2012 Chinese New Year of The Dragon

Chinese New Year is today. On the Gregorian calendar, it is actually January 23, 2012; but on the lunar calendar, it is January 1, 4710. China and other countries with predominately Chinese population, along with Japan and Korea will be celebrating for the next two weeks. It is the biggest holiday of the year.

Year of The Dragon

This year is the ‘Year of The Dragon’. The dragon is the most auspicious sign of all twelve animal signs. As a culture, the Chinese are very superstitious. Babies born in the year of the dragon are thought to have all the qualities of a winner, able to vanquish all those who oppose them. Famous leaders born in the year of the dragon include Susan B. Anthony, Sigmund Freud, Salvador Dali, John Lennon, and Bruce Lee. You can expect the population in China to spike this year, as it did in the previous years of the dragon (2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940, 1928, 1916, 1904, and so on).

Childhood Memories

For me, Chinese New Year will always be filled with fond childhood memories of new clothes, lucky red envelopes filled with money, and gambling with dice with my brothers. I grew up in China with lots of siblings and extended family. I never want for someone to play with. The congested family life translated to congested city streets. It was over-crowded with people and happenings. And yet, I loved it.

Customs Explained

Chinese New Years are full of customs. For the Chinese, New Years is also called Spring Festival, as it marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. The house would have been cleaned top to bottom. Why cleaning? Cleaning gets rid of all old cobwebs that clutter the household chi. The big feast of family and friends gathered around a round table will have started last night, New Years Eve. Why a round table? A round table has no beginning or end, nor any sharp edges; thus symbolizing a harmonious union. The dishes are sure to include fish. Why fish? The word fish has the same phonetic sound as the word for leftovers. The convention is this; if you always have leftovers, you never want for anything. Fireworks will be on display on the first night. Why fireworks? Fireworks come with loud noise and bright lights. These are elements believed to have the power to scare away evil spirits. Adults will typically be on holiday from work for two weeks. Why two weeks? Traditionally, travel to rural areas took days, so business owners gave their workers two weeks to go home to be with their family and return to work afterwards. Children and unwed adults will receive red envelopes containing crisp bills called “lucky money”. Why red? Red is the color believed to be associated with good luck. Why money? Why not? Denominations are up to the giver. When I was a teenager, Chinese relatives of mine in New York use to hand me red envelopes with crisp new $1 bills, but I’ve heard of other kids who receive way more. Lucky them. Homes are decorated with rhyming couplets on red paper. Why rhyming? Chinese are big on rhyme. Traditional poems all have rhymes. It is easier to remember lengthy poems when they rhyme. The Lantern Festival is commonly held on the 15th day of January; although lanterns are hung around the house from Day One. Why lanterns? They light the way. The highlight of Chinese New Year has to be the Dragon Dance. Why a dragon? The coming of the dragon symbolizes the coming of an auspicious time. The dragon, which measures anywhere from 5 feet to 100 feet, is typically made of silk, paper, and bamboo. Traditionally, it is held by men who engage in a choreographed dance down the city streets while loud drums, fireworks and confetti fly. Since many urban safety codes have prohibited the use of fireworks, the parades have included more marching bands and floats.

I hope this explains the customs and traditions commonly held for Chinese New Year. As we say in China, "Gong Shi Fat Tsai". May you prosper.