Moose Jaw Express Chinese New Year 2023

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT CHINESE NEW YEAR

Chinese New Year 2023 falls on Sunday, January 22nd, 2023, and celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival on February 5th, 2023. Celebrations last up to 16 days, but only the first 7 days are considered a public holiday (January 22nd–January 29th, 2023). Chinese New Year is celebrated by more than 20% of the world. It’s the most important holiday in China and to Chinese people all over.

Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival. It is a welcome to spring, planting and harvests, new beginnings and fresh starts. It is also called the Lunar New Year, because countries such as North and South Korea and Vietnam celebrate it as well.

There’s no set date for Chinese New Year. According to the Lunar calendar, the Spring Festival is on January 1st and lasts until the 15th (the full moon).

It is a day for praying. The Spring Festival was originally a ceremonial day to pray for a good planting and harvest season.

…and fighting off monsters. According to one legend, there was a monster named Nian (年). It would come about every New Year’s Eve. Most people would hide in their homes. But one boy was brave enough to fight him off using firecrackers. The next day, people celebrated their survival by setting off even more firecrackers. And that practice became a crucial part of the Spring Festival.

The most fireworks are set off in the world that night. Firecrackers are supposed to scare off monsters and bad luck. People stay up on Chinese New Year’s Eve and set off firecrackers at midnight. In the morning, firecrackers are used again to welcome the new year and good luck. That same night, families also burn fake paper money and printed gold bars in honor of their deceased loved ones.

It is the longest Chinese holiday. The Spring Festival is technically 15 days. But celebrations start on New Year’s Eve (making it 16 days). Traditionally, you have to spend time with your family and can only go out after the 5th day. It’s a national holiday. The large majority of stores are closed too.

The Spring Festival causes the largest human migration in the world. The most important part of Chinese New Year is the family reunion. Everyone should come back home for the New Year’s Eve dinner.

Singles hire fake boy/girlfriends to take home. Since having children and passing down the family name is one of the most important parts in Chinese culture, some desperate singles resort to hire a fake boyfriend or girlfriend to take home. Those who can’t (or don’t want to) go home can rent themselves out.

No showering, sweeping or throwing out garbage allowed! Showering isn’t allowed New Year’s Day. Sweeping and throwing out garbage isn’t allowed before the 5th. This is to make sure you don’t wash away

the good luck! On the other hand, there’s a day before the Spring Festival dedicated to cleaning. This day is to sweep the bad luck away and make room for the good.

What else is taboo during Chinese New Year?

Hair cutting (before February 2)

· Using scissors, knives and other sharp things

· Arguing, swearing

· Saying unlucky words (such as “death” and “sickness”)

· Breaking things

Children receive lucky money in red envelopes. This money is supposed to help transfer fortune from the elders to the kids. They can also be given between bosses and employees, co-workers, and friends.

You eat dumplings for every meal, every day. Technically you’re supposed to. But not many people do that anymore because you can have too much of even the most delicious foods. So most people will eat dumplings during the New Year’s Eve dinner. Others will eat them for the first breakfast. This is more of a northern China thing; in the South, people would rather eat spring rolls (egg rolls) and balls of glutinous rice in soup called tangyuan (汤圆).

Chinese New Year desserts have special meanings. Tangyuan means “soup balls.” But it sounds like tuanyuan (团圆), which means reunion. Nian gao (年糕) is a type of rice cake. It symbolizes success each and every year. Fa gao (发糕) is a the hybrid of sponge cakes and muffins. People dye it festive colors. The fa is the same as in fa cai (发财), which means “to get rich.” And everyone wants that!

There’s wine specifically for the Spring Festival. There’s a saying that there’s no manners and/or etiquette without wine. This means that you need to have wine for every ceremony, festival or important dinner. When you’re eating with someone older than you, as is the case with New Year’s dinners, you need to follow strict toasting etiquette rules.

The Chinese decorate everything red for Chinese New Year. Every family will deck their homes in this color. New clothes are also believed to bring good luck and start over fresh.

Every year has a zodiac animal. There are 12 Chinese zodiacs,but the animal is for the entire year. 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit. Some of the animals (such as Rat, Snake, Dog and Pig) aren’t normally well-liked in Chinese culture. But as a zodiac, their positive traits are bestowed on people born that year. They play a much

Your zodiac year is bad luck. In the 12 year cycle, it is the unluckiest for you. During this year, your weapon of defense is the color red. Just as you can decorate your home in red for protection and fortune, you can also wear red clothing. Many people will wear red underwear every day of the year. Others add on red shirts, pants, jewelry, insoles and more!

The New Year greeting in Chinese literally means “Happy New Year.” But in Hong Kong and other Cantonese-speaking regions, it’s more common to say “gong hei fat choy.” In Mandarin Chinese, it’s “gong xi fa cai” (恭喜发财). It means “congratulations on the fortune.” Greetings or blessings are most about plentiful harvests, wealth and fortune, health and longevity and having children and large families. Food, money and health are things that everyone wants. Passing down the family name is of utmost importance. That’s one of the reasons why China has such a large population.

Chinese New Year ends with the Lantern Festival. The first full moon of the (lunar) year is the Yuanxiao Festival (元宵节 / yuán xiāo jié) or Lantern Festival ( 灯节 / dēng jié). Though family is still important, it’s still a night of partying and freedom. In ancient times, girls weren’t allowed to venture outside by themselves. But on this night, they were able to walk around, moon-gaze and look at the beautiful lanterns. Because of this, it’s also known as Valentine’s Day in China.

bigger role than in Western cultures. Your animal can decide your career, health and relationship success. Make sure you find out what zodiac animal you are!

