Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year

Not only does this Sunday (February 14th) happen to be Valentines Day it also is the celebration of the Chinese New Year. We have all eaten Chinese food (and love it way too much), but what do you know of how the Chinese celebrate the New Year and why does it fall differently from our New Year?

Chinese New Year is based on the Chinese Lunar calendar and is 2,640 years older than our very own calendar and the Chinese New Year never begins on January 1st. Each New Year is based on the date of the New Moon in Aquarius and can begin between January 1st and February 18th. Each year is named after an animal, having twelve in the calendar, which cycles again after 12 years. The Chinese say that the animal ruling the year you were born will influence your life.

Which animal are you?

The Chinese celebrate the New Year in a grand way.

The Chinese also take the time before the festivities begin and do a thorough cleaning of the their homes to "sweep" away any ill-fortune and to bring in the new year clean in hopes of good luck coming their way in the new year and to be forgiving of grudges and seek peace for all.

Traditionally, on New Years Eve, you might find the family celebrating together with a large feast and ending the night in a great show of fireworks and parades.

The Next morning the children will great their parents by wishing them a healthy and happy new year and in return the children would receive money in red envelopes, representing good luck and fortune.

Much like how the rest of the country celebrates the New Year, the Chinese take special note about centering their new years celebration about forgiveness of others and of wrongs done and to wish only the best for each others lives in the new year.

Happy New Year!