CHINESE NEW YEAR 中國新年

To begin with a little introduction… Chinese New Year, the most important traditional Chinese holidays which is also called « Spring Festival » or «Lunar new year», begins TRADITIONALLY on the 1 st day of the first month Festival which is on the 15th day. It marks the end of the Chinese solar calendar, that’s why their new Year doesn’t fall each day on the same date. Every Chinese Year celebrates one of the twelve animals such as the snake, the rabbit… 2012 is the Dragon’s turn !!

ORIGINS A long time ago in China, villages’ population was terrified by a mythical ugly monster called « Nian ». The stories also include an old man who counsels the villagers to ward off the evil Nian by making loud noises with drums and firecrackers, hanging red paper cutouts and scrolls on their doors because for some reason, the Nian was scared of the color red. The villagers celebrate now the Chinese new year as the anniversary of the day when the Nian was conquered. ORIGINS A long time ago in China, villages’ population was terrified by a mythical ugly monster called « Nian ». The stories also include an old man who counsels the villagers to ward off the evil Nian by making loud noises with drums and firecrackers, hanging red paper cutouts and scrolls on their doors because for some reason, the Nian was scared of the color red. The villagers celebrate now the Chinese new year as the anniversary of the day when the Nian was conquered.

In Chinese culture, firecrackers are supposed to remove evil spirits. Before, they were used to scare the Nian. Now, they are also known for bringing fortune. In Chinese culture, firecrackers are supposed to remove evil spirits. Before, they were used to scare the Nian. Now, they are also known for bringing fortune.

Dragons are believed to bring good luck in so far as it’s a symbol of great power, dignity, fertility, wisdom and auspiciousness. Dragons are believed to bring good luck in so far as it’s a symbol of great power, dignity, fertility, wisdom and auspiciousness. His imperial authority is represented both by his frightening and bold appareance. People who are born under the dragon’s symbol are said to be strong, self-assured, eccentric, intellectual and passionate, among other things.

New Year’s dinner New Year’s dinner is an occasion for all family members to gather at the oldest member’s of the famaily. That’s a very important event for the Chinese who make this dinner exceptionnal. It’s a very somptuous and big dinner which contains, according to the tradition, food ingredients which are homophones with good words and things. Fish is usually eaten on the eve of Chinese New Year. The pronunciation of fish makes it a homophone for "surpluses » The NIANGO

The paper cutouts are made traditionnally to ward off bad evil spirits from the house where they’re hanged. The paper cutouts are made traditionnally to ward off bad evil spirits from the house where they’re hanged. Can Shen is the Chinese god of prosperity. He can be referred to as Zhao Gongming (Chao Kung-ming) or Bi Gan (Pi-kan ) The red envelopes which contains lucky money for children are known for bringing hope for the New Year. They exchange little gifts from the elders to the smallers such as chocolate, sweets…. Lanterns are hanged in the houses, usually red with an oval shape. It’s a custom to buy new clothes, decorate houses with flowers and expose an ancestor family portrait… CUSTOMS

New Year Days

Where it is celebrated ? Chinese New Year is celebrated in countries and territories with significant Chinese populations but also in Chinatowns elsewhere such as …

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Have you understood ?! 1) What are the two other names of the Chinese New Year ? 2) What does it mark ? 3) Who was the Nian ? 4) Give 5 symbols which represent the dragon ! 5) Where is the Chinese New Year celebrated?