Tomorrow, January 23rd, marks another New Moon, it also marks the Chinese New Year!
In Chinese tradition, each year is dedicated to a specific animal. The Dragon, Horse, Monkey, Rat, Boar, Rabbit, Dog, Rooster, Ox, Tiger, Snake, and Ram are the twelve animals that are part of this tradition. In 2012, the Dragon is welcomed back after the 2011 year of the Rabbit. Each of these animals are thought to bestow their characteristics to the people born in their year.
While the Year of the Rabbit was characterized by calm and tranquility, the Year of the Dragon will be marked by excitement, unpredictability, exhilaration and intensity. The Rabbit imbues people with a sense of cautious optimism, but people respond to the spirit of the Dragon with energy, vitality and unbridled enthusiasm, often throwing all caution to the wind.
STORY OF CHINESE NEW YEAR
Being familiar with the Chinese New Year story helps explain the use of loud firecrackers in the Chinese New Year parade. The story also sheds light on the Chinese tradition of hanging bright red chun lian around the doors of their homes during the New Year. The fifteen day celebration, which is also known as the Spring Festival, takes place between the 1st and the 15th day of each New Year.
Nian and the Jade Emperor of Heaven
It is said that a hideous monster by the name of Nian terrorized the ancient peoples of China. Although the Nian lived in the mountainous regions of the country, it entered villages when hungry and devoured both humans and their beasts in one bite. The people tried to defend themselves; however they were no match for the Nian.
The Monster, Nian
The Jade Emperor of Heaven, seeing that the Nian held the potential for destroying all of humanity, wisely prohibited the Nian from leaving its home in the mountains except for the 1st and 15th day of each New Year. During those days the Nian would consume those who had failed to shut themselves safely away in their homes.
In some versions there was a wise old man who provided a solution; in other versions the old man is actually a god sent from Heaven to help the villagers; and in yet another telling the villagers themselves devise a plan for getting rid of the Nian. No matter who is credited with providing the plan, the solution is always the same and involved scaring the monster with loud sounds, fire and the color red.
The villagers created a lot of noise by banging drums and symbols. They hung firecrackers on the ends of bamboo poles to confuse the Nian with fire and even more noise. The villagers also painted their homes red to frighten the monster.
The plan was a success, but the exact details differ from one story to the next. In one the Nian was so frightened he fled to the mountains and never returned. A second version tells of the Nian fleeing while the villagers pursued and eventually killed the Nian. Either way, the villagers were victorious and had reason to celebrate.
CHINESE DRAGON DANCE TRADITION
During the Chinese New Year, the Dragon Dance is one of the most anticipated events of the holiday. In the Chinese culture, dragons are frightening in appearance and yet benevolent in character. They are believed to possess supernatural powers and are capable of bringing good luck, life-giving rain, fertility, dignity and wisdom. It is also the symbol of imperial authority
DRAGON SIGN
Born on the following years:
1904 * 1916 * 1928 * 1940 * 1952 * 1964 * 1976 * 1988 * 2000
People born under the Dragon are passionate, brave and self-assured. At their best they are pioneering spirits; at their worst, they epitomize the old adage: Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. Dragons are generous with their resources, a tendency that at its most negative can reflect a foolhardy attitude towards money. But Dragons in general are blessed with good fortune. They are smart, enterprising and have a wicked sense of humor. They have a natural flair for fashion and are the people to consult if you want to catch up on the latest trends.
More on the zodiac sign of the Dragon here
WATER DRAGON
This Chinese New Year 2012 ushers in the Water Dragon. Water exerts a calming influence on the Dragon’s innate fire. Water Dragons are more open to other people’s opinions than other Dragons which gives them the ability to channel their personal charisma into real leadership qualities.
USA CELEBRATION OF CHINESE NEW YEAR
In the United States, parades and fireworks displays are very common, particularly in the cities with a rather large Chinese population. For example, in both San Francisco and Chicago, a long ‘dragon’ is paraded through the city streets as part of the celebrations. One can also attend cultural events and exhibitions.
Celebration in San Francisco
So while admiring the New Moon, if you can spot her, also take part in your own celebration of the Chinese New Year!
WAYS TO CELEBRATE
- Clean House - Before the New Year arrives, the Chinese consider it very important to give the house a thorough cleaning, sweeping away any bad luck that may have accumulated over the past year.
- Decorate! - Doors and window panes are also often painted red, considered to be a lucky color. In addition, people like to hang papercuts on doors and windows. (Paper cutting is an ancient Chinese art form dating back to the Han dynasty).
- Don't clean for the first few days of the New Year - if you do any sweeping during this time, you risk sweeping away your good luck.
- Offer a Sacrifice to the Kitchen God - Many families have a poster of the Kitchen God in their kitchen. The custom is to offer a ceremonial sacrifice to the Kitchen God, to make sure that he gives a good report on the family's behavior when he returns to heaven. Sticky Cake (Nian Gao) is popular, or children may rub honey on him.
- An important tradition on New Year's Eve is for families to gather together and spend the evening preparing Chinese dumplings (Jiaozi). According to Chinese Culture Guide Jun Shan, it is common to hide a coin in one of the dumplings. Whoever gets the dumpling with the coin will supposedly have good luck in the coming year.
- Give out money packets - On New Years day, children receive leisee - red packets decorated with gold symbols and filled with "lucky money".
- Serve festive foods - Throughout the New Years season, certain foods are served because they symbolize abundance and good fortune. Besides preparing special dishes, tangerines and oranges are often passed out to children and guests, as they symbolize wealth and good luck.
- Prepare a Tray of Togetherness - This is a circular or octagon-shaped tray with eight compartments, each containing symbolic foods such as lotus seeds and lychee nuts, that provides a sweet beginning to the New Year.
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