Chinese New Year Celebration

The Chinese New Year is the biggest holiday in China. It is a time when family, friends and neighbors gather to celebrate in reunion and exchange gifts. It seems like the equivalent of Christmas and The 4th of July mixed together.

The Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival. It marks the beginning of spring and occurs between January 30th and February 20th. The festival of lanterns begins 15 days after the New Year. The Chinese people welcome the first full moon.

On New Years, Chinese families thoroughly clean the house to represent cleaning out the old year and bad luck to welcome a New Year and good luck. The families eat dinner together and stay up until midnight playing games and watching TV. At midnight, the sky is lit with fireworks to represent the welcoming of the New Year and saying goodbye to the old year.

In the morning the children receive gifts. They also receive a “lucky”, red envelope known as lisee or laisee and contains money. The rest of the day is spent visiting relatives, neighbors and friends.

Each Chinese year is represented by a repeated cycle of 12 animals: the rat, ox, tiger, hare or rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram, monkey, rooster, goat, dog, and pig. This year, 2009, is the year of the Buffalo.


RAT: You are imaginative, charming, and truly generous to the person you love. However, you have a tendency to be quick-tempered and overly critical. You are also inclined to be somewhat of an opportunist. Born under this sign, you should be happy in sales or as a writer, critic, or publicist. (Born in 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008.)

BUFFALO: A born leader, you inspire confidence from all around you. You are conservative methodical, and good with your hands. Guard against being chauvinistic and always demanding your own way. The Buffalo would be successful as a skilled surgeon, general, or hairdresser. (Born in 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009.)

TIGER: You are sensitive, emotional, and capable of great love. However, you have a tendency to get carried away and be stubborn about what you think is right; often seen as a "Hothead" or rebel. Your sign shows you would be excellent as a boss, explorer, race car driver, or matador. (Born in 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010.)

RABBIT: You are the kind of person, that people like to be around affectionate, obliging, always pleasant. You have a tendency, though, to get too sentimental and seem superficial. Being cautious and conservative, you are successful in business but would also make a good lawyer, diplomat, or actor. (Born in 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011.)

DRAGON: Full of vitality and enthusiasm, the Dragon is a popular individual even with the reputation of being foolhardy and a "big mouth" at times. You are intelligent, gifted, and a perfectionist but these qualities make you unduly demanding on others. You would be well-suited to be an artist, priest, or politician. (Born in 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000.)

SNAKE: Rich in wisdom and charm, you are romantic and deep thinking and your intuition guides you strongly. Avoid procrastination and your stingy attitude towards money. Keep your sense of humor about life. The Snake would be most content as a teacher, philosopher, writer, psychiatrist, and fortune teller. (Born in 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001.)

HORSE: Your capacity for hard work is amazing. Your are your own person-very independent. While intelligent and friendly, you have a strong streak of selfishness and sharp cunning and should guard against being egotistical. Your sign suggests success as an adventurer, scientist, poet, or politician. (Born in 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954,1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014.)

GOAT: Except for the knack of always getting off on the wrong foot with people, the Goat can be charming company. Your are elegant and artistic but the first to complain about things. Put aside your pessimism and worry and try to be less dependent on material comforts. You would be best as an actor, gardener, or beachcomber. (Born in 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015.)

MONKEY: You are a vary intelligent and a very clever wit. Because of your extraordinary nature and magnetic personality, you are always well-liked. The Monkey, however, must guard against being an opportunist and distrustful of other people. Your sign promises success in any field you try. (Born in 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016.)

ROOSTER: The Rooster is a hard worker; shrewd and definite in decision making often speaking his mind. Because of this, you tend to seem boastful to others. You are a dreamer, flashy dresser, and extravagant to an extreme. Born under this sign you should be happy as a restaurant owner, publicist, soldier or world traveler. (Born in 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017.)

DOG: The Dog will never let you down. Born under this sign you are honest, and faithful to those you love. You are plagued by constant worry, a sharp tongue, and a tendency to be a fault finder, however. You would make an excellent businessman, activist, teacher, or secret agent. (Born in 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018.)

PIG: You are a splendid companion, an intellectual with a very strong need to set difficult goals and carry them out. You are sincere, tolerant, and honest but by expecting the same from others, you are incredibly naive. Your quest for material goods could be your downfall. The Pig would be best in the arts as an entertainer, or possibly a lawyer. (Born in 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019.)

What is your Chinese Zodiac? Does it match your personality?