Chinese New Year

Origin and traditions

Of all traditional Chinese celebrations, Chinese New Year is the most important one. It dates from the time of the Shang Dynasty (1600 BC-1100 BC) when people worshipped gods and ancestors at the end of the year and the beginning of the new year. It was only much later, that it became a festival to bid farewell to the old year and to welcome the new year. The date of the Chinese New Year is determined by the lunar calendar rather than the solar calendar. The Chinese New Year begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice on 21 December. According to the western solar calendar this is somewhere between January 21 and February 20.

The Chinese New Year heralds the beginning of spring and, therefore, it is also called ‘Spring Festival’. With songs and dance people welcome the return of Earth to life and the start of the ploughing and sowing season. In preparation of the New Year celebrations, people buy gifts, decorations, special food and new clothes. On New Year’s Eve (‘chuxi’) the houses are thoroughly cleaned and decorated with paper cut-outs spells and two lyrics expressing happiness, prosperity and longevity.

New Year is a family celebration. Regardless of how far people live from their hometown, they do their utmost to join the reunion dinner with the whole family on New Year’s Eve. Therefore, the entire China is on the move around Chinese New Year. Millions of people travel to their hometowns to celebrate New Year. They visit family, friends and acquaintances to wish each other the best for the New Year. It is a big welcoming party, not just at home with the family, but also on the streets. There is plenty of eating and drinking and a lot of music and hard fireworks.

Character traits of the Dragon

The dragon is the fifth animal in the twelve annual cycle of the Chinese zodiac according to the Chinese calendar. Externally, the dragon most resembles with a large reptile with scaly skin, wings, and a large mouth full of teeth. The dragon is the symbol of strength. The most important character traits of the Dragon are pride and liveliness, enthusiasm, irresistibility, enthusiasm, successful, extroverted, inspiring.

People born in the year of the Dragon are known in China as people with good luck. They can reach great heights if they focus on the goal. The Dragon has an enormous amount of energy, intelligence, and talent.
The Dragon expects friends to be reliable, but the Dragon itself will not always be honest. The Dragon thinks that everyone will forgive everything but has difficulty with that. The Dragon likes fun, going out with pleasant company and likes to be flattered and seduced. If there is a problem, the Dragon will be a good listener who appears relaxed. The Dragon has a big heart and will always try to help others.

What animal are you?

On the basis of your birth date, you can determine which animal you are according to Chinese astrology. The following table gives an overview of the years 1900 – 2031. Because the Chinese New Year starts in late January or early February, you should further search on the internet, in case you were born in that period.