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The Lunar Calendar |
The Chinese calendar is a combined solar / lunar calendar that is based on the exact astronomical observations of the longitude of the sun and the phases of the moon. While a solar year consists of approximately 365.25 days, a lunar month is about 29.5 days that is the time required for the moon to complete a full phase cycle. In order to match up with the solar year, the lunar calendar has seven extra months inserted every 19 year. A Chinese New Year always begins at the second New Moon after the winter solstice, and it will always fall between January 21 and February 21 of the solar calendar. |
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| The Chinese zodiac A popular folk method in China to define the years is through the use of 12 animal signs (zodiac) in a rotating cycle. The 12 animals selected for the representation are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Hare, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Boar. It is said that a person displays the characteristics of the animal of the year in which they were born. Click this table or the diagram to find out which zodiac you belong to and your zodiac characteristics. |
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The Legend of Nian (Year) |
The Chinese New Year is the grandest festival celebrated among the Chinese people, and the celebration began with this legend: Long ago there was a monster called Nian (pronounced year in Chinese). It came out to hunt people on the first day of each month. An old wise monk taught the people to scare away the monster by beating drums and gongs, lighting fire crackers and posting red lanterns and signs at the doors. Since then, these traditions have become a means of celebrating the New Year throughout thousands years of the Chinese history. |
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| The Fire Crackers A Chinese New Year celebration would not be complete without fireworks. One legion says that the noise of the firecrackers wakes up the dragon which will fly across the sky to bring the spring rain for the crops. Other says that the noise scares away all evil spirits and misfortunes. |
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The Dragon & Lion Dance |
The Dragon is a fictitious creature. It has horns of a stag, eyes of a demon, scales of a fish, claws of an eagle, footpads of a tiger, ears of a bull and whiskers of a cat. The Chinese consider dragons a divine creature associated with strength, good fortune, wisdom and longevity. The Lion is said to be the ninth son of the dragon. It is a symbol of power and courage. It fights off evils and is considered the best guard for the royal family and regular household. Dragon and Lion dances are believed to bring luck and fortunes to the people. |
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| The Spring Couplets As a cherished Spring Festival custom, Chinese household usually hang spring couplets written in black or gold ink on red paper in short poems or 4-word phrases on wishes of prosperity, luck, happiness, good fortune, health, wealth and longevity for the New Year. |
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The Family Feast Food is always very important to the Chinese New Year celebration. Families get together at New Year Eve to enjoy big feasts with rich foods that phonetically symbolize fortune and wealth. Different foods are served according to customs at different part of China. Most popular and common foods are like fish (surplus), mushroom (success), lettuce (wealth) and chicken (richness). |
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| The Blooming Flowers & Plants Homes are decorated with blooming plants and flowers to symbolize rebirth and new growth. Flowers are believed to be symbolic of wealth and growth in one’s business and career. Some popular New Year flowers are like the peach blossom (business prospects), gladiolus (growth in one’s career), narcissus and chrysanthemum (wealth and fortune). Popular plants are like small tangerines that sound like gold and fortune phonetically. |
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The Candy Tray / The Tray of Togetherness Each family has a candy tray filled with traditional sweets and candies to serve guests. It is called “The Tray of Togetherness” in Chinese. Foods that are usually served are like the red melon seeds (grasp the money), Lotus Seeds (fertility), peanuts (longevity), candies in red and gold wraps etc. |
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| The Red Envelope / Lai See One very important tradition of the Chinese New Year is exchanging gifts. A traditional gift that is given is small red envelopes filled with “lucky money” (“lai see”). These envelopes are given to children by their family and friends. These envelopes symbolize the giving of good fortune. |
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