The Year of the Tiger begins tomorrow, February 1st , but celebrations for the Lunar New Year take place from January 31st through February 15th.

New Year —New Luck

Prior to the first day of the new year, people deep clean their homes to remove huiqi [inauspicious breaths] and to appease the gods who will inspect the home. The first day of the new year is not a time to sweep the house, lest you sweep out good luck, or wash either your hair or your clothing, which will also wash out good fortune.

The Great Race

According to legend, there was once a Great Race among the animals to see who could reach the Jade Emperor first. The first twelve animals to complete the race received a year in the 12-year lunar cycle.

The Ox would have been first if she hadn’t been tricked by the Rat who hitched a ride on her back, and then jumped off so he arrived ahead of the Ox. This explains why the Rat is first animal in the cycle and the Ox, second. The other ten animals are the Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. It is said the pig came in last, because he stopped for a snack.

A person is assigned the attributes of the animal in control the year he or she is born and these animals reflect how a person is seen by other people and how she sees herself.

Someone born in a Tiger year is said to be brave, competitive, unpredictable, confident, charming, well-liked, and stubborn. All of these are useful attributes, except in the year of the Tiger.

During a Tiger year, people born in the year of the Rabbit, Dragon, Horse, or Rooster will have an easy year and good luck with their finances. Those born in Rat, Snake, Monkey, Dog, or Pig years can still have good fortune, but will have to work harder for it. Tiger people need to be careful this year and keep a low profile. They will have better prospects next year.

Special Foods

Traditionally, New Year celebrations are a time when families enjoy special foods.

CHANG SHOU MIAN [Longevity Noodles] are eaten during the first five days of the celebration to encourage long life. The noodles are not cut, and are supposed to be eaten with one long slurp rather than chewing.

SPRING ROLLS are shaped like gold bars to symbolize wealth.

NIAN GAO [Rice Cakes] symbolizes the hope that every year will be better than the last, because the word GAO is pronounced the same way as the word for tall or high.

TANGYUAN [Sweet Rice Balls] are round to encourage family togetherness.

STEAMED WHOLE FISH is the last item to be eaten at the meal. The word for fish is pronounced YU, which sounds the same word for surplus. The fish symbolizes wealth and prosperity and is served with the head and tail intact.

JIAO ZI [Dumplings] are shared on the 15th and final day of the celebrations as a sign of the family unit. The dumplings ae shaped like gold ingots, so the more dumplings you eat, the more wealth you will have. The word jiao zi has two other meanings. It was the name of the first form of paper money, and also refers to the hour just before the new year as a time of transition between old and new. Sometimes a coin is placed one of the dumplings for extra good luck.

I think of the Lunar New Year celebrations as the last of the holidays that began in December. May the year ahead bring you good health and prosperity.

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Illustrations

Indonesian Stamp, 2010 Year of Tiger.

Chinese Zodiac by RootOfAllLight.

Tiger by S. Taheri, edited by Fir0002.

Longevity/birthday noodles by N509FZ.

Spring rolls by Hiroooooo.

Imprinted black sesame rice cake by DragonSamYU.

Glutinous Rice Balls by BYTE RIDER.

Steamed whole fish by KM Francois George Pierre.

Dumpling by Macgills2.

Alex Nelson. “Chinese Zodiac Signs.” National World. Jan. 25, 2022.

Xenia Fong. “All the Lunar New Year Dishes.” Food Network. 

The post Gung Hay Fat Choy — Year of the Tiger first appeared on Sandra Wagner-Wright.

The official date for Chinese New Year is this Saturday, January 25, though preparations began last Thursday.

Each year corresponds to an animal in the Chinese zodiac created by the celestial Jade Emperor who invited twelve animals to serve as his guards. The earlier an animal passed through the heavenly gate, the higher rank it would have in the new zodiac.

There are several stories about how Rat became the first animal of the zodiac. One says that Cat expected to have a spot, but wanted to take a nap, so he asked Rat to wake him up when it was time to leave for the Jade Emperor’s palace.

Rat didn’t have an invitation, so he decided not to wake Cat. The next day, Cat realized he’d slept too long. Angry at Rat’s betrayal, Cat began chasing him, which is why cats hunt rats.

On the way to the palace, Rat encountered a river. The current was too swift for Rat, but when he saw Ox crossing the river, he jumped into Ox’s ear. Rat said he would sing encouragement to Ox, if Ox allowed him to join him on the journey.

When they reached the palace, Rat jumped out of Ox’s ear, and arrived first, with Ox a close second.

Tiger and Rabbit arrived shortly after, followed by Dragon who was delayed because he stopped to rescue a village from a flood. The emperor said Dragon’s son could come in next, but he wasn’t there, so Snake said he was Dragon’s adopted son.

Horse and Goat arrived together, followed by Monkey. Rooster, Dog, and Pig arrived last. Pig was delayed because a wolf destroyed his house, and he had to rebuild before he could leave home.

