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Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is the oldest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar. In China, people may take weeks off from work to prepare for and celebrate the New Year. Also known as the Spring Festival, Chinese New Year is filled with many festivities.

Before the festivities, however, Chinese people clean their houses to sweep away bad luck. On New Year's Eve, cleaning supplies are put away so the good luck cannot be swept away. Houses are decorated with paper scrolls that say things like 'Happiness' and 'Wealth'.

On New Year's Eve, families often gather. They have a large, traditional meal that includes many different types of food depending on where people live. In north China, people eat a steamed dumpling. In the south they eat a sticky, sweet rice pudding.

People stay up until midnight setting off fireworks. This is to frighten away evil spirits. The color red represents fire and itis believed that fire scares away evil spirits. Thus, it is customary to see people dress head to foot in new red clothing.

On New Year's Day kids wake up to find a red envelope under their pillows. It is filled with money and sweets left by relatives.

Chinese New Year ends with the lantern festival. The lanterns are often hand painted. Some have scenes from history and others show legends. People hang glowing lanterns in their windows. They also carry lanterns under the light of the full moon. A dragon dance happens too. The dragon is made of paper, silk and bamboo and is held by young men dancing and guiding it around to collect money.

Gung hei fat choi! Happy New Year!

* Horse - February 12, 2002 | January 31, 2014

* Sheep - February 1, 2003 | February 19, 2015

* Monkey - January 22, 2004 | February 8, 2016

* Rooster - February 9, 2005 | January 28, 2017

* Dog - January 29, 2006 | February 16, 2018

* Pig - February 18, 2007 | February 5, 2019

* Rat - February 7, 2008 | January 25, 2020

* Ox – January 26, 2009 | February 12, 2021

* Tiger - February 14, 2010 | February 1, 2022

* Rabbit - February 3, 2011 | January 22, 2023

* Dragon – January 23, 2012 | February 2, 2024

* Snake - February 10, 2013 | January 29, 2025

* Horse – January 31, 2014 | February 17, 2026

* Sheep - February 19, 2015| February 6, 2027

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