and grandsons"?

Chinese New Year Superstitions & Taboos Trivia

  1. Why is it bad luck to sweep or clean the house on the first day of Chinese New Year?
  2. What common New Year's decoration is believed to frighten away evil spirits?
  3. What should you avoid saying to someone during Chinese New Year so you don't jinx their fortunes?
  4. On what day should you avoid washing your hair?
  5. Why do married couples give out red envelopes on New Year's Day?
  6. Why do people wear new clothes on New Year's Day?
  7. What color clothing is considered bad luck to wear during the festival?
  8. What should you avoid giving someone as a gift?
  9. What are students instructed not to say to their teachers on Chinese New Year?
  10. What's the superstition around sitting on tables or meeting people with brooms during the holiday?

Chinese New Year Decorations & Symbols Trivia

  1. What is the most popular Chinese New Year decoration?
  2. What do the fish decorations seen during Chinese New Year symbolize?
  3. What is considered the lucky signature flower of Chinese New Year?
  4. What citrus fruit is displayed for good fortune and luck?
  5. What is the significance of the color red during Chinese New Year?
  6. What shape do many decorations take to symbolize wealth and prosperity?
  7. What plant's leaves sound like the Chinese word for "wealth" when shaken?
  8. What mythical Chinese beast is said to bring good luck and fortune?
  9. What blends of flowers and fruits are popular centerpieces?
  10. What does a candy tray with eight compartments represent?

Chinese New Year Around the World Trivia

  1. What is the largest annual human migration in the world?
  2. Where are the biggest Chinese New Year celebrations outside of China and Taiwan?
  3. What city holds the largest Chinese New Year parade outside of Asia?
  4. Where would you find the Newport Chinatown in the United States?
  5. About how many people attended the 2020 Chinese New Year parade in London?
  6. What South American country has a Chinatown nicknamed "Little Taipei"?
  7. What Caribbean country has an annual Chinese New Year festival?
  8. Which European city created the first Chinatown in the 1600s?
  9. What gifts are traditionally given to children during Chinese New Year in Vietnam?
  10. What Mexican city has an annual Chinese New Year festival with fireworks and dances?

Answers for Chinese New Year Trivia

  1. Rat
  2. Gong xi fa cai (Mandarin) or Sun nin fai lok (Cantonese)
  3. Lion or dragon dance
  4. Luck and prosperity
  5. Year or monster
  6. Niangao rice cake
  7. Dumplings symbolizing wealth
  8. Mythical beast Nian
  9. Red couplets with lucky phrases
  10. Chrysanthemum
  11. 12
  12. 2022
  13. Snake
  14. Every 12 years
  15. Rabbit
  16. Rat
  17. 2637 BCE
  18. 15 days
  19. Between January 21 and February 20
  20. Based on lunisolar calendar
  21. Fish
  22. Candy boxes
  23. Tang yuan (glutinous rice balls)
  24. Nian gao (glutinous rice cake)
  25. Tangerines/Oranges
  26. Longevity
  27. Poached whole fish
  28. Carrot
  29. Crabs
  30. Watermelon seeds
  31. It sweeps away good luck
  32. Red lanterns
  33. "Have a prosperous year" so you don't imply they lacked prosperity
  34. Lunar New Year's Eve
  35. For good fortune
  36. To symbolize a new start
  37. Black or white
  38. Clocks or watches (sounds like "end" in Chinese)
  39. That they are getting older
  40. It causes arguments and instability
  41. Red lanterns
  42. Abundance and surplus
  43. Plum blossom
  44. Tangerine/orange
  45. Joy, celebration, and prosperity
  46. Round shape
  47. Bamboo
  48. Fu dog
  49. Tray of togetherness
  50. Prosperity in all directions
  51. Chinese New Year travel/migration
  52. Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia
  53. San Francisco
  54. Oregon
  55. Over 30,000
  56. Peru
  57. Trinidad & Tobago
  58. Amsterdam
  59. Red envelopes with money
  60. Mexicali

Conclusion

Chinese New Year is a rich and vibrant celebration filled with customs, symbols, and legends that have been passed down through generations. From the zodiac animals and traditional decorations to the delicious festive dishes and fascinating mythology, Chinese New Year offers a unique glimpse into Chinese culture and traditions.

I hope you enjoyed these Chinese New Year trivia questions! Let me know if you need me to modify or expand on this draft article in any way. Wishing you health, prosperity, and good fortune in the new year!

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Mark

Mark is a co-founder and admin of Trivia Plane, bringing his passion for trivia and technology to the website. With a background in software engineering, Mark handles the quiz research side of Trivia Plane, working to bring the best of knowledge to our users. When he's not working behind-the-scenes on the website, Mark enjoys travelling, listening to podcasts, and spending time with family and friends. As a co-founder, Mark wants Trivia Plane to spread joy, bring people together, and create a sense of community around his favorite hobby - discovering fascinating facts through trivia questions.

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