From carving on wood to “flying cards” in red envelopes, how people expressed their New Year’s greeting, or “bainian” in ancient China
People across China have been flooded with one of the most cherished traditions of the Chinese New Year—bainian (拜年) messages, or New Year greetings, over the past few days. From simple wishes like “新年快乐 (xīnnián kuàilè, Happy New Year)” to mass-forwarded group chat greetings and heartfelt reflections on life’s progress over the past year, the exchange of bainian messages has become as emblematic of the New Year as crowded train platforms, pork curing in the open air, and joyous family dinners. While this year’s trend sees people using AI platforms to generate clever bainian messages, the tradition of New Year greetings dates back thousands of years. Its history reflects a fascinating journey of technological innovation, societal change, and cultural adaptation.
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