Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival is celebrated when the new lunar year starts according to the Chinese calendar. This holiday is celebrated all over the world from China, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia as well as other communities around the world.
So, what exactly is Chinese New Year? It is an important holiday that has been celebrated for centuries. Festivals are held to honor ancestors as well as to welcome good luck and fortune into the new year. Traditionally, Spring Festival is celebrated for fifteen days. You would typically see dragon dances, lion dances, many lighted lanterns, as well as the color red. During the festivities red envelopes are given out to send good luck and money to others. Rather than a Christmas bonus, the Chinese hand out New Year bonuses. It is estimated that one fourth of the world’s population celebrates the Chinese New Year. According to the Chinese there are several superstitions during the New Year such as washing, sweeping or taking out the trash. Washing hair or clothes washes away their fortunes and sweeping and taking out the trash symbolizes removing the good luck from the house.
If you are interested in learning more or celebrating with your child/classroom, here are some great picture books on the Chinese New Year:
Brining in the New Year by Grace Lin
The Dancing Dragon by Marcia K. Vaughan
Lion Danccer: Ernie Wan’s Chinese New Year by Kate Waters
Lucky New Year! By Mary Man-Kong
So from Minna and the Canine Club, we wish you a happy Chinese New Year!
