Chinese
New Year is the longest and most important celebration in
the Chinese
calendar. The Chinese year 4705 begins on February 18th 2007.
Chinese months are reckoned by the lunar calendar, with each
month beginning on the darkest day. New Year festivities
traditionally start on the first day of the month and continue
until the fifteenth, when the moon is brightest. In China,
people may take weeks of holiday from work to prepare for
and celebrate the New Year.
The year of the Pig
Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the
animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and
Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the
people born in each animal's year would have some of that
animal's personality. Those born in pig years tend to have
excellent manners, make and keep friends, work very hard,
and appreciate luxury. They are very loving and make loyal
partners.
Chinese New Year ends with the lantern festival on the fifteenth
day of the month. Some of the lanterns may be works of art,
painted with birds, animals, flowers, zodiac signs, and scenes
from legend and history. People hang glowing lanterns in
temples, and carry lanterns to an evening parade under the
light of the full moon.
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