Chinese Horoscope
The history of the Chinese Zodiac and the dates when
the characteristics of each of the 12 animal signs applies to babies born in
that period
What are the Chinese New Year activities for
celebrating this most important festival in the Chinese calendar?
Let's start at the beginning...
In China, Chinese New Year is called the Spring Festival.
That’s because the first day of Chinese New Year falls on the start of spring.
The beginning of spring is a fresh start…
It's the start of a new year of sowing and reaping.
A wish for a good harvest in the year ahead.
(That's how the Chinese character for "year" nian2 年 came about.)
A cause for celebration!
All around the world, Chinese families... put up Chinese New Year scrolls on
both sides of the door,
set off firecrackers (It's illegal in many Chinese cities now, but people do it
anyway)
and married adults give children red envelopes filled with “lucky money”.
Chinese New Year activities begin 2-4 weeks before the "big day".
Here's what you can do to celebrate Chinese New Year.
It's what Chinese families do all over the world.
1. Clean up the house
Select a day and together with the family, clean up the house.
This ritual gets rid of bad luck in the ending year and welcomes in good luck in
the new year.
2. Send greeting cards
Send greeting cards with new year wishes to friends, relatives and colleagues.
Remember to post your greeting cards early!
3. Go shopping
Go shopping to buy new clothes for the whole family, food and sweets, and
festive home decorations.
Looking for Chinese New Year activities for kids? Go to the website below.
4. Get ready some red packets.
You'll need them later.
5. Decorate the house
Hang Chinese New Year scrolls called spring couplets on both sides of the door
to usher in good wishes for the new year.
Paste paper cuts of upside down good fortune "fu" characters, happy children and
tangerine oranges on the wall.
Make sure you have vases of flowers in the house during Chinese New Year.
They do more than just add a new year atmosphere to the home.
Living plants symbolize growth and flowers represent wealth and prosperity.
Plum blossoms can be arranged together with bamboo and pine.
They stand for endurance, nobility and longevity.
Other favorite flowers are pussy willow, azalea, peony and water lily or
narcissus.
6. Prepare the reunion dinner
Gather your family together for this most important and sumptuous meal of the
year on Chinese New Year’s eve.
Prepare a meal with auspicious dishes like chicken, fish, oysters, dumplings,
green vegetables and noodles.
They have meanings of prosperity, longevity and abundance.
I've put together some Chinese New Year recipes and a list of what different
foods symbolize at
http://www.living-chinese-symbols.com/chinese-new-year-activities.html
7. Pass the year
After a hearty meal, stay up late to “pass the year” guo4 nian2 过年, an ancient
tradition.
You can watch TV, play card games, or chat.
After midnight (or on the morning of Chinese New Year's day), give your children
the red envelopes filled with money (called “lucky money”).
Put the red packets under the pillow of children. This is said to ward off evil.
8. Send New Year greetings
Call up friends or SMS them on the morning of Chinese New Year and wish them
Happy New Year, Good Health and Prosperity.
Visit the homes of friends and relatives with two big tangerines.
Bring red packets to give to the children at the homes you're visiting.
These are eight ways to have a roaring Chinese New Year celebration with family
and friends!
Eight is the most auspicious number for Chinese people.
It means wealthy and prosperous.
Here's to your good health and prosperity in the New Year!
Anysubject gives Chinese lessons throughout the UK and beyond
via its network of Chinese speakers. We also offer Chinese lessons
online with these tutors via our excellent online service.
If you would like to see our prices
for Chinese lessons - please click here.
About The Author
Mike Mathews is a
contributing writer and editor for the popular dog breed site:
http://www.dog-breed-facts.com . He provides informative, real-world
advice and tips on dog breeds, dog health , dog grooming and more. As well
be sure to check out his free report on Dog Training.
Article Source:
www.isnare.com