Chinese Lunar New Year
An article written by Jane Yee
Chinese people all over the world (and other Orientals also) celebrate the Lunar New Year, while the Western world observes the Solar New Year based on the earth’s rotation around the sun. The Lunar New Year comes on the first new moon after the Winter Solstice. It may come as early as late January or as late as the beginning of March. The lunar calendar, as calculated by the Chinese, started in the 27th century B.C.
According to legend, Buddha called the animals of the forest to come to a meeting. They arrived in this order. First came the Rat, then the Ox, the Tiger, the Hare, the Dragon, the Snake, the Horse, the Ram, the Monkey, the Rooster, the Dog, and the Boar, and the years were named in that order. (Actually, the Ox came first with the Rat riding on his ear. As they approached Buddha, the Rat jumped down and got there first). There were twelve animals and every twelve years, there is a complete rotation. The year 1982 is the year of the Dog 4680. The Chinese have had a recorded history for that many years, a much longer period than that of Western civilization! You can find the animal sign for each year from this chart:
Animal Signs of the Lunar Year
Chinese people all over the world (and other Orientals also) celebrate the Lunar New Year, while the Western world observes the Solar New Year based on the earth’s rotation around the sun. The Lunar New Year comes on the first new moon after the Winter Solstice. It may come as early as late January or as late as the beginning of March. The lunar calendar, as calculated by the Chinese, started in the 27th century B.C.
According to legend, Buddha called the animals of the forest to come to a meeting. They arrived in this order. First came the Rat, then the Ox, the Tiger, the Hare, the Dragon, the Snake, the Horse, the Ram, the Monkey, the Rooster, the Dog, and the Boar, and the years were named in that order. (Actually, the Ox came first with the Rat riding on his ear. As they approached Buddha, the Rat jumped down and got there first). There were twelve animals and every twelve years, there is a complete rotation. The year 1982 is the year of the Dog 4680. The Chinese have had a recorded history for that many years, a much longer period than that of Western civilization! You can find the animal sign for each year from this chart:
Animal Signs of the Lunar Year
People born in a certain animal year will share the attributes of that particular animal. For example:
People born during the year of the Rat are blessed with great personal charm and a taste for the good life. They
possess self control which restrains a quick temper.
Ox people have a calm, patient nature. They are intelligent, but can be independent and stubborn.
Tiger people are thoughtful and sympathetic friends. They are a powerful and dangerous enemy. In their careers, they are both deep thinkers and careful planners.
Hare people are most successful. They are patient and shy, but can be moody and conceited.
Dragon people are born leaders. They are perceptive and brave, but often stubborn and too emotional.
Snake people are wise, enthusiastic, and very charming.
Horse people are self-sufficient, much admired, cheerful and talkative.
Ram people are aesthetic, refined, and are talented in the arts.
Monkey people are creative, unique, and curious. They enjoy the good life and they are mischievous.
Rooster people are hard-working, intelligent, and brave. Most are idealistic and self-centered, yet are capable of attracting close and loyal friends.
Dog people are known for their loyalty and honesty. They can be trusted explicitly.
Boar people have great inner strength and are relaxed about life. They are courteous and have a driving ambition which leads to success.
New Year is a time of renewal and great expectations. Women clean their homes thoroughly and replenish their
supplies of rice, oil, dried vegetables, dried sea foods, rare herbs, sausages, pickled eggs, candied fruits, nuts and everything else.
Like little children expecting the proverbial “Santa Claus”, everyone is on good behavior. It is time to make new clothes for each member of the family. Colorful clothes for the young and more elegant, but subtle, tones for adults. If debts have been incurred, they must be settled. One must begin the New Year with a “clear conscience” and a “clean slate”.
Red is the color of happiness and is used extensively in decorating the home. Bowls of oranges, tangerines, and
sweetmeats are set on the tables. They could include candied ginger, coconut slivers, melon seeds, candied melon rinds, licoriced lemons and sugar plums.
