Today is Chinese New Year Eve. Chinese New Year is the biggest holiday celebrated among Chinese people. It is often referred to as the spring festival because it signals the beginning of spring. It is a time when families and friends get together to say goodby to the old and welcome the new.
One interesting thing about Chinese New Year is that very few people know when this holiday is celebrated without looking at a traditional Chinese calendar because it never falls on the same day. The ancient Chinese used a lunar calendar. (Today we use solar calendars.) On a lunar calendar, the new year begins the first night of the new moon after the sun enters Aquarius. This date is anywhere between January 20 and February 19 (on a solar calendar). Chinese years are grouped in sets of 12 with each year being represented by an animal (zodiac sign). It is said that a person displays the characteristics of the animal of the year in which they were born. Chinese New Year’s eve dinner marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year celebration.
This is a family reunion feast bringing together grandparents, or even great grandparents, down to newborn babies. It is a celebration of the togetherness of the family. After the family meal, it is time to say lucky words to grandparents and parents and it is time for the Red Envelope.
It is important to remember that Chinese New Year is not only celebrated in China. Anywhere there are Chinese people, there is a Chinese New Year celebration. The specific activities of the celebration often vary depending on the region, but the basic principles are the same.
This year 2019 is Pig year.The Pig is the twelfth of all zodiac animals. Pigs have a beautiful personality and are blessed with good fortune in life. Recent years of the Pig are: 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
Men born in the Pig year are optimistic and gentle. They are very focused. Once they decide on a goal, they’ll put everything into it. Women born in the Pig year are full of excitement. They attend social events whenever possible and treat everyone genuinely. Combined with their easygoing personality, they gain everyone’s trust.
We wish every one in Ireland good luck, happiness and abundance for chinese the new year 2019.’Gong xi fa cai’ translates ‘Have a prosperous new year !’