Happy New Year!

Today February 19, 2015 is the start of the Chinese New Year! The New Year is based on a lunar calendar. The Chinese lunar calendar is associated with the Chinese zodiac, which has 12 animal signs: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, Rooster, dog, and pig. Each animal represents a year in a 12-year cycle, beginning on Chinese New Year's Day. 2015 is a year of the goat! China will be holding a festival for the longest public holiday in Chinese history. It lasts for three days and the time spent is for families to come together and celebrate by have reunion dinners with many generations attending. People light off fireworks and participate in dragon dances during the spring festival all over China. The color red is everywhere, the Chinese believe that red is an auspicious color. Gifts are also a big part of the festival red envelopes filled with cash are given to children and the elderly. Some superstitions the Chinese believe in to bring them good luck in the upcoming year included not cleaning or washing your hair the first few days of the New Year, doing this is believed to wash away good luck. Children crying is bad luck, asking for a loan is not favorable, and praying in a temple is a must. Lastly, the Chinese will wear red underwear to bring them good luck in the upcoming year! Happy Chinese New Year Everyone!