2020: YEAR OF THE RAT

In a 12-year cycle, each animal is associated with a year. This is the Year of the Rat. Mythological rats are a sign of wealth. Due to their rapid reproduction, couples often pray to the Rat for children.

Rats are clever, successful, and prefer a quiet life.  People born in a Rat year are sometimes thought to be stingy. 

NOT ALL RATS ARE THE SAME

People born in a Wood Rat year [1924, 1984] are said to be independent, but they also conform to traditional thinking.

Those born in a Fire rRat year [1936, 1996] are clever and capable, but lack discipline.

Earth Rats [1948, 2008] are contented and adaptable.

Metal Rats [1960, 2020] are sensitive and persuasive.

And Water Rats [1912, 1972] are intelligent.

SPRING FESTIVAL

The Chinese New Year celebration is part of the annual Spring Festival, a time of new beginnings when people welcome spring. The Spring Festival is the longest Chinese holiday. Everyone is expected to be home for the New Year dinner. Since most elderly parents live in villages, while their children work in cities, there is an annual migration known as chunyun.

It’s a time of family, but also a time to discover if there are any love interests among the children. Some singles hire a fake boyfriend or girlfriend to go with with them, tho’ why this part-time employee doesn’t have to go to her or his own family is unclear.

MYTHS ABOUT THE COLOR RED & FIRECRACKERS

There are several myths surrounding the Spring Festival. These explain various customs, such as firecrackers and why the color red is popular at new year.

Once there was a monster named Nian, a horned beast resembling a dragon and a Kirin. He lived at the bottom of the ocean, but once a year Nian came to earth to eat animals and humans. Usually, he stopped at a village since he would find plenty to eat. The villagers, in turn, ran away to the mountains.

One time, a beggar came into the village as everyone was leaving. He promised an old woman that if she gave him shelter, he would protect her from Nian. She agreed, and the beggar attached red paper to the doors of every house. 

Nian, it turns out, hates the color red, so when he arrived at midnight, he stopped short and roared his frustration. Suddenly, firecrackers sounded. Nian was afraid. When he saw the beggar clothed entirely in red, Nian ran away.

Today families eat together in their homes on New Year’s Eve surrounded by red decorations. People wear red clothing as the beggar did long ago, and at midnight, firecrackers go off.

More firecrackers go off the next day to welcome the new year. Celebratory fireworks for Chinese New Year have become a global problem. They cause extensive pollution and are dangerous for anyone with respiratory problems. Increasingly, cities are trying to control, or completely ban, the use of fireworks.

Another popular custom is giving red money envelopes. Some say this is a way to share family wealth, or for employers to give their staff a bonus. But most of the red envelopes are for children to keep evil spirits away from them.

An evil spirit named Sui once appeared on New Year’s Eve. As he passed sleeping children, he patted them on the head. The children became sick.

In order to keep their child awake, one couple played a game that included golden coins. Eventually the child fell asleep, so they put the coins on top of red paper next to the child’s head.  When Sui arrived, light flashed off the coins, and he ran away.

So now, parents give children money wrapped in red paper on New Year’s Eve.

GONG HEI FAT CHOY

When you greet friends and neighbors on New Year’s Day, wish them prosperity in the year ahead by saying Gong Hei Fat Choy [Cantonese pronunciation] or Gong Xi Fa Cai [Mandarin pronunciation].

LUCKY FOOD

Chinese New Year is also known for its lucky foods, among them:

• Fish for Prosperity
• Dumplings, Spring Rolls, and Golden Fruit for Wealth
• Tangyuan [rice balls] for Family Harmony

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Jade Emperor

Chinese Zodiac by RootOfAllLight

Red Chinese Lanterns by pesos .de

Firecrackers by ABF

Red Envelope by Jpquidores

Dumplings for Spring Festival by Jason M. C., Han

China Highlights

Travel China Guide

The post Welcome the Year of the Rat first appeared on Sandra Wagner-Wright.

This year the Chinese Zodiac Calendar turns to the Year of the Dog and is the first to celebrate the Earth Dog since 1948. People born in this year are considered communicative, serious, and responsible. Loyal to friends, family, and those who support them. They can also be critical, stubborn, quick to anger and sensitive to criticism. As it happens, Donald Trump was born in the Year of the Fire Dog.

But it won’t be a good year for him. The year of your zodiac animal is when a person is vulnerable to demons. This can be warded off by wearing red underwear. No, I don’t know what color is worn by Mr. Trump.

MYTHOLOGICAL CUSTOMS

Customs for Chinese New Year are tied to ancient myths. For example, Red Paper Envelopes, shown here with tangerines.

There was once an evil spirit called Sui who appeared on New Year’s Day and patted the heads of sleeping children. The children came down with a fever. One family was playing with coins before the child fell asleep. The parents left the coins on the pillow. When Sui arrived, the coins flashed and frightened him away. Ever since, parents and grandparents gift children with lucky money in red envelopes. Some teens now have “red envelope apps” so relatives can transfer their gifts digitally.

