New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar. The Chinese year 4712 begins on Jan. 31, 2014. We are moving out of the Year of the Water Snake and moving into the Year of the Wood Horse. Many cultures celebrate the New Year based on a lunar calendar.
Manhasset is getting a special taste of the occasion this year with an art exhibit hosted by Brooks Brothers. In celebration of this new year, artist Peiliang Jin has created a series of vibrant watercolors of the Chinese animal zodiac. They are on display in the Brooks Brothers at 2128 Northern Blvd. in the Americana Shopping Center.
Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal’s year would have some of that animal’s personality.
Those born in horse years are cheerful, skillful with money, perceptive, witty, talented and good with their hands. Rembrandt, Harrison Ford, Aretha Franklin, Chopin, Sandra Day O’Connor, and President Theodore Roosevelt were born in the year of the horse. Year of the Horse falls on the years 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954 and 1942.
At Chinese New Year celebrations people wear red clothes, decorate with poems on red paper, and give children “lucky money” in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which according to legend can drive away bad luck. The fireworks that shower the festivities are rooted in a similar ancient custom.
Lunar New Year lasts 15 days, starting from January 31, 2014. This year its last day falls on Valentine’s Day.
