Chinese
New Year In Brief
Tsingtao Beer Celebrates Year of the Dog
Legend
Of Chinese New Year
The origin
of Chinese New Year is attributed to the legend of a monster beast
that would swallow people whole. The beast feared the color red
and loud noise. So to scare him away, the people would put up red
paper and set off firecrackers. These days, people have long forgotten
the legend. They just think the color and sound add to the excitement
of the Chinese New Year celebration.
Tradition
Even though
the height of Chinese New Year lasts only two or three days including
the New Year's Eve, the New Year season extends from the mid-twelfth
month of the previous year to the middle of the first month of the
new year. A month before the New Year is a good time for business.
People buy presents, decoration material, food, and clothing.
The
Eve of the New Year is carefully observed. Supper is a feast. Every
light is supposed to be kept on the entire night. At midnight, the
sky is emblazoned with fireworks, and the streets with firecrackers.
During
and several days following the New Year's day, people are visiting
each other, exchanging gifts. The New Year atmosphere is brought
to an anti-climax 15 days later with the Festival of Lights, an
occasion of lantern shows and folk dances. The Lantern Festival
marks the end the New Year season, and afterwards life becomes routine
once again.
Facts
-
Chinese
New Year is celebrated on the first day of the Chinese Lunar
Calendar. Each year is named after one of 12 animals according
to the Chinese zodiac.
-
The
celebration ends on the fifteenth day.
-
The
Chinese like to greet each other with "Gung
Hay Fat Choy." This means "Happy
and Prosperous New Year."
Chinese
New Year Colors
You probably
guessed correctly: the favorite colors during Chinese New Year are
RED and GOLD. Red symbolizes happiness, while Gold symbolizes wealth.
The
Year Of The Dog
The
Year of the Dog begins January 29, 2006, and runs through February
17, 2007. The Year of the Dog is synonymous with being trustworthy,
principled, intelligent, honest, attractive and loyal. The Dog's
domestic character will bring harmony to home life, patriotism
to one's country and unwavering focus to whatever cause you wish
to support.
Chinese
Zodiac
The Chinese Zodiac
classifies people under twelve animal signs, based on the year in
which they were born. To find out what kind of "animal"
you are, enter your birth date below, then click the Submit button. *NOTE:
The dates must be entered in the format below and between 1/31/1900
- 12/31/2007.
