Jíxiánghùa! (or Happy Chinese New Year)

When I asked a work friend what she was doing for the weekend, she told me she is getting together with her parents and family to celebrate the Chinese New Year. I had no idea! So we looked into it, found our Chinese astrology signs (me a Rooster or Cock, ha! her a Monkey). I'd have to say they are pretty accurate. At least mine is...observant, brave, self-absorbed (me?! no...).

Anyways, I looked a little deeper so here is some interesting stuff I learned about the widely-celebrated-holiday happening on the other side of the world this weekend.

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February 18, 2007 is the first day of the Chinese new year.



Chinese calendar has been in continuous use for centuries, which predates the International Calendar (based on the Gregorian Calendar) we use at the present day which goes back only some 425 years. The calendar measures time, from short durations of minutes and hours, to intervals of time measured in months, years and centuries, entirely based on the astronomical observations of the movement of the Sun, Moon and stars.

-2007 is known as the Year of the Pig (DingHai)
-Current year is Year 4704 by the Chinese calendar.
-Chinese New Year's Eve is known as Chúxì. Chu literally means "change" and xi means "eve".
-15 days are celebrated into the new year

GREETINGS
The Chinese New Year is often accompanied by loud, enthusiastic greetings, often referred to as "Jíxiánghùa".

FESTIVITIES
The Chinese Year celebrations are marked by visits to kin, relatives and friends, and the liberal use of the color red. Red packets are given to juniors and children by the married and elders.

MYTHS
According to legend, in ancient China, the nián, a man-eating beast from the mountains, could silently infiltrate houses to prey on humans. The people later learned that the nian was sensitive to loud noises and the color red, so they scared it away with explosions, fireworks and the liberal use of the color red. These customs led to the first New Year celebrations. Guò nián, which means to celebrate the new year, literally means the passing of the nian beast.

SUPERSTITIONS: GOOD LUCK
-Opening windows and/or doors is considered to 'bring in' the good luck of the new year.

SUPERSTITIONS: BAD LUCK
-Buying shoes, pants, books and getting a hair-cut is all considered bad luck for different reasons.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year