Lunar New YearBy Maria L LeEDHD 5007
It’s a Celebration!
Lunar New Year isCelebrated by people inChina, Vietnam andKorea. New year lastsabout four days.
The biggest feature ofthe New Year’scelebration is theDragon and LionDances, whichsymbolizes good luckin the new year.
2006 – Year of The Dog
The animal signs are a 12-year cycle used for datingthe years.
They represent a cyclicalconcept of time, rather thanthe Western linear conceptof time.
The Lunar Calendar isbased on the cycles of themoon, and is constructedin a different fashion thanthe Western solarcalendar.
In the Lunar calendar, thebeginning of the year fallssomewhere between lateJanuary and earlyFebruary.
The Story behind the Zodiac
LegendAccording to Chinese legend, the twelve animals quarreled oneday as to who was to head the cycle of years. The gods wereasked to decide and they held a contest: whoever was to reachthe opposite bank of the river would be first, and the rest of theanimals would receive their years according to their finish.
All the twelve animals gathered at the river bank and jumpedin. Unknown to the ox, the rat had jumped upon his back. As theox was about to jump ashore, the rat jumped off the ox's back,and won the race. The pig, who was very lazy, ended up last.That is why the rat is the first year of the animal cycle, the oxsecond, and the pig last.
Traditions
Respect to elders isvery important tomany Asiancultures. On NewYear’s, adults givechildren red moneypackets to wishprosperity and goodfortune in thecoming year.
New Year Dresses
Every new year,people wear theirnew traditionaldresses tocelebrate the newyear.
New Year Fun!
Chinese, Vietnamese and Koreanpeople often go to parades andcommunity events during the NewYear. It’s all about the fun!
New Year Feasts
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Sticky rice cakesare among thespecial foodseaten at NewYear.
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