Gong Xi Fa Cai. Happy Lucky Chinese New Year 2011
by Some say that the celebration of the new year is as important in China as Christmas is to the west.
The most important time of the year on the Chinese calendar is the Lunar New Year. The Chinese New Year celebration begins on the first new moon of the year and ends 15 days later when the moon is full.
The holiday is a time when Chinese family reunite over a holdiay meal on the eve of the new year. The holiday has two distinct parts. It begins with the Spring Festival and ends with the Lantern Festival.
Between the two celebrations are any number of observances. For instance, there is a day set aside for a woman to married woman to visit her birth family. There are also times set aside to remember and venerate ancestors.
Along with special meals and special foods, there are also gifts and new clothes. One of the primary gifts if a gift of money which is often given in a special red envelope. It is customary to give the children new clothes and money.
Blessings and wishes for good luck, good fortune and good health abound in this holiday season. It is important to start the new year off right.
All good things must come to an end. The new year celebration ends in the lantern festival. The festival is celebrated with many bright and very ornate lanterns. Often the lanterns are decorated with riddles which the children are meant to solve.
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