History of the Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration
in the Chinese calendar. The Chinese year 4707 begins in January
2009.
One the eve of the New Year traditions and rituals are very
carefully observed in everything from food to clothing. Dinner is
usually a feast of seafood and dumplings, signifying different good
wishes. Delicacies include prawns, for liveliness and happiness,
dried oysters for all things good, raw fish salad to bring good
luck and prosperity.
At Chinese New Year celebrations people wear red clothes and
give children "lucky money" in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire,
which drives away bad luck. The fireworks used to mark the
festivities are rooted in a similar custom.
Chinese months work on the lunar calendar, each month begins on
the darkest day. New Year festivities start on the first day of the
month and continue until the fifteenth, when the moon is
brightest.
2006 the year of the Dog
Legend has it that Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on
Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each
one. From that day he declared that people born in each animal's
year would take on the personality of that animal.
This year is the year of the Dog. Those born in dog years are
loyal, kind, and generous. They will work to right wrongs and are
good at keeping secrets.