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SIGNIFICANCE OF NEW CLOTHES

This Chinese tradition goes all the way back to the Northern and Southern dynasties (420–589 AD). In the Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD), everyone would show off their new clothing as they visited friends on New Year’s Day.

In the Republican period (1912–1949), beautiful new clothes were needed as the youth paid their respects to the elders.

The Spring Festival is a time of change and new beginnings. Most activities during the Spring Festival have the purpose of removing the old and wel-

coming the new. Forget about the misfortunes and be ready for good luck. In addition, new clothes are auspicious and can protect you from evil spirits. People splurge and treat themselves. If you’re looking for some stylish shoes, careful with your timing when buying them, Some Chinese, especially Cantonese, are superstitious about buying shoes during the Chinese New Year holiday. So make sure you grab a pair before the festivities start. Also, you should never give shoes as a gift, since in Chinese the word for shoes 鞋 (xié) sounds like the word for “evil” or “bad

Why is Your Chinese Zodiac Year Bad Luck?

Being in your Ben Ming Nian (birth year) is traditionally believed to be a year of setbacks and delays at best and disasters at worst. According to folklore, people in their Ben Ming Nian are most susceptible to incurring the wrath of Tai Sui for that year. In love, for example, tradition dictates it is best to avoid getting married or engaged in these years, otherwise the marriage may not last.

In terms of work, switching jobs or starting businesses could lead to severe financial difficulties. Even other major ventures like moving house, traveling great distances, etc. are generally advised against.

Rabbit (兔 / Tù) - Year of the Rabbit

…include 2023, 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, 1927...

People born in the Year of the Rabbit are gentle, quiet and polite, vigilant, witty, quick-minded and ingenious, and skillful. They are kind, patient, intelligent, elegant and chic. Their sense of responsibility and attention to detail lead to great career success. They sometimes are reluctant to reveal their minds to others and having a tendency to escape reality, but always faithful to those around them. They take love seriously. The sign of Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture.

Male Rabbits are characterized by always treating people politely, with a gentle smile, credible and sincere. When encountering difficulties, they are never discouraged but instead remain persistent in their endeavors to find solutions. This means they eventually achieve enviable success.

Female Rabbits are personified as follows: apart from having a pretty and demure appearance, they have a pure heart.

2023 is a year of the Water Rabbit,

starting from January 22nd, 2023 (Chinese New Year), and ending on February 9th, 2024 (Chinese New Year’s Eve). The sign of Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture. 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope. The most compatible zodiac signs for Rabbits are Goats, Dogs, and Pigs.

luck” 邪 (xié).

In ancient times, men were not allowed to go without a headdress. There are fancier choices for women. No chopsticks as hair accessories; ornate wands are used. They usually taper off to an intricate design, inlaid with jewels, and trinkets hang off the end.

When buying clothes for Chinese New Year, go for red. This is the best color for the occasion. Stay away from black and white, as they are unlucky and negative.

Lucky Things for People

Born in a Year of the Rabbit

Lucky numbers: 3, 4, 6, and numbers containing them (like 34 and 46)

Lucky days: the 26th, 27th, and 29th of every Chinese lunar month

Lucky colors: red, pink, purple, blue, green Lucky flowers: plantain lily, jasmine Lucky directions: east, south and northwest Lucky months: the 1st, 4th, 8th, and 11th Chinese lunar months

How to be luckier: Wear red underwear and socks, and carry or wear lucky dog trinkets.

Things that Rabbits should avoid:

Unlucky numbers: 1, 7, and 8

Unlucky colors: dark brown, dark yellow, white Unlucky directions: north, west, and southwest

Best-Suited Careers for Rabbits

Intellectual, scholarly, and learned, Rabbits are more likely to enjoy a good career as well as wealth. With a pair of dexterous hands, Rabbits have a gift for calligraphy and painting as well as tailoring and cooking.

The best careers for Rabbits are in the fields of cultivation, breeding, education, religion, health care, medicine, culture, police/judiciary work, and politics.

WHY IS THE RABBIT RANKED FOURTH IN CHINESE ZODIAC?

Legend has it that in ancient times, the zodiac Rabbit had a long, furry tail. Every day, he liked to curl his tail round himself and sleep comfortably in his hole. When hungry, he would stick his head out and lazily eat the green grass at the entrance of his hole.

It didn’t take long for the grass on the entire hillside to be eaten up by Rabbit, revealing a bare hole. One day, a wolf noticed the bare grassy slope and found the place where the rabbit lived. It was quietly lurking in the grass not far from the entrance of the hole, preparing to ambush Rabbit.

When the sun was up, Rabbit woke up hungry and ate the grass beside the hole as usual. The wolf bit into Rabbit’s long tail , and only then, Rabbit reacted and kicked his hind legs vigorously. When the wolf was kicked in the face, its sharp teeth bit off Rabbit’s tail with its own forceful reaction. After the wolf was knocked unconscious for a few seconds, it immediately gave chase in the direction of Rabbit.

At this moment, a roar came from the sky and a little white dragon stepped between Rabbit and the wolf. He stopped the wolf who was chasing the Rabbit. Rabbit’s instincts made him not stop to think

about it, and just use his last ounce of strength to escape.

Eventually Rabbit could barely run any more. Just as he was about to rest under a tree for a while, he seemed to see Ox standing behind the line, Rat on Ox’s head, and Tiger behind the Ox... It turned out that Rabbit had accidentally crossed the finish line of the zodiac sign race. When he woke up, he found 11 animals surrounding him, as well as the little white dragon who helped Rabbit escape the wolf’s mouth. Therefore, in the ranking of the zodiac, Rabbit comes fourth and Dragon ranks fifth.

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