Chinese New Year

Where in the world is China?

Ni Hao Kai-Lan

Chinese Language Let’s learn Chinese! Hello! Happy New Year! “Ni Hao” 你 好 Happy New Year! “Gong Xi Fa Cai” 恭 禧 發 財

What is Chinese New Year? The most important traditional festival in Chinese culture Big celebrations all over China Fireworks Dragon Dancing Lion Dancing Lots of food Decorations Family time Falls on a different day each year, based on the sun and the moon. End of winter and beginning of spring. Farmers start planting. It is also called Spring Festival. Everything you do on New Years should represent good fortune.

Getting ready BEFORE NEW YEAR's EVE The celebration actually starts on New Year's Eve with the reunion dinner. By New Year’s Eve, you should have done the following: Clean the entire home to get rid of all the things that are associated with the old year. Put away all brooms and brushes. Pay all your debts. Resolve differences with family members, friends, neighbors and business associates. Buy the following: - red money envelopes - oranges and/or tangerines - circular candy tray - flowers (especially plum blossom, peach blossom, water lily) - a new set of clothes and shoes for children, preferably something red or orange. Get new dollar bills from the bank. Insert the new dollar bills into the red envelopes. Now the red envelope is called a lee see or lucky money envelope.

New Year’s Eve Get together with close family members (not including married daughters and their families) for the "reunion" dinner. Pay respect to ancestors and household gods. Acknowledge the presence of ancestors because they are responsible for the fortunes of future generations. Open every door and window in your home at midnight to let go of the old year.

New Year’s Day Decorate your home with symbols of good fortune. Here are some suggestions: - Colors: Bright red (happiness); gold/orange (wealth & happiness). - Fruits: Oranges and tangerines (good health & long life); tangerines with leaves intact (long lasting relationships; fruitful and multiply as in having children); persimmons (happiness and wealth). - Circular candy tray (candy for sweet and circular for togetherness). - Flowers: If flowers bloom on New Year’s Day, it will be a prosperous year. - Red banners or couplets with New Year wishes and symbols of good fortune in gold.

Lantern Festival Last day of the celebrations: 15th day

Food Lots of eating! Dumplings Fish Spring rolls

DO’s & DON'Ts on NEW YEAR’s DAY: - Greet others with "Gung Hey Fat Choy" which means "Wishing You Prosperity and Wealth". - Give two lee see’s to each child. Because happiness comes in two’s, do not just give one. This is your way of passing good luck to the next generation. Business owners also give lee see’s to employees and associates. - Wear brand new clothes - preferably in red. Children should wear new clothes and new shoes. - Don’t wash your hair. - Don’t sweep the floor. - Don’t greet people who are in mourning. - Don’t drop your chopsticks. - Don’t say the number ‘four’ (Chinese homonym for death) or mention death. - Don’t borrow or lend money. As you prepare for this important holiday, think of the changes you want to make in your life ... perhaps spend more time with your family, reduce your credit card debts or pursue a new interest. Gung Hey Fat Choy ... and Happy New Year

Year of the ….. Monkey, Snake, Horse, Rooster, Dragon, Goat, Tiger, Rabbit, Dog, Pig, Rat, Ox

2012: Year of the Dragon

Meaning of the Dragon Dragons are the mightiest of all the animals of the zodiac, so Dragon years are a very special! In Chinese astrology the dragon was seen as a powerful almighty king because it was made up of different parts of animals such as a tiger, fish, snake and an eagle. The Chinese dragon was not seen as a a bad guy - rather a symbol of power, superiority and rule. Even now, the Dragon is an important symbol. You can see many sculptures and carvings of the dragon. Even today, the Chinese think of power and wisdom when they think of the Dragon.

Dragon People In Chinese astrology people born in the Year of the Dragon are people who get things done. A dragon can breathe out fire so the person born in the Chinese Year of the Dragon can be a hothead. Watch out if you make them angry! However, the dragon has a soft underbelly and so in Chinese astrology the dragon person born in this Chinese Zodiac year has a "soft spot" to them. They may get angry at someone who annoys them but they also show great compassion to people in need. A dragon has a long tongue which is often seen. So in Chinese astrology the dragon person born in this Chinese Zodiac year has a sharp tongue – they will say things that can be quite sarcastic and mean. The person born in the Chinese Year of the Dragon can be quite a confronting person but if you can reach their "soft heart" they are worthwhile friends.

What sign are you? 2005: Rooster

2005: Rooster If you were born in 2005, then you were born in the Year of the Rooster. Here are some of the things the Chinese say might be true about you: Positive Character Traits: Deep thinker, confident, determined Negative Character Traits: Can be a bit of a loner, can be very outspoken

What sign are you? 2006: Dog

2006: Dog If you were born in 2005, then you were born in the Year of the Rooster. Here are some of the things the Chinese say might be true about you: Positive Character Traits: Loyal, honest, can keep a secret Negative Character Traits: Sharp tongue, hard on others

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