ALT-3 The Celebration of Chinese new Year
The Chinese New Year is the most important period in the Chinese Year. The celebration of the Chinese New Year, also called the Lunar New Year, starts always the first day of the first lunar moon and takes fifteen days. The last day (the fifteenth day of the celebration) is called "Lantern Festival" and is the first night they can see a full moon.
The Chinese New Year dates back from 2600BC and introduced by the Emperor Huang Ti. The Chinese calendar is based on the cycles of the moon and is also yearly like the Western calendar. The beginning of the year is always different but falls always between the end of January and the middle of February. Every year of the Chinese calendar is named to an animal and there are in total 12 different animals which represent the 12 years of one cycle. A complete cycle is 60 years which represent 5 cycles.
The rat is the first animal of the zodiac calendar and 2008 is the year of the rat. The next animals are in chronically order: ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and boar.There is a legend saying that all the animals needed to come to the Lord Buddha before he departed from earth. Twelve animals came to him for a farewell and he awarded these animals with the name of a year in the order they came to him.
The Lunar New year contains several celebrations:
DAY ONEThis is the day of the welcoming of the Gods of the heavens and earth. On this day they will visit the oldest members of the family which means mostly parents or grand parents. Most people don't eat meat on the first day of the Lunar New Year because there is a common belief that this will ensure a long and happy life.
DAY TWOThis is the day for praying to their ancestors and all the Gods. Married daughters will visit their parents on this day. It is also the birthday of all dogs and they need to be extra kind to dogs and feed them very well.
DAY THREE AND FOURThese two days are for son-in laws for showing respect to their parents-in-law.
DAY FIVEThis day is also called Poo Woo and the birthday of the Chinese God of Wealth. It is not allowed to visit friends or family because this will bring bad luck.
DAY SIX TO TENThis is a period when the Chinese people can visit their relatives and friends on the moment they like. The seventh day is "the day for farmers" and the birthday of humans; the eight day is used for praying to Tian Gong, the God of Heaven; the ninth day for making offers to the Jade Emperor of Heaven.
FROM DAY TEN TO TWELVEThese days are used for inviting of friends and relatives for a dinner.
DAY THIRTEENOn this day Chinese people eat only rice and mustard greens (choi sum) for cleaning their body after all the rich food of the days before.
DAY FOURTEENThis is the day which is used for the preparation of the Lantern Festival.
DAY FIFTEENThis day is the Lantern Festival. Families walk through the streets and are carrying decorative lanterns.
There are some traditions which start already before New Year's Day:
CLEANING
The cleaning the house will be done before New Year. The real meaning of the cleaning of the house is sweeping away of bad luck of the previous year. It is forbidden to clean the first days of the New Year because there is a common belief that you otherwise sweep away your good luck for the coming year.
DECORATINGAll the doors and windows are painted before New Year's Day and mostly in red: the color of good luck. It is a custom to have blooming plants and flowers during the celebrations for symbolizing rebirth and new growth. The Peach blossom and Plum Blossom are symbols for good luck; the Kumquat plants will care for prosperity and happiness: the Narcissus and Chrysanthemum predict a long life and a good health. The Bamboo is a traditional plant which can be used on every moment of the year.
THE KITCHEN GODAnother important tradition is to offer a ceremonial sacrifice to the Kitchen God. This will happen 5 days before the Chinese New Year and most families have a picture of the Kitchen God hanging above the stove. The sacrifice is a typical Chinese cake which they offer to the Kitchen God and with the intention to get a report for good behavior. It is necessary to hang every year a new picture of "the Kitchen God".
CHINESE DUMPLINGSOn New Years' eve many families celebrate the evening together by preparing Jiaozo (a kind of Chinese dumplings). It is a tradition to hide a coin in one of the dumplings and the one who gets the dumpling with the coin is supposed to have good luck in the coming year.
CHINESE DRESSINGThe Chinese people buy new clothes and shoes before New Year's Day. They will wear these clothes, which are often red with the New Year's celebrations. Red is the color of good luck and forecast a year with happiness. Also if you need a new haircut you need to do it before the Festival starts.
THE LUCKY MONEYThe Lucky money is a typical Chinese custom where relatives and friends give a red envelope filled with money to children. The red envelope is decorated with Chinese characters and symbols. This custom symbolizes the giving of good fortune and the children will use this money for buying something they like. The red color is the symbol for happiness and good luck for the coming year.
THE DRAGONThe dragon can be called the symbol" of the Chinese New Year and prospers strength, goodness and good luck. The dragon is a mythical figure which represents the combination of many animals. During the Chinese New Year celebrations there are many parades through the streets where people are dressed in clothes of dragons. They wear clothes made in brightly colored silk and decorated exorbitant. Don't be surprised if you see dragons with a length of 100 feet!
The Chinese New Year is not only celebrated in China but in every country of the world where Chinese people live. The celebrations are maybe different in you compare these in the different countries but the main principles are the same.
