Chinese New Year 2010 The Year of the Tiger Celebrate February 14 - 28, 2010

Chinese New Year Facts from Hallmark

Each year, the Chinese New Year celebration falls on the date of the first new moon on the Chinese lunar calendar, which can be in late January or early to mid-February.

Arrival of the New Year is an important celebration on the Chinese calendar. It’s a time for cleaning house, repaying debts, enjoying feasts, distributing “laisee” packets (red envelopes that hold gifts of money), remembering ancestors, and renewing family ties. The festival lasts for at least 15 days, until Yuen Sui, or Feast of the Lantern.

The 12-year cycle in the Chinese calendar recognizes each of a dozen animals in the Chinese zodiac – rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. 2010 is the Year of the Tiger.

The New Year also is considered “everyone's birthday,” a day on which all become a year older and gift giving is prevalent. “Gong Xi Fa Cai” is a typical greeting and means “wishing you luck and prosperity.”

Legends surrounding the origins of the ancient holiday abound. One well-known story says the word “nian” (or “year”) was the name of a man-eating dragon. Nian terrorized the country until a wise man convinced the dragon to eat other beasts, then advised the people to put red decorations on windows and doors to scare away Nian, in case the dragon changed his mind

Families put up red paper decorations, set off firecrackers, and beat drums and gongs in parades to scare away Nian. Houses may be decorated with symbolic flowers, fruits and colorful pictures to welcome the New Year.

The color red symbolizes the celebration and gold appears as a tribute to the brilliance of Chinese culture. Peach blossoms, narcissus and chrysanthemum all have symbolic value for a New Year of prosperity, good health and happiness.

Wishing business associates wealth, prosperity, and good fortune is a common activity associated with Chinese New Year.
 

During Chinese New Year people hang small messages or wishes called Hui Chun in and around their homes and offices, hoping for good fortune during the year. There are many different Hui Chun depending upon the occasion and circumstance. There are Hui Chun asking for sufficient food, domestic harmony, special wishes for the elderly and some wishing students good luck in their studies.