Another year of good fortune is about to begin in China.
Fireworks pop higher in the sky. Dragon
dance in the streets and the city slows down to celebrate Chinese New year. In
Chinese culture it’s the most important time of the year. Rooted in traditions and customs passed down through the ages.
The celebration lasts for15
magical days full of family togetherness delicious food and good
fortune. Today Chinese New Year is built with happiness but according to legend,
it didn’t start out that way. A long long time ago in China there was a bit
scary
nasty Beast named Nian, whose name means year. He had razor-sharp teeth giant
claws and really mean growl.
Most of the time he lived in the wilderness but in the
darkest night of the year when the new moon was in the sky he would sneak into
the
village and scare everyone in sight. Even the animals. People dreaded the new moon for many many years until a wise man taught them the three things Nian was
afraid of. Loud noises fire and the color red.
The next time Nian came the
villagers
fought back. They hit their drums as loud as they could lit every firecracker they had and wore the color red from head to toe. Nian ran far away and never came back. After that, the people started celebrating the new moon instead of earing it. That celebration became a 15 day festival of family food and good
fortune called Chinese New Year.
Every Chinese New Year is always represented by one of twelve animals and the Chinese Zodiac chosen by the Jade Emperorcenturies
and centuries ago. According to legend a long time ago in China, the JadeEmperor
held a great race. The first twelve animals to reach his palace would be the winners and they would each get a year named after them in their honor.
During the race, the Ox was winning until he had to cross the rushing river the Rat was right behind him and couldn't swim very well so the kind Oxley the Rat ride on his back. As soon as they got to the other side the Rat
jumped off and scurried to the finish line to win the race. That’s why the
first year in the Chinese Zodiac calendar is a year of the Rat. Eleven other
animals reach the palace to create the 12-year cycle of the Chinese Zodiac.
It’s
said that the animal your birth year is named after can shape your personality and destiny. You might be honest like a Dagon or smart like a Monkey. When your animal takes its turn in the Zodiac cycle legend has it that your year will be full of surprises. But no matter what generally you are everyone is excited to honor these ancient traditions even in modern New Year celebrations.
Today
Chinese New Year brings families together all over the world. In fact, billions of people travel back to their homes and families in China to feast on a delicious reunion dinner with plates and plates of homemade food. Many of the foods like egg rolls noodles and shrimp mean something special. Egg
rolls symbolize wealth for the coming year because they look like bars of solid
gold. Chowmein noodles shouldn't be cut because long noodles symbolize health for a long
life. Shrimp
symbolizes happiness because the Mandarin words for shrimp and smile sounds
very similar.
As
part of the festivities lucky red envelopes called hong bao are passed out to children as well as unmarried adults. In Chinese culture, the color red symbolizes luck. In
order to receive the red envelopes well wishes are given to the eldest. Money
is inside each envelope to bring prosperity and good fortune in the coming year. During
all 15 days of Chinese New Year, it is time to reflect on the passing year and
celebrate the future.
Bright
fireworks light up the sky and huge parades line the streets until the final day of the New Year celebration the Lantern Festival and thousands of red lanterns glow in the night to bring good fortune to all.No
matter where you live you can join the festivities.
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