ABOUT CHINESE NEW YEAR

The Chinese Lunar New Year is the longest chronological record in history, dating from 2600BC, when the Emperor Huang Ti introduced the first cycle of the zodiac. Like the Western calendar, The Chinese Lunar Calendar is a yearly one, with the start of the lunar year being based on the cycles of the moon. Therefore, because of this cyclical dating, the beginning of the year can fall anywhere between late January and the middle of February. This year it falls on February 9th. A complete cycle takes 60 years and is made up of five cycles of 12 years each.

The Chinese Lunar Calendar names each of the twelve years after an animal. Legend has it that the Lord Buddha summoned all the animals to come to him before he departed from earth. Only twelve came to bid him farewell and as a reward he named a year after each one in the order they arrived. The Chinese believe the animal ruling the year in which a person is born has a profound influence on personality, saying: “This is the animal that hides in your heart.”

“WISHING YOU PROSPERITY AND WEALTH”

The Chinese New Year does not fall on the same date each year, although it is always in January or February.

The Chinese New Year is an important celebration all over the world. There are similar celebrations in Japan, Korea and Vietnam known as the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival.

Long ago the current emperor determined the start of the New Year. Today celebrations are based on Emperor Han Wu Di’s almanac. It uses the first day of the first month of the Lunar Year as the start of Chinese New Year.

Legend tells of a village in China, thousands of years ago, that was ravaged by an evil monster one winter’s eve. The following year the monster returned and again ravaged the village. Before it could happen a third time, the villagers devised a plan to scare the monster away. Red banners were hung everywhere; the color red has long been believed to protect against evil. Firecrackers, drums and gongs were used to create loud noises to scare the beast away. The plan worked and the celebration lasted several days during which people visited with each other, exchanged gifts, danced and ate tasty comestibles.

Celebrations today are both literal and symbolic. Spring cleaning is started about a month prior to the new year and must be completed before the celebrations begin.

Typically red packets called Lai See Hong Bao (or Hongbao) with money tucked inside are given out as a symbol of good luck. The amount is usually an even number as odd numbers are regarded as unlucky.

Lions are considered to be good omens. The lion dance is believed to repel demons. Each lion has two dancers, one to maneuver the head, the other the back.

During the New Year celebrations people do not fight or be mean to each other, as this would bring a bad, unlucky year.

Everyone celebrates their birthday this day as well and turning one year older.

Foods during the holiday hold symbolism as well. Typically red meat is not served and one is careful not to serve or eat from a chipped or cracked plate. Fish is eaten to ensure long life and good fortune. Red dates bring the hope for prosperity, melon seeds for proliferation and lotus seeds means the family will prosper through time. Oranges and tangerines symbolize wealth and good fortune. Nian gao, the New Year’s Cake is always served. It is believed that the higher the cake rises the better the year will be. When company stops by a “prosperity tray”

is served. The tray has eight sides (another symbol of prosperity) and is filled with goodies like red dates, melon seeds, cookies and New Year Cakes.

Your Sign:

Year of the Rooster

The sign of the Rooster indicates a person who is hard-working and definite about their decisions. Roosters are not afraid to speak their minds and can therefore sometimes come across as boastful. They make good restaurant owners and world travellers. Being your own sign in the same year needs to be handled with care-traditionally people will wear something red all year round. Typically this will be a year of ups and downs for Roosters, although it is a good year to get married. Be patient this year, don t take things too seriously, and bide your time.

Famous people born in the Year Of The Rooster:

Michael Aspel, Yoko Ono,Rod Stewart, Mia Farrow, Eric Clapton

Year of the Dog

Dogs are honest and faithful to those they love but they tend to worry too much and find fault with others. They make ideal secret agents or business people. This will be a fairly steady year for dogs, without many upsets. Your career and finances both look good, although love life-wise this is a better year for females than males, who are likely to remain single if still so. Time for chasing your tails and wagging them a lot !

Famous people born in the Year Of The Dog:

Shirley MacLain, Henry Cooper, Slyvia Sims,Dolly Parton, Liza Minelli Jane Asher

Year of the Boar

People born in the Year of the Boar are honest and tolerant and make good friends, but tend to expect the same from everyone else, and more often than not they end up disappointed. They thrive in the arts as entertainers. Last year wasn’t so great for Boars, however the Year of the Rooster will be much kinder. Finances and career are both fine, although love-wise many pigs will feel a bit lonely. Lighten up a bit and try and get some quality time for yourself.

Famous people born in the Year Of The Boar:

Bamber Gascoigne, Dudley Moore, David Bowie,Elton John ,Gerry Rafferty

Year of the Rat

Rats are said to be imaginative, charming and very generous to those they love – although they do have a tendency to be quick-tempered and over-critical. They are supposed to make good writers, critics and publicists. This is a good year for Rats, although finances could get a bit messy due to your generosity, although you ll be making it consistently. Health is fine and prospects for love are excellent. Party time !

