Chinese New Year is the most important celebration in the Chinese calendar, marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Also called the Spring Festival, it is based on the Lunar Calendar and corresponds to the first new moon of the year.
The Chinese year 4714 begins on Feb. 8, 2016 and this is the Year of the Monkey.
Why a Monkey?
The Chinese year 4714 begins on Feb. 8, 2016 and this is the Year of the Monkey.
Why a Monkey?
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 traits. Those born in monkey years are often clever, fun, energetic, curious, and mischievous. In addition, their gentleness and honesty bring them an everlasting love life. Although they were born with enviable skills, they still have several shortcomings, such as an impetuous temper, a jealous and suspicious nature, and a tendency to be selfish.
He announced that the people born in each animal's year would have some of that animal's personality traits. Those born in monkey years are often clever, fun, energetic, curious, and mischievous. In addition, their gentleness and honesty bring them an everlasting love life. Although they were born with enviable skills, they still have several shortcomings, such as an impetuous temper, a jealous and suspicious nature, and a tendency to be selfish.
Were you born in a Year of the Monkey? Check below to find out:
Jan.25,1944-Feb.12,1945
Feb.12,1956-Jan.30,1957
Jan.30,1968-Feb.16,1969
Feb.16,1980-Feb.4,1981
Feb.4,1992-Jan.22,1993
Jan.22,2004-Feb.8,2005
Feb.8,2016-Jan.27,2017
Jan.26,2028-Feb.12,2029
Feb.12,2040-Feb.28,2041
Feb.1,2052-Feb.18,2053
Some famous people born in monkey years include: Patricia Arquette, Tom Hanks, Eleanor Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Grover Cleveland, Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Douglas, Will Smith, Leonardo da Vinci, Celine Dion, Halle Berry, Christina Aguilera, Diana Ross, Elizabeth Taylor, Mick Jagger, Julius Caesar, Bette Davis, Annie Oakley, Betsy Ross, Cuba Gooding Jr., Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, Nick Jonas and Selena Gomez,Feb.12,1956-Jan.30,1957
Jan.30,1968-Feb.16,1969
Feb.16,1980-Feb.4,1981
Feb.4,1992-Jan.22,1993
Jan.22,2004-Feb.8,2005
Feb.8,2016-Jan.27,2017
Jan.26,2028-Feb.12,2029
Feb.12,2040-Feb.28,2041
Feb.1,2052-Feb.18,2053
Preparing for the New Year
It’s a holiday filled with friends, family, and colorful customs. To prepare for the new year, it’s customary to get rid of any bad luck that may have accumulated in your home during the past year by cleaning it from top to bottom to make room for all the good luck and prosperity the new year will bring. In times when bathing didn’t occur on a regular schedule, this was also an occasion for people to take a bath for a clean start in the new year. Maybe this is where the phrase "washing your sins away" started.
It’s a holiday filled with friends, family, and colorful customs. To prepare for the new year, it’s customary to get rid of any bad luck that may have accumulated in your home during the past year by cleaning it from top to bottom to make room for all the good luck and prosperity the new year will bring. In times when bathing didn’t occur on a regular schedule, this was also an occasion for people to take a bath for a clean start in the new year. Maybe this is where the phrase "washing your sins away" started.
The food is also prepared ahead of time. It can take days to prepare the feasts that will be enjoyed on New Year's Day and the days that follow. But it’s important that these preparations are completed ahead of time as a popular Chinese superstition states that using a knife early in the New Year will “cut off” any good luck that might come to you!
Celebrating the New Year
In China, this is a time when family members gather at each other's homes for visits and shared meals. These feasts usually include fish and dumplings - two foods that signify prosperity. In the United States, however, many early Chinese immigrants arrived without their families and found a sense of community through neighborhood associations instead. Today, many Chinese-American neighborhood associations host banquets and other New Year events.
In China, this is a time when family members gather at each other's homes for visits and shared meals. These feasts usually include fish and dumplings - two foods that signify prosperity. In the United States, however, many early Chinese immigrants arrived without their families and found a sense of community through neighborhood associations instead. Today, many Chinese-American neighborhood associations host banquets and other New Year events.
At Chinese New Year celebrations people wear red clothes, decorate with poems on red paper, and give children "lucky money" in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which according to legend can drive away bad luck. Money in the envelope is given as bills instead of coins so that the amount cannot be guessed and is given in even increments (odd numbers are bad luck). Amounts with the number eight are especially lucky because the word for “eight” in the Chinese language sounds like a word that means “prosperity.” See our article for more information and how to make a red envelope HERE.
Fireworks are launched right after midnight to celebrate and drive away evil. Long ago, people in China lit bamboo stalks, believing that the crackling flames would frighten evil spirits. It’s quite an honor to be the person who launches the first firework as it’s believed that this person will have good luck all year.
The Lantern Festival
The celebration comes to a close on the 15th day of the lunar month with lantern festival. 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.
In many areas, the highlight of the lantern festival is the dragon dance. The dragon—which might stretch a hundred feet long—is typically made of silk, paper, and bamboo. Traditionally the dragon is held aloft by young men who dance as they guide the colorful beast through the streets.
The Chinese New Year Festival is, above all, a time when families, friends and communities gather to not only celebrate a new year, but also enjoy time together. 
