Chinese New Year Party
Chinese New Year in Canada
Chinese New Year marks the first day of the New Year in the Chinese
calendar. Alternate
name is the Spring Festival.
Chinese New Year 2012 is on
Monday, January 23, 2012.
Chinese New Year is a vibrant and festive occasion for many people
in Canada. Many Chinese Canadian families spend time together giving
gifts, particularly red envelopes with money (Hong
Bao
or
Lai See)
that are normally given to children.
Some Canadian organizations have also participated in Chinese New
Year through various activities over the years. For example, Canada
Post issued special stamps to welcome the Chinese New Year in
previous times. The Royal Canadian Mint also marked Chinese New Year
with a new series of coins in the past.
The Chinese community in Canada has a long history dating back to
the 19th century. The Chinese moved to Canada for various reasons
related to employment and opportunities associated with the Canada’s
growth. All across Canada, starting in the 1890s, cities and larger
towns began to develop their own Chinatown districts.
British Columbia was home to more than 60 percent of Canada's
Chinese before World War II, according to sources such as Library
and Archives Canada. But for many years after a ban on Chinese
immigration was revoked in 1947, the province received only
one-third of new Chinese immigrants. This meant that Chinese
families were settling all across Canada. Canada is today seen as a
multicultural country in which festivals such as Chinese New Year
are celebrated each year.
Symbols
Chinese New Year has various symbols and traditions. For example,
flowers are an important part of New Year decorations. Writings that
refer to good luck are often seen in homes and business
environments. They are usually written by brush on a diamond-shaped
piece of red paper. Tangerines and oranges are also displayed in
many homes and stores as a sign of luck and wealth.
Envelopes with money (Hong
Bao,
Ang Pao,
or
Lai See)
often come in the color red, which symbolizes happiness, good luck,
success and good fortune. These envelopes are mainly given as
presents to children. Each Chinese New Year is associated with an
animal name for one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.
Zodiac
The
Year of the Dragon
Article from
About Sichuan China
In Chinese astrology the dragon is the only animal of the Chinese
zodiac year that is not real, very much revered, and holds
special significance for the Chinese people.
More than 4,000 years ago, there were two large tribes and many
smaller tribes in China. The tribes had animals as emblems. The two
large tribes unified and chose the dragon as their symbol. In fact,
the Han Chinese still call themselves the descendants of the Dragon.
In Chinese astrology the dragon was seen as a powerful almighty king
because it was made up of different parts of animals such as a
tiger, fish, snake and an eagle.
The Chinese dragon was not seen as a threatening evil being as we do
in the west - rather a symbol of power, superiority and rule.
Still today, the Dragon is a revered symbol. You can see many
sculptures and carvings of the dragon. Even today, the Chinese
associate the dragon with power and wisdom.
In Chinese astrology a dragon person is special. Born in the Chinese
Year of the Dragon they usually stand out as befits a dragon. They
are powerful and wise.
In a group of people, "the Chinese Year of the Dragon person" stands
out. There is a certain aura about them.
They certainly are not shy – they demand attention and respect.
The dragon is a symbol of
power.
Therefore in Chinese astrology the dragon person born under this
Chinese Zodiac sign tends to be a "doer" – they do things and
achieve power by getting things done.
A dragon can breathe out fire so the person born in the Chinese Year
of the Dragon can be a hothead. Watch out if you make them angry!
However, the dragon has a soft underbelly and so in Chinese
astrology the dragon person born in this Chinese Zodiac year has a
"soft spot" to them. They may get angry at someone who annoys them
but they also show great compassion to people in need.
A dragon has a long tongue which is often seen.
The dragon person born in this Chinese Zodiac year has a sharp
tongue – they will say things that can be quite sarcastic and
biting. They can be quite a confronting person but if you can
reach their "soft heart" they are worthwhile allies.
What does 2012 hold for a person born in the Chinese Year of the
Dragon?
The dragon people can double their efforts in whatever they do -
work, education and other projects. Their natural talent and
abilities should stand out with great results. However, watch
out for that temper! Keep it in check and do not spoil your
good work otherwise it can be dangerous!
HAPPY CHINESE
NEW YEAR
YEAR OF THE DRAGON
CHINESE NEW YEAR SONGS