查看原文
其他

What is Chinese New Year?

2018-02-03 ShanghaiWOWeng

Chinese New Year is right around the corner, but what exactly is it? Most people living in Shanghai probably know pretty much everything about it by now, but just in case you don’t, here’s what you really need to know… 


WHAT IS IT?


Chinese New Year (also known as the ‘Spring Festival’ and ‘Lunar New Year’) is the most important Chinese holiday of the year. It celebrates at the turn of the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. 


WHEN IS IT?


Photo source: topchinatravel.com


Chinese New Year officially begins on February 16th, 2018, and ends on March 2nd. Public holidays are from February 15-21, with adjusted working ‘make-up’ days on February 11th and 24th.


HOW DID ALL THIS START?



Oracle bones inscribed with astronomical records lead most to believe that the ancient Chinese lunar calendar was around as early as 14th century B.C., during the Shang Dynasty. The calendar has always functioned as a guide for religious, dynastic and social practices.


The practice of celebrating Chinese New Year persisted up until 1949, when Mao Zedong and the government forbade celebration of the event in favor of the western Gregorian calendar New Year (January 1). Towards the end of the 20th century, the tradition became immensely popular once again, and in 1996, China instituted the weeklong public holiday, now known as Spring Festival. 


WHAT’S UP WITH THE ANIMALS?



The Chinese calendar also includes the Chinese zodiac, which cycles through twelve signs: the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. 

2018 brings us the Year of the Dog, but Dogs shouldn’t get too excited about that, according to travelchinaguide.com:


“In general, people with Chinese zodiac Dog sign will have a year full of challenges. Their career may face changes. The financial condition will be not as good as last year. Failed investments may lead to the unbalance of income and expenses. Most of them need to make great efforts and adapt for a long time. During the Year of Dog, they may suffer from sub-healthy body condition. Even though they feel exhausted because of the high pressure from work, they should balance well their health condition and career.”


HOW DO PEOPLE CELEBRATE?



Traditions tend to vary quite a bit depending on location, but in general, most businesses close as people travel to their hometowns to be with family. They also clean their homes, put up red posters and decorations, set off fireworks, eat particular regional foods like dumplings and give each other red envelopes with money inside. 



ANYTHING ELSE?


Yea sure, in case you’re a planner, here’s a look ahead at the zodiac animals and holiday dates from now until 2030…



Also, here are some notable people who are Dogs:


Winston Churchill, Benjamin Franklin, Bill Clinton, Herbert Hoover, Golda Meir, Voltaire, Marcel Proust, George Gershwin, Jane Goodall, Socrates, Lucy Maud Montgomery, Prince William, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Anna Paquin, Brad Renfro, Ellen DeGeneres, Heather Graham, Jessica Biel, Kelly Clarkson, Kirsten Dunst, LeAnn Rimes, Leelee Sobieski, Queen Latifah, Ryan Cabrera, Shirley McLaine, Susan Sarandon, Thora Birch, Uma Thurman, Dakota Fanning, Moises Arias, Andre Agassi, Confucius, Sun Quan (King of Wu in China’s Three Kingdoms Period 220 - 280), Li Yuan (the first emperor of the Tang Dynasty 618 - 907), Zhou Enlai (the first Premier of PRC)


Source: travelchinaguide.com


Related Articles




25 Things To Do in February


6 Ways to Be a Better You This Year

您可能也对以下帖子感兴趣

文章有问题?点此查看未经处理的缓存