CHINESE NEW YEAR
TRADITIONAL CELEBRATION OF THE CHINESE NEW YEAR
Of all the traditional Chinese festivals, the new Year was perhaps the most elaborate, colorful, and important. This was a time for the Chinese to congratulate each other and themselves on having passed through another year, a time to finish out the old, and to welcome in the new year. Common expressions heard at this time are: GUONIAN to have made it through the old year, and BAINIAN to congratulate the new year.
TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF
The Chinese New year is celebrated on the first day of the First Moon of the lunar calendar. The corresponding date in the solar calendar varies from as early as January 21st to as late as February 19th. Chinese New Year, as the Western new Year, signified turning over a new leaf. Socially, it was a time for family reunions, and for visiting friends and relatives. This holiday, more than any other Chinese holiday, stressed the importance of family ties. The Chinese New year's Eve dinner gathering was among the most important family occasions of the year.
SWEEPING OF THE GROUNDS
Preparations for the Chinese New Year in old China started well in advance of the New Year's Day. The 20th of the Twelfth Moon was set aside for the annual housecleaning, or the "sweeping of the grounds". Every corner of the house must be swept and cleaned in preparation for the new year. SpringCouplets, written in black ink on large vertical scrolls of red paper, were put on the walls or on the sides of the gate-ways. These couplets, short poems written in Classical Chinese, were expressions of good wishes for the family in the coming year. In addition, symbolic flowers and fruits were used to decorate the house, and colorful new year pictures (NIAN HUA) were placed on the walls (for more descriptions of the symbolism of the flowers and fruits).
HISTORY OF CHINESE NEW YEAR …
The Lunar New Year dates from 2600 BC, when the Emperor Huang Ti introduced the first cycle of the zodiac. Because of cyclical lunar dating, the first day of the year can fall anywhere between late January and the middle of February. This year, it falls on February 9, 2005 - Lunar Year 4703...the year of the Rooster.
THE YEAR OF THE ROOSTER
The Year of the Monkey's optimism is carried over to the Year of the Rooster, but definitely, it is not the year for get-rich schemes. At all costs, one must try to resist the great temptation to join wildgoose chases. Politics will adhere to hardline policies and governments will flex muscles at each other. But, there is nothing to worry about because it's just for show. Wood will tone down the usually very colorful rooster but it will still remain ostentatious. There will be lots of arguments on all fronts -- in business, in romance and even in the home. But these arguments will cause no permanent damage to anyone. Cockiness will be the order of the day but the rooster rests at night. Because efficiency is the byword of the Year of the Rooster, nobody will really go hungry. It is, however, suggested that people should keep their eyes open and their mouths closed. It is a year when nerves can be frayed but pockets won't be empty.
