Chinese New Year is the biggest holiday in China. It has no fixed date because the Chinese calendar is lunar, so it falls between January 21 and February 20. This year, it falls on January 28.
The Chinese New Year celebration has its origins in the Shang Dynasty (between 1600 and 1100 BC), when people offered sacrifices to the gods and their ancestors to mark the end of the old era and the beginning of the new year. Legend has it that a fierce beast, the Nian (“Year”), attacked the people at the end of each year. For this reason, the villagers made loud noises and used bright lights to drive it away.
While the zodiac in the West is divided into 12 months, the Chinese zodiac is divided into 12 years. Thus, each year of a 12-year period corresponds to a zodiac sign symbolized by an animal. Behind the choice of these animals is a series of myths. The most popular states that Buddha called all the animals of the world just before he left the earth, and the only ones that responded were these 12: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Finally, it is said that their ranking depended on the order in which they reached the Buddha.
2017 is the Year of the Rooster. Roosters symbolize energy, serenity, courage, and a pioneering spirit. People born during this sign (1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005) are characterized by reliability, responsibility, and a strong sense of time. They prioritize their careers, are hard-working, and are able to take on several tasks due to their many talents.
Learn everything you need to know about Chinese New Year:
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It lasts 15 days and ends with the Lantern Festival. Only the first three days are public holidays.
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Fireworks are lit, as the noise they make is believed to drive away demons and evil spirits.
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Red is the dominant colour in clothing, decoration, and gifts. It symbolizes fire, which is believed to ward off bad luck.
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Rice cake is a popular gift, symbolizing progress.
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The festive table includes chicken and fish dishes, and the most popular fruit is the mandarin.
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