Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, began on 26th
January 2009. It is the main Chinese festival of the year and it is not a
religious event. We explain some of the traditions and
stories linked to this celebration.
As the Chinese use the Lunar calendar for their festivals the date of
Chinese New Year changes from year to year. The date corresponds to the
new moon (black moon) in either late January or February. Traditionally
celebrations last for fifteen days, ending on the date of the full moon.
In China the public holiday lasts for three days and this is the biggest
celebration of the year.
The Year of the Ox
The Chinese calendar is different from that used in the United Kingdom.
It is made up of a cycle of twelve years, each of them being named after
an animal. This is very like our signs of the zodiac. Some people believe
that people born in a particular year such as the year of the Dog will have
some of the characteristics of that animal. January 26th 2009 marked the
start of the Year of the Ox. On the Chinese calendar the year is 4707.
To find out which animals make up the Chinese zodiac and which one you
are supposed to be like, click here and put
in your birthday.
There are several legends about how animal names were chosen for the
years. Read one of the stories here.
Over a sixth of the people in the world celebrate Chinese New Year. Customs
vary in different parts of the world, but everywhere the main idea is the
same. It is a time to remember the family and wish everyone peace and
prosperity in the coming year. Find out more about the
customs.