Happy Chinese New Year 2022!
Did you know not every culture celebrates New Year on 1/1? Most people have heard of Chinese New Year. Most people would not know that its happens in February each year. It goes on for waaay longer than just a day, usually with a whole schedule of things to do!
This year is the year of the Tiger! Look at him up there, isn’t he cute? Haven’t heard of the chinese zodiac? Well, we have a zodiac in western astrology that an symbol/animal is assigned to you based on your birth something. (Don’t get me started how western astrology comes from older forms of astrology). The Chinese Zodiac goes by your birth year and month and assigns you an animal, as animals are highly involved in chinese history/mythology. Find more information here: https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/
What is Chinese New Year? Its also known as The Spring Festival. Cultures around the world, and all throughout time, tend to celebrate the changing of the seasons as many of our livelihoods used to depend on that. Winter is done, time for growing things to eat and sell right? The following is done to honor the ancestors, pray for good harvest, and removing bad energy:
New Years Eve Dinner (Nian Ye Fan (年夜饭)) with Family: Families burn incense to worship their ancestors. Older and senior members of the family give the younger ones good luck pocket money known as Ya Sui Qian (压岁钱) contained in a red envelope (Hong Bao 红包).
More information can be found here: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/how-do-people-celebrate-chinese-new-year
My partner is Chinese/American, so where I have stopped talking about it is as far as I tend to celebrate it. There is an evening with fortune lucky food and family meal prep, Dumplings, and exchanging of red envelopes from the older/married to the younger members. From our family to yours, we wish you good health this coming year and hope you get rich! (Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái) Also, in China and other nearby areas of the world, this is taken more seriously and lasts like two weeks so if shipping seems more of a nightmare...that will be why.
I know that you are all wondering, what sign am I? I am the Monkey. The Monkey is the ninth of 12 animals in the recurring 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle. The 12 zodiac animals are, in order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. A Monkey year occurs every 12 years. 2028 is going to be my year! Based on this site (https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/monkey.htm) I am a Water Monkey, who knew? What sign are you?
