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The most important and most widely celebrated festival among the Chinese is the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year. In China, this festival is known by various names - Yuan Chen, the time of the beginning; Yuan Zheng, the beginning of the first month; or Yuan Ri, the first day. However, since 1911, the Chinese refer to it as Chun Jie - the Spring Festival. Overseas Chinese always refer to it as the Chinese Lunar New Year. This is because it falls on the first day of the first moon in the Lunar calendar. The Chinese New Year can occur on any date between January 21 and February 20.

Each year is given the name of one of these animals: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. This list lasts for 12 years and then starts again. In 2000, the dragon year was celebrated with great ceremony because many Chinese believe this is the most auspicious of the animals.

Preparations begin weeks in advance. Housewives start by cleaning their homes and baking many kinds of cakes eaten only during the Chinese New Year season. One week before the New Year, the "Kitchen God" (so called because his altar is placed in the kitchen), goes to Heaven to report to the Father of the Gods, everything he has seen and heard in the house. In order to ensure a "sweet" report is made, Chinese housewives make a sweet and sticky cake, and on this day a small piece is put into the Kitchen God's mouth.

On the last day of the old year, there is a big family dinner. All members of the family try to be present at this meal. This "reunion" dinner often takes days to prepare. Shopping for choice ingredients can begin weeks before the actual day. Old quarrels are forgotten, old debts must be paid and the family that sits together on New Year's Eve will have lasting peace and harmony. Senior married family members distribute red packets called "and pow" to the younger ones. These "lucky" packets should not be opened until the next day. Children are encouraged to stay awake to welcome the New Year in the belief that when they do their parents will live longer.

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