The Chinese New Year is celebrated on the first day of the first moon of the lunar calendar. It generally coincides with the period ranging from January 21 to February 19. The Chinese New Year symbolizes turning over a new leaf. It is a time for family reunions, visiting friends and relatives. This festival stresses the importance of family ties. The dinner gathering on the Chinese New Year Eve is one of the most important family occasions. The festival starts on the first day of the New Year and ends on the Lantern Festival, which falls after fourteen days. Have you ever witnessed this festival being celebrated?
Chinese New Year falls on different dates each year. It can be any date between January 21 and February 20. The New Year generally coincides with the second new moon (very rarely the third new moon) after the winter solstice. Chinese New Year ends with the lantern festival on the fifteenth day. Some of the lanterns are beautiful works of art that are painted with flowers, birds, animals, zodiac signs and historic or legendary scenes. People hang the lighted lanterns in temples and carry the lanterns to an evening parade on the full moon night. Have you ever seen the Chinese New Year being celebrated?
The highlight of the lantern festival, in many areas, is the dragon dance. The dragon might stretch a hundred feet and is generally made of bamboo, paper and silk. The dragon is traditionally held aloft by, young men who dance as they guide the colourful creature through the streets. The Chinese New Year occurs around the time of full moon, as each lunation is about 29.53 days in duration. This New Year is a time of family reunion as family members visit each other’s homes and share meals. The feast on the New Year’s Eve is a major attraction. Do you have any Chinese friend?