The tangerines represent wealth, because the Chinese words for tangerine and gold are similar. The fruit is a traditional new year decoration.

RED is an important color for New Year decorations as well as money envelopes, because once there was a monster named Nian who lived at the bottom of the sea. Once a year he came on land to eat animals and humans. Villagers generally fled to the mountains.

One year a beggar arrived in the village seeking shelter just as everyone was leaving. He persuaded an old woman to take him in by promising he could chase Nian away. The beggar decorated all the homes with red paper. At midnight Nian arrived at the village, but stopped when he saw the red paper. Nian roared in anger. The beggar lit firecrackers. Nian ran away.

Chinese new year celebrations occur over fifteen days, ending with the Lantern Festival on the first full moon of the new lunar year. The custom began when a swan left heaven to visit the human world. A hunter inadvertently killed it.

The heavenly Jade Emperor was furious. He planned to take his revenge by burning the earth. Other gods warned humanity. So on the night the Jade Emperor prepared his attack, people lit firecrackers and each household hung out lanterns. Looking down from heaven, the Jade Emperor thought the earth was burning, and humanity survived.

With 20 percent of the world celebrating Chinese New Year, there is a variation of greetings.

Xīn nián kuài lè — May you become wealthy
Gong hei fat choy — The phrase in Cantonese
Gong xi fa cai — Congratulations to Fortune, used in Mandarin Chinese

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Illustrations from Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons Attribution.

Chinese Paper Cutting. Dog. By Fanghong.

Tangerines and Red Envelope by Poa Mosyuen.

Red Lanterns by Formulax.

Chinese New Year 2018

Chinese Horoscope 2018. Karma Weather.

Jacob Dirnhuber. “Dog Days.” The Sun. Feb. 10, 2018.

Tessa Schlesinger. “Chinese Horoscope Predictions.” Exemplore. Nov. 28, 2017.

The post 2018: Year of the Dog first appeared on Sandra Wagner-Wright.

“Okay, I’ll bite.  Why are you wishing me a Happy New Year when we already celebrated the New Year on January 1?”

Excellent Question, Grasshopper.  (Historian settles in for a lengthy chat.)  The January 1 date is completely arbitrary, a result of the introduction of the Julian calendar in 45 BCE.

“Could you answer my question without presenting a 50 minute lecture?”

You exaggerate.  I can answer your question in less than five minutes.

“I’m setting the stopwatch on my smart phone.  Go.”

Did you know the ancient Romans held a festival for Saturn, an agricultural god, on December 17?  The event expanded to cover five days, then seven.  It was the most popular event of the year.  That’s why the early Christian Church set Christmas on December 25, so new converts would not feel excluded from the fun and games.  Of course, Christian celebrations were more moral.

“Seconds are turning.” (Yawn.)

You want to know when the “new year” begins.  Got it. A new year can begin on any day.  It could start tomorrow.  But it wouldn’t be the New Year with capital letters.  Roman political leaders were a bit mischievous.  Their term of office lasted a year, but there was no fixed length to the months.  A leader might lengthen or shorten the year to suit himself.  Until Julius Caesar came back from the African campaigns.  He decreed 46BCE would be two months longer than usual so he could align time into long months of 31 days and short months of 30 days and February which was extra short and expandable during leap years.

(Starts texting.)

I can hear you.  (Exasperated) The first day of the official New Year is January 1 because that’s the day when Roman consuls took office.  The Christian Church adopted the Julian calendar, later changed it to the Gregorian calendar, but kept January 1.  And thus it has ever since, encompassing the entire known world, just as Caesar planned.

“Two minutes.”

Yesterday, February 10 started the new lunisolar year known as Chinese New Year. Celebrations continue for fifteen days ending with the Lantern Festival.  This is the Year of the Snake.

“I don’t like snakes.”

Have you ever met one?  Snake people are good to have around.  They are intelligent, analytical and graceful.  They like the good things in life.  They like wealth.

“Doesn’t everyone?”

Wealth means different things to different people.  Snakes like sumptuous luxury.

“One minute.  Will we get rich this year?”

Maybe.  Some think the Snake will encourage economic recovery.

“Why did you put a picture of tangerines at the top?”

That’s a new question.  You can’t count it in the five minutes.  Did I make it?

“Yes.  This proves you don’t have to go into every teeny tiny detail to answer a question.”

I like to be thorough.

“Can you briefly tell me about the fruit.”

I shall be succinct.  Tangerines and oranges invite luck and wealth, because the Chinese word for tangerine sounds like the word for “luck”, and the word for orange sounds like “wealth.”  As an added bonus, bright orange is a color associated with gold.

“So, luck + wealth + gold = prosperity.”

I didn’t know you could do math.

“Is the red envelope a replacement for plastic shopping bags?”

Better. These small paper containers hold lucky money.  Red is an auspicious color.  Lots of Chinese New Year decorations are red and gold – all to attract health, wealth, and happiness.  And, it’s biodegradable.  Where are you going?

“To buy tangerines.”

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