Chinese New Year is considered the most important date in the Chinese calendar. The date changes every year because it's based on the lunar calendar. The first day of each Chinese New Year will always fall between Jan 21st and Feb 21st, and takes place at sunset on the day of the second New Moon following the winter solstice. Celebrations last for 2 weeks and end with Teng Chieh, the Lantern Festival on the full moon 15 days later.

Why are animals accosiated with Chinese New Year?
Each year in the Chinese calendar is represented by one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. The animals are:

Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

It is said that whichever animal's year you were born under, you will have some of the characteristics of that animal. According to Chinese legend, the twelve animals had a quarrel about who would head the cycle of years. The gods were asked to decide, but they couldn't so they held a contest; whoever reached the opposite bank of the river first would head the cycle and the rest of the animals would receive their years depending on where they finished.

All 12 animals dived into the river. The ox was in the lead but he hadn't realised that the rat had jumped onto his back. Just as the ox was about to win the race, the rat jumped off his back and won the race. The lazy pig ended up coming last and that is why the rat is the first year of the animal cycle, the ox second and the pig last.

How do we celebrate Chinese New Year?
On Chinese New Year people usually visit relatives and get together for a special family meal. Celebrations are held with dragon puppets and fireworks. New clothes are usually worn and houses are cleaned to signify the sweeping away of bad luck to make way for good luck.

Red packets are given to children containing 'lucky money', and homes are decorated with lucky writing and the colour red.

Why not have a try at making your own lucky money packet on our activities page?

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