I don't really know much about Chinese New Year or Spring Festival except that it's very important for the Chinese, where ever they are, but it gets a mention in the Almanac for today.
The date of the Chinese New Year is calculated by the date of the Lunar New Year, which falls at some point between 21st January and 20th February. Celebrations start on the New Year's Eve and finish with a Lantern Festival on the 15th day and include dragon dances, lion dances and fireworks.
Customs and traditions include thoroughly cleaning your house before New Year but not sweeping on New Years Day in case luck is swept away. Windows and doors are decorated with red paper cut-outs and money given in red envelopes.
The Chinese zodiac is a twelve year cycle with each year being represented by an animal. This year is the year of the Horse (it says Fire Horse in the Almanac book)
Rat 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Ox 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Tiger 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
Rabbit 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
Dragon 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Snake 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Horse 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Goat 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Monkey 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Rooster 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
Dog 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
Pig 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
I was born in 1955, the Year of the Goat - which I reckon explains a lot!.
I am a Dragon, and Keith was too, hence we got on. It is probably responsible for me not having a tactful bone in my body!
ReplyDeleteI'm a monkey, married to an ox. I don't think my husband would be happy to learn he's an ox!
ReplyDeleteHe knew already!
DeleteI am a Wood Monkey, an intelligent one though ;)
ReplyDeleteWe 1955 kids were the Greatest Of All Time!
ReplyDeleteI was born in 1950 year of the tiger and my husband in 1948 so he's a rat! Only he is anything but bless him. At my singing club yesterday one our group is Chinese and she told us quite a lot about her planned celebrations and gave us all a little card each in a red envelope with a horse drawn on it. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteI'm the year of the dog lol. Apparently, we are loyal, honest and responsible. Sounds rather boring.
ReplyDeleteAlways interesting to read about other cultures
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
I'm an earth tiger! Around here are several other Asian communities who all celebrate the Lunar New Year.
ReplyDeleteI just checked my late husband, water monkey. Not generally compatible with the tiger sign. Now they tell me!
DeleteI'm a tiger, too! One of my daughters-in-law is from China so she and my middle son and their 3 kids are celebrating down at their home in Texas.
ReplyDeleteI'm a wood monkey married to a water horse. I don't know whether that's a compatible partnership, but it seems to have worked for many decades!
ReplyDeleteTiber for me and Ox for husband. Think that describes our personalities well! Catriona
ReplyDeleteFascinating. I know nothing about the Chinese calendar.
ReplyDeleteI see, I am a tiger as well. I will check out what that means.
I am year of the rat. When I was 21 a friend gave me the most lovely antique netsuke of a rat which I love. Not usually an animal I'm fond of!
ReplyDeletePenny
Gung hay fat choy!
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone for comments.
ReplyDeleteI'm so old I'm not even on that chart!!
ReplyDeleteI was born in the year of the goat, and my sign is Capricorn (pure Capricorn not a cusp) another goat.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I'm an Aries Rat, Alan is a Capricorn Pig, and my first husband was a goat through and through as he was a Capricorn Goat. So both my hubby's are/were Capricorns and weirdly all three of Alan's wives have been Aries. He obviously likes fiery women. ;-)
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