Chinese New Year Facts

Holidays/ Celebrations

By: ListMaker 10-Jan-2011

Introduction:

There are many little know Chinese New Year fact, the most interesting of which are documented below. Chinese New Year occurs in either January or February of each year. If you have Chinese friends, wish them a Happy New Year on February 3, 2011.

The Chinese New Year Follows the Lunisolar Calendar

Unlike the Gregorian calendar the US uses, the Chinese calendar is based on a lunisolar calendar which is loosely based on the cycles of the moon. This means that the date of Chinese New Year changes every year. Regardless, the first day of Chinese New Year falls on the first day of their first month, just like our New Year's Day is always January 1.

According to the Gregorian calendar, Chinese New Year always falls between January 21 and February 20th.

The following then are the Gregorian dates for Chinese New Year from 2011 to 2019:
February 3, 2011
January 23, 2012
February 10, 2013
January 31, 2014
February 19, 2015
February 8, 2016
January 28, 2017
February 16, 2018
February 5, 2019

The Chinese New Year Always Has a Symbolic Animal

Chinese zodiac also differs from US zodiac symbols in that the Chinese zodiac is made up only of animal symbols and there are 12 of them. The year one is born is attached to a particular animal and, supposedly, the traits of that animal. For example, for those of us born in 1958 (well, THERE goes a secret....), we were born in the Chinese Year of the Dog which makes sense for me as I'm a huge dog lover (just ask the 6 who currently reside with me). Qualities of those born under the Dog zodiac include being loyal, extraverted, and a good listener.

The Chinese New Year of 2011 is the year of the Rabbit. Characteristics of the Chinese Rabbit zodiac include being more private than most people and introverted. Rabbit zodiacs are generally the people who prefer to stay in the background instead of the limelight yet they are talented, well spoken and have a good ambitious nature.

If you were born in the following years, you are a Rabbit zodiac and this is your year: 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999 - sort of. Since the Chinese New Year does not follow the Gregorian calendar, it's possible to be born early in the year and still be assigned the zodiac symbol from the past year. For example, for 2011, anyone born from January 1 - February 2 is not, technically, born under the year of the Rabbit but is, instead, born in the year of the Tiger which was the Chinese New Year symbol for 2010.

Red Envelopes Contain Cash!

It's a traditional Chinese custom for the elders to give the children red envelopes which contain money as a Chinese New Year present. Money awards may be just a few dollars to over a few hundred for a lucky college student.

The color red is thought to signify fire and fire is supposed to ward off bad luck (or bring good fortunes) so it's a very good lucky thing to get those red envelopes.

Red Decorations Abound Chinese New Year Festivals

Since red is the traditional color to ward off bad luck, you might walk into a Chinese New Year celebration where everyone and everything is cloaked in red. Red chinese dragons are a particularly good luck symbol and might large ones might be hung around different rooms. Red Chinese lanterns or even napkins may add to the festive atmosphere of Chinese New Year.

And, just like we might do spring cleaning, the Chinese may thoroughly clean out their houses so that they start the New Year right.

The Chinese New Year Is Actually 15 Days!

Now, THAT'S a party. Each day of the Chinese New Year has different requirements. For example, Day 13 is a day devoted to eating just vegetarian foods to clear the stomach of all of the food they've consumer during the past two weeks.

The 15th day of Chinese New Year culminates in the Lantern Festival where each member of the family carries lit red lantern as they stroll the streets.

Final Thoughts

It's a big boost for our Chinese friends to know that we understand some customs of Chinese New Years. Delight them with their own little red envelope with just a token amount of cash and you'll have a friend for life.

Supporting Links

Give this list a high five!

Comments

Post a Comment

pamperedpen 12/18/2011
Flag This Comment

Great list of facts about Chinese New Year. H5
snowfence 6/22/2011
Flag This Comment

Thanks for the Chinese New Year facts. H5
IzzyDuncan 1/10/2011
Flag This Comment

I avoid washing my hair around the New Year. This washes good luck from your home, or so the folklore claims.
ListingToTheLeft 1/10/2011
Flag This Comment

Nice list of Chinese New Year facts! I have some red envelopes for gift / money giving.