Happy New Year 2016 – Year of the monkey

Happy Chinese New Year nián Let’s read and write it

Nónglì xīnnián Chinese New Year also call: The Spring Festival 春节 Chūnjié Lunar New Year 农历新年 Nónglì xīnnián It’s the most important Chinese traditional holiday. It has approximately 4000 years of history. It has been celebrated in China, South East Asia and Chinese around the world.

When is Chinese New Year in 2015 今 年 春 节 是 几 月 几 号？ Jīnnián chūnjié shì jǐ yuè jǐ hào Febuary 8th 二 月 八 号 The festival traditionally begins on the 1st day of the first lunar month, and ends on the 15th in the Chinese calendar.

The Story of Nian Monster One of the legends is that in ancient times, there was a fierce monster called Nian. Nian came every new year’s eve and ate anything insight. Soon people realized Nian was afraid of the color red, fire, and loud noises. To keep Nian away, red-paper couplets were pasted on doors, torches were lit, and firecrackers were set off throughout the night.

The traditions: 扫尘 sǎo chén Spring Cleaning 尘 chén is homophone to 陈(旧）meaning “old”

New Year Decorations

Couplets 对 联 duì lián

Paper cuttings 剪纸 Jiǎnzhǐ

年 夜 饭 nián yè fàn 团 圆 饭 tuányuán fàn Reunion dinner of the New Year eve 年 夜 饭 nián yè fàn 团 圆 饭 tuányuán fàn

守 岁 shǒu suì: Family members gather around throughout the night after the reunion dinner and reminisce about the year that has passed while welcoming arrival of the new year. Some believe that children who Shou Sui will increase the longevity of the parents.

拜 年 (bài nián) New-year visits and greetings There are many ways to practice New Year visits with gifts and greetings, wearing new clothes

Let’s practice some Greetings: 1. Happy New Year: 新 年 快 乐 Xīnnián kuàilè 新 年 好 Xīnnian hǎo 2. Congratulations and be prosperous: 恭 喜 发 财 Gōngxǐ fācái 3. Good health, and all the best： 身 体 健 康！ hēntǐ jiànkāng 万 事 如 意！Wànshì rúyì

压 岁 钱 yā suì qián 恭喜发财，红包拿来 Red envelopes: 红 包 hónɡ bāo, Or the money used to suppress or put down the evil spirit Usually are given to children and unmarried adults 恭喜发财，红包拿来 Gōngxǐ fācái, hóngbāo nálái Congratulations and be prosperous！ now you may give me a red envelope！

New Year Food Fish: 鱼 yú homophone for "surpluses"

New Year cake 年 糕 nián ɡāo Gao is homophone of high

饺 子 jiǎo zi Dumplings 元 宝 Yuán bǎo Gold ingot 饺 子 shaped like gold ingot Gold ingot 元 宝 Yuán bǎo

Sweet Rice dumplings 汤 圆 tānɡ yuán mochi

Dragon Dance and Lion Dance Dragon and lion dances are very popular during Chinese New Year. It is believed that the loud beats of the drum and the deafening sounds of the cymbals together with the face of the dragon or lion dancing aggressively can evict bad or evil spirits and bring good luck. Lion dances are also popular for opening of businesses.

Lion dance 舞狮 wǔ shī Dragon dance 舞龙 wǔ long

Lantern Festival The fifteenth day of the new year is celebrated as Lantern Festival, 元宵节 Yuánxiāo jié. sweet glutinous rice balls called 元宵Yuánxiāo, are eaten this day. Candles are lit outside houses and families walk the street carrying lighted lanterns. This day often marks the end of the Chinese New Year festivities.

Different varieties of 元 宵 yuán xiāo

灯 谜 Dēng mí 灯 笼 Dēng lóng Lantern Riddles Lantern Lantern riddles: Riddles written on cards hanging from of inside of lanterns.

猜 灯 谜 cāi dēng mí (Solve lanterns riddles)