The tumultuous Year of the Horse has come to an end and Thursday, Feb. 19, marked the beginning of the Chinese New Year, the longest and the most important Chinese celebration, which lasts 15 full days.
Interestingly, there is a controversy as to whether 4713 is the Year of the Goat, Sheep or Ram. Many East Asian cultures use zodiac animals to symbolize each year and predict a person’s fortune. In Mandarin, this year’s animal is yáng. Though it’s English translation is up for debate, they are all symbolic of peace and harmony.
You will notice many Chinese New Year celebrations, and many people wearing red clothes, decorating poems on red paper and giving children “lucky money” in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which according to legend can drive away bad luck.
The Lantern Festival is held on the 15th day of the first lunar month. The lanterns are often works of art, painted with birds, animals or flowers. The highlight is the Dragon Dance. In all its splendor, the dragon stretches 100-feet long. Young dancing men hold up the dragon as they guide the colorful beast through the streets.
So, whatever you believe, Chinese New Year promises to be exciting.
—Elizabeth Johnson