Children must be ever so polite, addressing elders by their given titles and wishing them prosperity and success in the New Year. They look forward to receiving red packets of money, “lai see”, from parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and adult friends to buy whatever they fancy.
People born during the year of the Rat are blessed with great personal charm and a taste for the good life. They
possess self control which restrains a quick temper.
Ox people have a calm, patient nature. They are intelligent, but can be independent and stubborn.
Tiger people are thoughtful and sympathetic friends. They are a powerful and dangerous enemy. In their careers, they are both deep thinkers and careful planners.
Hare people are most successful. They are patient and shy, but can be moody and conceited.
Dragon people are born leaders. They are perceptive and brave, but often stubborn and too emotional.
Snake people are wise, enthusiastic, and very charming.
Horse people are self-sufficient, much admired, cheerful and talkative.
Ram people are aesthetic, refined, and are talented in the arts.
Monkey people are creative, unique, and curious. They enjoy the good life and they are mischievous.
Rooster people are hard-working, intelligent, and brave. Most are idealistic and self-centered, yet are capable of attracting close and loyal friends.
Dog people are known for their loyalty and honesty. They can be trusted explicitly.
Boar people have great inner strength and are relaxed about life. They are courteous and have a driving ambition which leads to success.
New Year is a time of renewal and great expectations. Women clean their homes thoroughly and replenish their
supplies of rice, oil, dried vegetables, dried sea foods, rare herbs, sausages, pickled eggs, candied fruits, nuts and everything else.
Like little children expecting the proverbial “Santa Claus”, everyone is on good behavior. It is time to make new clothes for each member of the family. Colorful clothes for the young and more elegant, but subtle, tones for adults. If debts have been incurred, they must be settled. One must begin the New Year with a “clear conscience” and a “clean slate”.
Red is the color of happiness and is used extensively in decorating the home. Bowls of oranges, tangerines, and
sweetmeats are set on the tables. They could include candied ginger, coconut slivers, melon seeds, candied melon rinds, licoriced lemons and sugar plums.
Children must be ever so polite, addressing elders by their given titles and wishing them prosperity and success in the New Year. They look forward to receiving red packets of money, “lai see”, from parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and adult friends to buy whatever they fancy.
Lai See
The first meal served in the New Year is a vegetarian meal, often called “Buddha’s Feast”. It is what the Buddhist monks eat. It may consist of bean cake, vermicelli, dried lily buds, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots and black mushrooms.
With the proper combination of seasonings and sauces, this can be a most delectable dish.
Most people stay home on New Year’s Day, a sign of family unity. Firecrackers are set off to ward off the “evil”. Lion dancers prance down the street and tease their followers. Spectators offer coins and paper money for encouragement.
Theatricals and visitations are in order for the next couple weeks. Each family will entertain and have dinner with close friends and relatives. Each family association, people from the same district in China and bearing the same surname, has a spring banquet. It is also customary for the young people to sponsor a Chinese Dinner Dance at a large restaurant or hall for all to enjoy.
Much of these traditions are still observed, though more and more, the young people observe only the Solar New Year of the western world. For those Orientals who love the traditional rites, celebrating two holidays are twice the fun.
Copyright 2006 - Yee Fung Toy Association of Detroit, MI
With the proper combination of seasonings and sauces, this can be a most delectable dish.
Most people stay home on New Year’s Day, a sign of family unity. Firecrackers are set off to ward off the “evil”. Lion dancers prance down the street and tease their followers. Spectators offer coins and paper money for encouragement.
Theatricals and visitations are in order for the next couple weeks. Each family will entertain and have dinner with close friends and relatives. Each family association, people from the same district in China and bearing the same surname, has a spring banquet. It is also customary for the young people to sponsor a Chinese Dinner Dance at a large restaurant or hall for all to enjoy.
Much of these traditions are still observed, though more and more, the young people observe only the Solar New Year of the western world. For those Orientals who love the traditional rites, celebrating two holidays are twice the fun.
Copyright 2006 - Yee Fung Toy Association of Detroit, MI