A Happy Chinese & Lunar New Year. This year's Chinese New Year is February 10th, 2012 - The Year of the Snake.
Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar.
Breathing Fire into the New Year
Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal's year would have some of that animal's personality. Those born in dragon years are innovative, brave, and passionate. Salvador Dali, John Lennon, and Mary-Louise Parker were all born in the year of the dragon.
The lantern festival is held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Some of the lanterns may be works of art, painted with birds, animals, flowers, zodiac signs, and scenes from legend and history. People hang glowing lanterns in temples, and carry lanterns to an evening parade under the light of the full moon.
In many areas the highlight of the lantern festival is the dragon dance. The dragon—which might stretch a hundred feet long—is typically made of silk, paper, and bamboo. Traditionally the dragon is held aloft by young men who dance as they guide the colorful beast through the streets. In the United States, where the New Year is celebrated with a shortened schedule, the dragon dance always takes place on a weekend. In addition, many Chinese-American communities have added American parade elements such as marching bands and floats.
Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar.
Breathing Fire into the New Year
Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal's year would have some of that animal's personality. Those born in dragon years are innovative, brave, and passionate. Salvador Dali, John Lennon, and Mary-Louise Parker were all born in the year of the dragon.
Fireworks and Family Feasts
At Chinese New Year celebrations people wear red clothes, decorate with poems on red paper, and give children "lucky money" in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which according to legend can drive away bad luck. The fireworks that shower the festivities are rooted in a similar ancient custom. Long ago, people in China lit bamboo stalks, believing that the crackling flames would frighten evil spirits.The Lantern Festival
In China, the New Year is a time of family reunion. Family members gather at each other's homes for visits and shared meals, most significantly a feast on New Year's Eve. In the United States, however, many early Chinese immigrants arrived without their families, and found a sense of community through neighborhood associations instead. Today, many Chinese-American neighborhood associations host banquets and other New Year events.The lantern festival is held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Some of the lanterns may be works of art, painted with birds, animals, flowers, zodiac signs, and scenes from legend and history. People hang glowing lanterns in temples, and carry lanterns to an evening parade under the light of the full moon.
In many areas the highlight of the lantern festival is the dragon dance. The dragon—which might stretch a hundred feet long—is typically made of silk, paper, and bamboo. Traditionally the dragon is held aloft by young men who dance as they guide the colorful beast through the streets. In the United States, where the New Year is celebrated with a shortened schedule, the dragon dance always takes place on a weekend. In addition, many Chinese-American communities have added American parade elements such as marching bands and floats.
According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2013 is the
Year of the Snake, which begins on February 10, 2013 and ends
on January 30, 2014. The Snake is the sixth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12
Animal Signs. It is the enigmatic, intuitive, introspective, refined and
collected of the Animals Signs. Ancient Chinese wisdom says a Snake in the
house is a good omen because it means that your family will not starve. People
born in the Year of the Snake are keen and cunning, quite
intelligent and wise. They are great mediators and good at doing
business. Therefore, you should have good luck if you were born in the
Year of the Snake. (Please click the following images for more
information.)
This is a year of water Snake, and all
things will be possible. Saving money and being thrifty should be your top
priorities. Delusion and deception are common in the year of water Snake. Stay
alert! To gain the greatest benefits from this year, you must control spending
and use your talents wisely. If you are planning to get married or to begin a
business partnership, be sure to thoroughly investigate the other person's
finances and background before you legalize the alliance.
