The Year Of The Dog
Tomorrow (1/29/05) is the first day of the Chinese New Year. 2006 is the year of generosity and justice.
The Chinese New Year is celebrated on the first day of the First Moon of the lunar calendar. The date in the solar calendar varies from as early as January 21st to as late as February 19th.
The Chinese calendar is continuous, and there are 12 animal mascots that represent a different year. These mascot names re-cycle every 12-years. Most Chinese people will tell you the name of the year they were born, not the actual number of the year. (By the name, they are able to figure out the year).
An example of this would be: in America, if you asked me when I was born, I would say 1969...in China if you asked the same question, I would say I was born in the Year of the Rooster.
Chinese New Year, as with the Western New Year, signifies the turning over of a new leaf. Socially, it is a time for family reunions, and for visiting friends and relatives. This Chinese tradition, more so than any other, stresses the importance of family ties. The Chinese New Year's Eve dinner gathering is among the most important family occasions of the year.
Shooting off firecrackers on New Year's Eve is the Chinese way of sending out the old year and welcoming in the New Year.
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