Did you know that the Chinese New Year (過年) began as the Hebrew Passover (逾越節)? Did you know that the red on the door posts and lintels of Chinese homes (now red banners) used to be the blood of the Passover Sacrifice? Did you know that Israelites (以色列人) settled in China shortly after the 10 Tribes were conquered and exiled by the Neo-Assyrians in year c. 722 BCE? Did you know that scattered Israelites also settled in Korea and Japan?
This work uncovers little-known evidence of a group of Israelites (בני ישראל) that settled in China in year c. 712 BCE. The Hebrew Passover (פסח) New Year combined with the Feast of Unleavened Bread (חג המצות) holiday became part of Chinese culture, and today it is known as 過年 Guò Nián “The Chinese New Year.” This is why there are certain traditions associated with the holiday, including the red on door posts and lintels and the firecrackers set off at midnight. These actions were once intended to cause the Destroyer, 年 Nián, to 過 passover (過年 Guò Nián) the homes of Chinese families in order to spare their children. Anciently, the red on the Chinese homes was the blood of the Passover lamb (see Chapter 7).
The tradition was coined “The Chinese New Year” by foreigners who misinterpreted the observance and the Chinese character 年 Nián. The foreigners incorrectly assumed that the tradition was referring to the “passover” of the year, instead of the “passover” of the Destroyer. Over the centuries, the Chinese had forgotten the original meaning of the tradition and their Israelite heritage. The “Chinese New Year” has actually never taken place at the 過 “passover” of the 年 “year” on the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar. Today, it takes place in the spring during the second month. This is because the holiday evolved from the Hebrew Passover and takes place at the time of the ancient Hebrew New Year, not the Chinese New Year.
How this all came to be is a fascinating story. It is a story supported by primary source evidence from both the Chinese (中國人) and the עברים Hebrews 希伯來人. This work includes and cites more than 1100 ancient primary sources! As you come to understand the larger historical picture, you will see the world in new and interesting ways. Things will make sense to you that didn’t before. This will be especially true if you are Asian or familiar with Asian culture and history. You will understand, in part, Asia’s Israelite heritage and that Hebrews played a much greater role in world history than was previously known.
You will also understand that the ancient belief systems of the Chinese (中國人) and the Hebrews (עברים) were remarkably similar during overlapping periods of time. Many of the differences were only linguistic, and actual beliefs and practices were the same or very similar. This was true before Israelites settled in China, Korea, and Japan. Not only did the ancient Hebrews and Chinese view and approach their head God in the same way, with the same beliefs, attitudes, and practices, including using the same names, but they also had a very similar complex system of animal, food, and drink sacrifices with which they worshiped Him. Many minute details were identical. And not only did they perform these sacrifices in the same ways, but they also did so for the same reasons. Their belief systems were very similar, sharing traditions, holidays, ceremonies, cultural heroes, and histories. And there is so much more!
