Chinese New Year 2009
The New Year celebration, which takes place on December 31,
is according to the Christian calendar. Many traditional countries
have different days for assuring in New Year. For instance,
it is different in Japan. Similarly, the date of New Year
in India, a Hindu dominated country is different. It happens
sometime during March. Also, the Chinese New Year is different
from the Christian calendar. The Chinese follow the moon movements
to decide the date of the New Year. The Chinese New Year 2009
year starts on February 12 for the Chinese. Unlike December
31 New Year celebrations, Chinese welcome the New Year in
a traditional manner. A lot of festivities, including dining
and dancing, are part of the celebration.
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For those, who failed to keep the New Year resolutions
made on the night of December 31, this - the Chinese
New year 2009 - is a second chance to start them with
a fresh beginning. There are a lot of rituals associated
with the Chinese New Year. The preparations to usher
in the Chinese new year commences at least month before
the celebrated day. Chinese commence from the basic
like cleaning the house spic and span to get rid of
evil lucks and bad memories.
People start visiting markets to buy household decorations
and accessories to deck up the interiors and exteriors.
The most famous decorative article from the Chinese
is the lantern. Every Chinese family necessarily buys
a new bamboo lantern, which is hung in the center of
the house. Similarly, wind chimes are part of the celebrations.
Fresh wind chimes are bought and tied at the entrance
of the house. Wind chimes are supposed to bring fresh
air, luck and charm to the house.
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Large picture: Chinese
New year |
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Traditional feast is part of the celebration. Chinese cuisine
like Mandarin dishes, sea food like prawns, oysters, crabs
and shrimp, dumplings and Manchurian are cooked on the day
of the New Year. Families invite friends and relatives to
celebrate the new year. The Chinese believe in celebrating
the new year among communities and in the neighborhood.
As the clock strikes 12 at mid night, fire works are started.
Normally, the local municipal administration sponsors the
fire works. During the night of New Year, Chinese indulge
in friendly games of cards and poker.
On the day of the new year, Chinese practice an ancient
custom called Hong Bao, which means a red packet. Elders
hand over red packets to kids in their families. The red
packet is supposed to contain money and greetings. This
is a way of convey good luck. Each family visits the other
in the neighborhood to wish good luck for the New year.
Happy Chinese New Year 2009
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