Chinese new year done

By: Charly Rhinehart

The Chinese New Year

• The Chinese New Year is the most important social and economic holiday in China. Originally tied to the lunar-solar Chinese calendar, the holiday was a time to honor household and heavenly deities as well as ancestors. This traditional fest has been celebrated for more than four thousand years. It came about from ancient celebrations to mark the end of the long winter season and the beginning of spring. It celebrates the earth coming back to life and the beginning of the growing cycle.

• Plants and flowers are a very important element in New Year decorations in China. As it is the Chinese people are known to have a special love with nature.

• Long, narrow red strips of paper or diamond-shaped paper printed with black or gold Chinese characters which are hung in the doorways

Entertainment • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt5JYdMFP08

The Hong Kong Flower Show exhibits a rich profusion of potted plants, beautiful floral arrangements and gorgeous landscape displays by local, Mainland Chinese and international participants.

• The best part of the Chinese New Year is perhaps the candy tray as far as the kids are concerned.

• Known as the tray of togetherness.Food MeaningCandied melon growth and good health

Red melon seed dyed red to symbolize joy,happiness

Lychee nut strong family relationships

Cumquat prosperity (gold)

Coconut togetherness

Peanuts long life

Longnan many good sons

Lotus seed many children

Tangerines symbol of maintaining a long relationship and happiness

• New Year's Eve dinner – Fish and Dumplings are an important part.

• Right after the 12:00PM of the New Year's Eve, fireworks will be launched to celebrate the coming of the New Year as well as driven away the evil.

• Red packet is a red envelope with money in it. Given by to young children in the New Year days. It was believed that the money in the red packet will suppress the evil from the children, keep the children healthy, and long living.

Throughout the World

All through the world they celebrate about the same:

– Street festivals featuring arts, entertainment and children’s activities.– Chinese New Year markets showcasing arts, crafts and food stalls.– Dancing, music and people wearing colorful costumes to welcome the

Chinese New Year.– Vibrant displays of Chinese lanterns, firecrackers and fireworks.

• http://www.china-family-adventure.com/chinese-new-year.html• http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/articles/china/chinese-new-year-decorations/16

27• http://chineseculture.about.com/od/chinesefestivals/a/Chinese-New-Year-

Chinese-New-Years-Decorations.htm• http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/events-festivals/exhibitions-and-

consumer-fairs/hong-kong-flower-show.jsp• http://www.chinesenewyears.info/chinese-new-year-traditions.php