Chinese New Year, Calendar Predictions and Star Signs

Topic: Chinese New Year, Calendar Predictions and Star Signs

Fun Fact of the Day: Celebrations of Chinese New Year in the U.S. can be dated back as far as 1860 and perhaps began even earlier (www.sanfranciscochinatown.com).

There are twelve Chinese year signs in the Chinese Zodiac. Unlike in our western astrology, in Chinese astrology each sign lasts for a year. Chinese astrology is based on the Lunar Calendar. This means the Chinese New Year does not fall on the same day each year and can vary by as much as 3 weeks. So for babies born in late January/early February it is necessary to consult the charts to determine the correct sign. Each sign repeats every 12 years. Chinese astrology is based on the Lunar Calendar. This means the Chinese New Year does not fall on the same day each year and can vary by as much as 3 weeks.
 Discuss the following topic with us and you will get to know more on "Chinese New Year":

1. What is the difference between the lunar and solar calendars? Do you know why “Chinese New Year,” which has 12 signs and 5 elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water), began on the 23 of January this year but changes every year? What do you know about this system?

2. Do you believe that “signs” have a meaning, either zodiac animal signs or sun signs? Do you think that people with certain signs have special characteristics or attributes? Are there signs that tend to be compatible or antagonistic, either in general or to each other?

3. Do you believe in horoscopes? Do you read them or follow their advice? Do you think they can predict actions in the coming year?

4. There are many predictions for the following year based on calendars. The Mayan Calendar has sparked controversy over the end of the world and the Year of the Dragon will be potentially “prosperous” or “disastrous.” Do you believe any of these predictions?

5. Even if you do not believe in signs personally, do they affect our lives? Can signs or predictions define group mentality about the coming year, for example? Do people start to believe in predictions because they are often in the news?

6. What do you hope will happen during the Year of the “Water” Dragon?

Sun Signs: Aries (Mar21-Apr20): Assertive, impulsive, aggressive, humanitarian; Taurus (Apr21-May20): Resourceful, thorough, sometimes indulgent; Gemini (May21-Jun21): Imaginative, sensitive, sometimes impractical; Cancer (Jun22-Jul22): Tenacious, calm, sensitive, sometimes clinging; Leo (Jul23-Aug22): Arrogant, dominating, generous; Virgo (Aug23-Sep22): Practical, efficient, sometimes over-critical; Libra (Sep23-Oct22): Cooperative, fair, sometimes indecisive; Scorpio (Oct23-Nov21): Intelligent, cunning, sensitive; Sagittarius (Nov22-Dec21): Intelligent, straightforward, sometimes careless; Capricorn (Dec22-Jan20): Intelligent, ambitious, can't trust anyone easily, introverts, straightforward; Aquarius (Jan21-Feb18): Logical, hard working, cold, detached; Pisces (Feb19-Mar20): Passionate, kind, unconventional, emotional, sometimes obsessive.

Animal Signs: Rat: quick-witted, smart, charming, and persuasive; Ox: patient, kind, stubborn, and conservative; Tiger: authoritative, emotional, courageous, and intense; Rabbit: popular, compassionate, and sincere; Dragon: energetic, fearless, warm-hearted, and charismatic; Snake: charming, gregarious, introverted, generous, and smart; Horse: energetic, independent, impatient, and enjoy traveling; Sheep: mild-mannered, shy, kind, and peace-loving; Monkey: fun, energetic, and active; Rooster: independent, practical, hard-working, and observant; Dog: patient, diligent, generous, faithful, and kind; Pig: loving, tolerant, honest, and appreciative of luxury.

 Schedule:

Saturday 28 of January at 10:30

Thursday 09 of February at 5:30- Special Skype Conference! “Ruffner Mountaion NP” (Birmingham (Alabama)).

READ MORE: 8 Ways to Celebrate Chinese New Year (by: Kah Joon Liow)

What are the Chinese New Year activities for celebrating this most important festival in the Chinese calendar? Let's start at the beginning... In China, Chinese New Year is called the Spring Festival. That’s because the first day of Chinese New Year falls on the start of spring. The beginning of spring is a fresh start… It's the start of a new year of sowing and reaping. A wish for a good harvest in the year ahead. (That's how the Chinese character for "year" nian2 年 came about). A cause for celebration! All around the world, Chinese families... put up Chinese New Year scrolls on both sides of the door, set off firecrackers (It's illegal in many Chinese cities now, but people do it anyway) and married adults give children red envelopes filled with “lucky money”. Chinese New Year activities begin 2-4 weeks before the "big day". Here's what you can do to celebrate Chinese New Year. It's what Chinese families do all over the world. 

1. Clean up the house. Select a day and together with the family, clean up the house. This ritual gets rid of bad luck in the ending year and welcomes in good luck in the New Year.

2. Send greeting cards. Send greeting cards with New Year wishes to friends, relatives and colleagues. Remember to post your greeting cards early! 

3. Go shopping. Go shopping to buy new clothes for the whole family, food and sweets, and festive home decorations. Looking for Chinese New Year activities for kids? Go to http://www.living-chinese-symbols.com/chinese-new-year-activities.html.

4. Get ready some red packets. You'll need them later. 

5. Decorate the house. Hang Chinese New Year scrolls called spring couplets on both sides of the door to usher in good wishes for the New Year. Paste paper cuts of upside down good fortune "fu" characters, happy children and tangerine oranges on the wall. Make sure you have vases of flowers in the house during Chinese New Year. They do more than just add a New Year atmosphere to the home. Living plants symbolize growth and flowers represent wealth and prosperity. Palm blossoms can be arranged together with bamboo and pine. They stand for endurance, nobility and longevity. Other favorite flowers are pussy willow, azalea, peony and water lily or narcissus. 

6. Prepare the reunion dinner. Gather your family together for this most important and sumptuous meal of the year on Chinese New Year ’s Eve. Prepare a meal with auspicious dishes like chicken, fish, oysters, dumplings, green vegetables and noodles. They have meanings of prosperity, longevity and abundance / http://www.living-chinese-symbols.com/chinese-new-year-activities.html/. 

7. Pass the year. After a hearty meal, stay up late to “pass the year” guo4 nian2 过年, an ancient tradition. You can watch TV, play card games, or chat. After midnight (or on the morning of Chinese New Year's day), give your children the red envelopes filled with money (called “lucky money”). Put the red packets under the pillow of children. This is said to ward off evil. 

8. Send New Year greetings. Call up friends or SMS them on the morning of Chinese New Year and wish them Happy New Year, Good Health and Prosperity. Visit the homes of friends and relatives with two big tangerines. Bring red packets to give to the children at the homes you're visiting. These are eight ways to have a roaring Chinese New Year celebration with family and friends! Eight is the most auspicious number for Chinese people. It means wealthy and prosperous. Here's to your good health and prosperity in the New Year!