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Traditionally called the Spring Festival, the Lunar New Year remains the biggest celebration of the year in Taiwan. This festival is observed in various stages for a full month from the 16th day of the 12th month, although offices and shops generally close for only a week around the New Year’s Day.
At the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, the entire island suddenly reverberates to the staccato explosions of millions of firecrackers and skyrockets as every temple and household in Taiwan lights the fuses which will frighten evil spirits from their threshold, insuring an auspicious start of the New Year. The Chinese invented gunpowder for this very purpose over 1,000 years ago. The phrase to offer all your friends and aquaintances whenever and wherever you encounter them during this period is "kung-shee-fa-tsai" which means " I wish you happiness and prosperity" .