1. The Chinese New Year February 19th, 2015

2. The Origins Also known as Spring Festival
Based on the Chinese lunar calendar
Honor of Gods and Ancestors
New Year begins on Full Moon

3. Today New Year’s Eve Reunion Dinner (family gathering)
Fireworks Cleaning of the house (cleansing)
Money gifts in red envelopes
Decorating with Chinese poetry
Dragon dance

4. The Dinner New Year’s Eve dinner Family reunion Fish Dumplings
Eat at home (most)
Sometimes don’t finish their food

5. Fireworks Public events Large firecracker shows Drive away evil
Start at 12:00 pm (afternoon) on New Year

6. The Lucky Color Red Colors in Chinese culture are important
Fights off evil spirits
Symbolizes luck
Joyful/Happiness
Not allowed at Funerals
Money is given in red envelops to children and elderly (old people)

7. Dragon Dance The dragon is a symbol of good luck
Dragons are powerful and wise (smart)

8. House Cleaning “Sweep” away bad fortune and bring in good luck
They remove the old, and welcome the new
Decorate houses with lanterns and paper cuttings

9. Lantern Activity!