Chinese New Year begins January 25th and marks the start of the Lunar New Year and a New Moon. It’s a major holiday for the Chinese and celebrated by all Asian cultures.
Chinese New Year is filled with traditions and superstitions that go all the way back to the Shang Dynasty (1766 BC – 1122 BC). During the celebration, it’s important to focus on home and family, to remember ancestors and to feast on celebratory foods that are believed to bring harmony, prosperity and longevity throughout the year. During this time you will see the color red A LOT. Red symbolizes good fortune and joy and is a prominent color for Chinese even outside of the celebrations. There are also red envelopes given during this time filled with money. It is customary to give red envelopes to children and family members because it brings prosperity (money in the envelope), happiness and good luck. Dragon dances are also a symbol of the holiday. The longer the dragon dances the more luck will be had within the community.
Each year is assigned to one of 12 animals and based on what year you were born you can determine what animal you are and the horoscope for the upcoming year. Legend states that Lord Buddha invited all the animals to come to him before his departure from Earth to bid him farewell. Only 12 animals came. As a thank you he gave them each a year in order of when they showed up. So every twelve years it goes back to the first animal. 2020 is the year of the Rat and if the year you were born falls under that animal sign you are industrious, diligent and positive. Your animal sign represents what’s in your heart.
Click here to get your Chinese zodiac animal sign. It’s fun to read and see how closely aligned the characteristics are with what we believe our characteristics are.
silver and gold ingots which symbolize wealth
There are also quite a few superstitions and things you SHOULD NOT do on New Years Day.
*Don’t wash clothes or your hair – it washes away good luck
*Don’t sweep the house or take out the garbage – It sweeps away wealth
*Don’t eat porridge (rice soup) – it brings poverty
*Don’t take medicine – it brings illness for the entire year
There will be Chinese New Year celebrations going on all over the country. Click here for a guide to Chinese New Year events throughout Los Angeles, CA.
Kung Hei Fat Choi