I must admit, I was among the segment of the American population that doesn't know a lot about the Chinese New Year. So, I set about learning about the traditions and meaning of this special holiday. I learned a lot, and I will share some of my findings with you.

Chinese New Year is a custom that dates back to centuries ago. While no one actually knows when the celebrations first started, some say the holiday dates back to 2600 BC, when Emperor Huang Ti introduced the first zodiac cycle. Chinese New Year is the most important holiday for Chinese people. Japan, Korea, and Vietnam also observe this holiday. The Chinese New Year is also called the "Spring Festival." The Chinese New Year is steeped in centuries of tradition. This holiday also offers individuals a chance to renew New Year's resolutions that were made on December 31, and possibly forgotten already.

Based on information I found at ChineseNewYear.com, preparations for Chinese New Year usually begin several weeks before the holiday. Since Chinese New Year falls on February 8 in the year 2008, preparations most likely began around the first week of January in many households around the world. Houses are cleaned thoroughly, to ward off bad luck, and then decorated with paper decorations that have themes printed on them, such as 'prosperity' and 'longevity.' These paper decorations ward off bad luck. Since the Chinese believe that red is the color of good luck because it symbolizes fire and drives away evil and bad luck, doors and window frames are freshly painted with a new coat of red paint. Presents are bought, and lots of food is purchased to be prepared on the eve of Chinese New Year.

On New Year's Eve, a large feast is prepared and shared with family and friends. Among the foods served are seafood and dumplings, prawns, oysters and a salad containing raw fish. Each of these foods are believed to bring about good things. It is customary to wear red clothes to ward off evil spirits. After the feast is over, families get together and play games or watch television. At midnight, fireworks are set off to celebrate the dawning of the Chinese New Year.

According to Fireworks.com, on the actual day, it is again customary to wear clothes in the color of red. If you don't have red clothing, you can wear any other colors except for black and white, as they are the colors of mourning. It is also customary for married couples to give red envelopes containing "lucky money" to children and unmarried adults. This custom is called "Hong Bao," or "Red Packet." After this tradition is taken care of, families will go door-to-door, first greeting relatives, and then their neighbors, to pass on good will, and get rid of any lingering grudges.

Chinese New Year wraps up with the Festival of Lanterns, which includes lantern shows, singing and dancing. This year, 2008, the Chinese New Year will be celebrated on February 8th, according to the calendar I was able to find at www.chinesenewyear.com. 2008 is also the Year of the Rat. It is also said that the Chinese use the custom of giving years the names of animals, as an alternative to asking one's age. They simply ask what one's animal sign is, and from there, the person's age can be estimated within a 12-year zodiac cycle. Happy Chinese New Year!

Information for this article compiled from ChineseNewYear.com, and Fireworks.com.

Learn more about this author, Maggie O'Leary.
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