Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year
By the Chinese lunar calendar, February 7, 2008 is the first day of the Chinese New Year which is year 4706. It occurs on the first day of the New Year containing a new moon and ends on the Lantern Festival 14 days later. The Chinese lunar calendar has 12 animal signs that cycle annually, Wu Zhi, 2008 is the Year of the Rat.
Chinese New Year is a time for celebrating, feasting, and visiting family. Chinese New Year food can be symbolic and carry special significance. For example Spring Rolls and clams symbolize both symbolize wealth, Noodles represent long life and it is considered bad luck to cut them, whereas serving a whole chicken symbolizes family togetherness. Fish “Yu” sounds similar to the words for wish and abundance therefore it is customary to serve fish at the end of the Chinese New Year’s Eve to symbolize abundance in the coming year.
Good Luck Superstitions.
Clean House—customary to clean house to sweep away any bad luck that may have accumulated over the past year. But don’t clean for the first few days of the New Year—you may risk sweeping away your good luck.
Open windows and doors to bring in good luck in the New Year.
Eat candy to ensure a “sweet” year.
Leave lights on overnight on New Years Eve to scare away spirits of misfortune that may bring bad luck.
Do not cut your hair during New Year period it is cutting away “prosperity”.