春节 (chūn jié) literally means 'Spring Festival' — 春 (chūn) means 'spring', and 节 (jié) means 'festival' or 'holiday'. It is the most important traditional holiday in Chinese culture, marking the beginning of the lunar new year. Celebrations typically last 15 days, beginning on the first day of the first lunar month and ending with the Lantern Festival.

The festival is deeply rooted in family, renewal, and auspicious symbolism: people clean homes to sweep away bad luck, reunite with relatives, give red envelopes (hóngbāo) containing money for good fortune, set off fireworks, and enjoy special foods like dumplings and nián gāo. Though often called 'Chinese New Year' in English, 春节 specifically refers to this cultural and seasonal celebration—not just the calendar date—and carries rich historical, agricultural, and spiritual significance.