CHINESE NEW YEAR 2012 virtual

CHINESE NEW YEAR: 

CHINESE NEW YEAR The year of the Dragon Monday , 23rd. January , 2012

Gung Hay Fat Choy!: 

Gung Hay Fat Choy ! “ Wishing you luck and prosperity ” The New Year is one of the most important and festive Chinese holidays . In the United States , where more than 2.5 million people of Chinese descent live , Chinese New Year’s celebrations provide an important connection to Chinese culture and heritage . Chinese immigrants broughtthe tradiions with them when they came to America to work in gold mining camps and on the railroads in the mid 1800’s.

Symbols and tradition: 

Symbols and tradition People decorate their homes with colorful pictures of flowers and fruits , and hang red paer squares or scrolls on which gold Chinese characteres represent luck , happiness , prosperity , or health . Red is the color for Chinese New Year as it represents good luck . It also symbolizes fire , which is said to drive away bad luck and evil spirits , particularly the legendary monster , “ nian .” Peopple wear red for the New Year , write poems and wishes on red paper , and give red envelopes , called “ laisee ” packets , filled with “ lucky money .”

Symbols and traditions: 

Symbols and traditions Red firecrackers are also an essential part of Chinese New Year . From ancient times to the present , Chinese people have welcomed in the New Year and chased away the evil spirits by setting off firecrackers . Long ago people litbamboo stalks , which crackled and sparked to scare away spirits that could bring bad luck to the year . In the eve of tis day families and people come together for a special meal .

The Chinese New Year Day falls on the following dates in the Gregorian calendar: : 

The Chinese New Year Day falls on the following dates in the Gregorian calendar: Year 2010 Sunday February 14, 2010 Year 2011 Thursday February 3, 2011 Year 2012 Monday January 23, 2012 Year 2013 Sunday February 10, 2013 Year 2014 Friday January 31, 20 Year 2015 Thursday February 19, 2015

DATE: 

DATE New Year's Day is celebrated on the first day of the first month of the Chinese calendar, the Chinese New Year is the second New Moon after the winter solstice.

YEAR OF THE DRAGON: 

YEAR OF THE DRAGON Dragon When it comes to nobility, the Dragon ranks high.  Known as a born leader, the Dragon is the perfect child and adult.  Extremely gifted with luck and strength, this person is usually well respected.  Known as being a perfectionist and idealist, the person under the Dragon sign has a difficult time with aging.  Because of this, you see the Dragon remaining youthful throughout life.

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Rats are said to be imaginative, charming and very generous to those they love - although they do have a tendency to be quick-tempered and over-critical. They are supposed to make good writers, critics and publicists. Oxen are born leaders, inspiring confidence in everyone they come into contact with. However, they can be too demanding. Methodical and good with their hands, they make fine surgeons and hairdressers. Tigers are said to be bold and adventurous, and are bestowed with initiative and charm. However, they have a tendency to be risk takers, making them act before they think about the consequences. They tend to make good bosses, explorers or racing drivers.

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Rabbits are affectionate, co-operative and pleasant, with lots of friends. But they can get too sentimental and seem superficial. Ideal careers areas include law, diplomacy or the stage. Dragons tend to be popular individuals who are always full of life and enthusiasm, with a reputation for being fun-loving. They make good priests , artists and politicians . People born in the year of the Snake are romantic and deep-thinking, wise and charming, although they tend to dismiss others too quickly and are a bit stingy with money. Ideal jobs include teaching or psychiatry .

PowerPoint Presentation: 

If you are born in the Year of the Horse then you are amazingly hard working and very independent. Although you are intelligent and friendly, you can sometimes be a bit selfish. Careerwise you would make a good scientist or poet . Those born in the Year of the Sheep are said to be charming, elegant and artistic, who like material comforts. A bit of a worrier they also have a tendency to complain about things. Jobs as actors , gardeners or beachcombers would suit . If you are born in the Year of the Monkey , you are very intelligent, well-liked by everyone, and will have success in any field you choose. Lucky old you !

PowerPoint Presentation: 

The sign of the Rooster indicates a person who is hard-working and definite about their decisions. Roosters are not afraid to speak their minds and can therefore sometimes come across as boastful. They make good restaurant owners and world travellers . Dogs are honest and faithful to those they love but they tend to worry too much and find fault with others. They make ideal secret agents or business people . People born in the Year of the Boar are honest and tolerant and make good friends, but tend to expect the same from everyone else, and more often than not they end up disappointed. They thrive in the arts as entertainers .

The Chinese Lunar Calendar: 

The Chinese Lunar Calendar The Chinese Lunar Calendar names each of the twelve years after an animal. Legend has it that the Lord Buddha summoned all the animals to come to him before he departed from earth. Only twelve came to bid him farewell and as a reward he named a year after each one in the order they arrived. The Chinese believe the animal ruling the year in which a person is born has a profound influence on personality, saying: "This is the animal that hides in your heart."

This festival is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays: 

This festival is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays The 15th day of the new year is called the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated at night with lantern displays and children carrying lanterns in a parade.

Spring Couplets: 

Spring Couplets Spring couplets are traditionally written with black ink on red paper. They are hung in storefronts in the month before the New Year’s Day, and often stay up for two months. They express best wishes and fortune for the coming year. There is a great variety in the writing of these poetic couplets to fit the situation. A store would generally use couplets hat make references to their line of trade. Couplets that say "Happy New Year" and " Continuing Advancement in Education" are apprpriate for a school.

Food: 

Food Although preferences vary from region to region, some examples include the following : Yusheng , a salad of raw fish and shredded crunchy vegetables (such as carrots, jicama , pickled ginger and pomelo ) in a plum sauce dressing. Mandarin oranges (a symbol of wealth and good fortune). The Cantonese word for these oranges is a homonym for gold .