Gung Hay Fat Choy (Happy Chinese New Year)

The Lunar New Year (often called Chinese New Year in the U.S., though it’s celebrated in many Asian cultures) is the first day of a 15-day celebration, culminating in the Lantern Festival on the 15th night. A celebration of good luck and good fortune for the coming year, Lunar New Year is deeply entrenched in traditions the whole family can enjoy. Parades take place throughout Asia and around the U.S., and often feature dancing dragons (a symbol of goodness and strength). The Chinese lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon. The calendar follows a 12-year cycle, with each year represented by one of 12 animals (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig). People born in each of these years are said to have certain characteristics. This year, 2006 is the Year of the Dog. People born in the Year of the Dog are said to be very loyal and are able to keep a secret. Sometimes they worry too much. (Astrid was born in 2005, the Year of the Rooster.)

The actual date of the New Year changes annually, determined by the second New Moon following the winter solstice. (That’s where the name Lunar New Year comes from: it’s also frequently called the Spring Festival.) New Year ends, after 15 days, on a full moon.

The Spring Festival celebrates the Earth coming back to life and the beginning of plowing and planting. Because the Chinese use a lunar calendar, the date of the Spring Festival changes each year. It takes place at some time during the end of January or the beginning of February. This year it falls on January 29, 2006.

The entire first week is a time for socializing and amusement. There are numerous lion dances, acrobats, theatrical shows, and other diversions. All stores are closed the entire week. Firecrackers, which symbolize driving away evil spirits, are heard throughout the first two weeks of the New year. The Seventh Day of the New Year is called "everybody’s birthday" as everyone is considered one year older as of that date. (In traditional China, individual birthdays are not considered as important as the New Year’s date. Everyone adds a year to his/her age at New Year’s time rather than at his/her birthday. In Korea they also do this.)