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.
The Chinese calendar is based on a lunar cycle and starts on the darkest day. On Wednesday, Feb. 18, there was a new moon, meaning the moon was not visible in the sky.
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 its 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 fireworks that shower the festivities are rooted in a similar ancient custom. Long ago, people in China lit bamboo stalks, believing that the crackling flames would frighten away evil spirits.
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, flowers, zodiac signs and scenes from legend and history. People hang glowing lanterns in temples, and carry them to an evening parade under the light of the full moon.
The highlight of the Lantern Festival is the Dragon Dance. In all its splendor, the dragon stretches to one-hundred-feet long and is typically made of silk, paper and bamboo. 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
