CNN  — 

It’s that time again: Lunar New Year.

Red packets of money will change hands and dragon dances will roar through the streets as people around the world, predominately of Chinese descent, usher in the Year of the Pig.

Beyond the usual Lunar New Year traditions, however, is a holiday full of interesting quirks and customs.

1. Locals don’t call it Chinese New Year

In China, the festivities are known as spring festival or Lunar New Year – the new year is determined by the lunar calendar.

From late January to mid-February, Vietnam and other countries celebrate Lunar New Year.

2. Traffic is chaos

chunyun tease
Chunyun: China's epic new year travel rush
01:00 - Source: CNN

Lunar New Year is basically like having an entire country throw a family reunion – all at once.

In China, the Spring Festival travel rush period (chunyun) is the country’s, if not the world’s, biggest season of human migration.

Whether pushing their way into packed buses, buying black-market tickets from scalpers or standing for hours on a crowded train, travelers do whatever it takes to see loved ones.

With commuters and migrant workers returning home, the government expects about three billion journeys to take place this year..

3. It’s not just one day

Lunar New Year lasts 15 days.

It’s an action-packed holiday – you can bet on horse races, watch parades, bargain in bazaars and fight for prime worship spot at the temple.

4. It’s a season of superstitions

During LNY, you live like a college student on the first day – which means no showers, laundry or cleaning.

Above all, there’s no taking out the trash – doing so is said to wash away your luck and prosperity.

You hang out with family (especially in-laws) on the second day, which is considered the beginning of the year.

On the third day, visiting friends and family is frowned upon, because it’s a day prone to arguments.

5. You can rent a boyfriend

Lunar New Year can be rough for singles, especially females.

Various Chinese websites have offered fake boyfriend/girlfriend rentals, so parents and relatives can finally stop nagging.

Renting a bogus marriage prospect ranges from RMB 500 ($77) to 6,000 ($925) per day.

Some packages come with “a free embrace, hand holding and a goodbye kiss on the cheek,” as well as a list of additional specific service charges.

6. Odd linguistic customs are observed

In parts of China, there are a few things you can and can’t do over the Lunar New Year holiday – simply because of how they sound.

Footwear purchases are off limits for the entire lunar month, as the term for shoes (haai) sounds like losing and sighing in Cantonese.

You can however, turn the Chinese character for luck (fu) upside down to make “dao” (which sounds like arrival) and put it on your door to bring in good fortune for the new year.

7. Firecrackers are for scaring away monsters

A boy uses sparklers to celebrate Chinese Lunar New in Beijing, China (2005). In China, fireworks were traditionally used to ward off evil spirits.
Watch how a firework is made
02:13 - Source: CNN

Legend says the half-dragon, half-lion monster “Nian” comes out of hiding and attacks people (especially children) during the Lunar New Year.

His weakness? Sensitive ears.

In the old days, people would light bamboo stalks on fire to frighten the monster.

Nowadays, you can watch spectacular fireworks display along the Hong Kong waterfront or play with firecrackers in a Beijing hutong.

8. Wearing red is critical

Red is associated with luck and prosperity, but it’s used mainly for protective purposes.

In addition to being spooked by loud noises, “Nian” is frightened by the color red, which explains all the red you see on Lunar New Year decorations.

Interestingly, the Cantonese term for pants (fu) sounds exactly like the word for wealth. Meaning you can’t go wrong with red underpants.

9. It’s a time for sweets

Food is an important part of the celebrations. Here, dumplings are prepared Lunar New Year.

Food is central to all Chinese festivals, but sugary snacks are especially important for LNY, since they sweeten up prospects for the coming year.

Traditional holiday treats include nian gao (rice pudding), babaofan (eight treasure rice), jau goks (crispy dumplings), candied fruits and seeds.

10. It has its own movie genre

China and Hong Kong have a film genre called “hesuipian” devoted to Lunar New Year.

The films are usually illogical, uplifting comedies, with a focus on families and happy endings to make viewers feel warm and fuzzy. Similar to Christmas movies, really.

Holiday favorites include the “All’s Well, Ends Well” series (the 1992 classic stars Stephen Chow and Maggie Cheung), “Fat Choi Spirit” and “It’s a Mad Mad World.”

11. Customs are flexible

To go with HongKong-China-NewYear-astrology-lifestyle by Aaron TAM 
In this picture taken on January 27, 2014, a woman waits for customers at a stall of a Chinese New Year fair in Hong Kong. With the Year of the Snake slithering into history, they say that the incoming Lunar New Year beginning on January 31 is going to be the kind of horse that you shouldn't stand behind -- because it incorporates the volatile element of fire. AFP PHOTO / Philippe LopezPHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images
The beloved traditions of Lunar New Year
03:53 - Source: CNN

Customs and superstitions aren’t set in stone.

Banning shoes for the entire lunar month?

That depends on how you read the rules – the word for shoe might sound like sighing, but it also sounds like harmony (hexie).

Not showering for the sake of Lunar New Year?

In the end, Lunar New Year is really about having a great time with family and friends, so many opt not to sweat the details.