Famous people born in the Year Of The Rat:

Ron Moody, Marlon Brando, Burt Reynolds,Ursula Andress, Englebert Humperdinck

Year of the Ox

Oxen are born leaders, inspiring confidence in everyone they come into contact with. However, they can be too demanding. Methodical and good with their hands, they make fine surgeons and hairdressers. This is an average year for the Ox, a bit of mixed blessings ! Be wary of accidents, especially involving water, although work prospects are good. Love also is a bit shaky. Concentrate on your work this year and you’ll be fine.

Famous people born in the Year Of The Ox:

Jack Lemmon, Tony Benn, Charlie Drake, Shirley Bassey, Jack Nicholson

Year of the Tiger

Tigers are said to be bold and adventurous, and are bestowed with initiative and charm. However, they have a tendency to be risk takers, making them act before they think about the consequences. They tend to make good bosses, explorers or racing drivers. A good year for Tigers awaits, with everything going well for you. You ll do well in your career, your health is fine, and your love life varied. Have fun !

Famous people born in the Year Of The Tiger:

David Bailey, Michael Ball, Stanley Baxter, Chuck Berry, Richard Branson, Mel Brooks, Tom Cruise, Jodie Foster, Elliot Gould, Harriet Harman, Timothy Mo, Bruce Oldfield, Lord David Owen, Jonathan Porrit, Oliver Reed, John Schlesinger, Pam Shriver, Pamela Stephenson.

Year of the Rabbit

Rabbits are affectionate, co-operative and pleasant, with lots of friends. But they can get too sentimental and seem superficial. Ideal careers areas include law, diplomacy or the stage. Rabbits need to be cautious this year which requires careful negotiation. Sports injuries may occur, and steer clear of investments that carry risky options. Love also is full of ups and downs. Better lie low and keep out of trouble.

Famous people born in the Year Of The Rabbit:

Germaine Greer, Neil Sedaka, Francis Ford Coppola, Nanette Newman

Year of the Dragon

Dragons tend to be popular individuals who are always full of life and enthusiasm, with a reputation for being fun-loving. They make good priests, artists and politicians. An excellent year for Dragons, especially in love where you’ll be sizzling away. Be a little careful over what you eat-upset dragon tummies are on the horizon, possibly as a result of all that rich food you re eating as money flows through and into your wallet, but don’t spend it too freely.

Famous people born in the Year Of The Dragon:

Vidal Sassoon, Fats Domino, Bob Monkhouse, Jimmy Tarbuck, Al Pacino

Year of the Snake

People born in the year of the Snake are romantic and deep-thinking, wise and charming, although they tend to dismiss others too quickly and are a bit stingy with money. Ideal jobs include teaching or psychiatry. This is an awkward year for snakes, with concerns over health issues sniffles and sneezes, as well as attention to detail to your finances all being in order. Love isn t much better we’re sorry to say for single snakes, although those in relationships will sail through. A year for sticking together.

Famous people born in the Year Of The Snake:

Jean Simmons, Val Doonican, Sir Roger Banister, Burt Bacharach, Neil Diamond, Paddy Ashdown,Vivienne Westwood, Bob Dylan

Year of the Horse

If you are born in the Year of the Horse then you are amazingly hard working and very independent. Although you are intelligent and friendly, you can sometimes be a bit selfish. Careerwise you would make a good scientist or poet. This is a superb year for love for horses this year, a vibrant love life although many temptations mean you are hot to trot. Money also is rolling in a plenty and your investments pay off although healthy, watch that hedonistic lifestyle encroaching on your well-being. Time for a blast but remember those aspirin !

Famous people born in the Year Of The Horse:

Ian Cuthbertson, Robert Wagner, Rolf Harris, Helmit Kohl, Clint Eastwood,Barbara Streisand, John Thaw, Aretha Franklin

Year of the Sheep

Those born in the Year of the Sheep are said to be charming, elegant and artistic, who like material comforts. A bit of a worrier they also have a tendency to complain about things. Jobs as actors, gardeners or beachcombers would suit. A tough year fro sheep we re afraid, singles will remain unlucky in love, health will be OK, while money keeps on a consistent level. Niggles at work may come to the fore, so be docile this year and don t rock the boat.

Famous people born in the Year Of The Sheep:

Gene Hackman, Mikhail Gorbachev, Leonard Nimoy, Prunella Scales,John Major, George Harrison

Year of the Monkey

If you are born in the Year of the Monkey, you are very intelligent, well-liked by everyone, and will have success in any field you choose. Lucky old you! A decent enough year for Monkeys, good in love, with new relationships or possibly baby monkeys on the horizon. Business is good, with promotions and real estate acquisitions likely, although you need to be a bit careful health wise as last years excesses catch up with you. Enjoy the year, but chill out a bit more.

Famous people born in the Year Of The Monkey:

Sacha Distel, Elisabeth Taylor, Omar Sherif, Jimmy Page, Roger Daltrey, George Lucas

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