Friday, February 16, 2007

Kung Hei Fat Choi! Happy New Year!

China’s most popular traditional holiday, Chinese New Year is a time for feasting, family reunions, and fun! Every year, Asians throughout the world spend weeks preparing for the 15-day celebration, officially called the Spring Festival. People often wonder why the date for Chinese New Year changes each year. Chinese New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice (all months begin with a new moon). It occurs somewhere between January 30 and February 20. Each Chinese year is represented by a repeated cycle of 12 animals. In 2007, Chinese New Year falls on February 18th. It is year 4705, the year of the Boar or Pig according to the ancient Chinese calendar.

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are celebrated as a family affair, a time of reunion and thanksgiving. The celebration was traditionally highlighted with a religious ceremony given in honor of Heaven and Earth, the gods of the household and the family ancestors.

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