“If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.” Confucius

Chinese New Year: Quotes, Blessings And Tips… 2013 Year of the Snake
Wishing You 歲歲平安 Suìsuì-píng’ān – everylasting peace, year after year!

Chinese New Year: Quotes, Blessings And Tips… Good luck character Zhāocáijìnbǎo
2013 is the Year of the Snake; the Black Water Snake. “Water Snakes are lucky with finances, they always seem to have money flowing their way. They are adventurous spirits and love to take risks. They are also very intelligent and often a wellspring of creative ideas. Water Snakes love to socialize and meet new friends.They are proud of their achievements, and also very thoughtful and considerate of others.
The colour of the 2013 year of Snake is Black. Black color is the Space, Arctic night, darkness on the Abyss, this is a color of deep waters. The Black Snake will bring people unexpected changes, instability, and changeability. That is why it is important in the year of Snake to plan everything beforehand.” via Hanban.com
新年快樂 Xīnniánkuàilè – Happy New Year of the Black Water Snake! Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái. Gōng hè xīn xǐ! Happy celebrating to everyone! Each New Year brings its own set of blessings, reminding us to remember our gifts and dreams for the year, Last year, my Happy Chinese New Year blog post shared ten auspicious, good luck blessings that people shower on each other during the Chinese New Year celebrations. This year, I’m adding twelve good luck blessings and twelve important celebration tips to help us pay attention to details around us and make steady progress towards our goals.
To achieve our goals in the Year of the Snake, which runs from February 10, 2013 to January 30 2014, we must be Focused and Disciplined. The Snake is the sixth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, and is considered the “enigmatic, intuitive, introspective, refined and collected of the Animals Signs.” Ancient Chinese wisdom says a Snake in the house is a good omen.” Enjoy the twelve blessings and important tips/facts on this special day. Kung Hei Fat Choi!
“When you meet someone better than yourself, turn your thoughts to becoming his equal. When you meet someone not as good as you are, look within and examine your own self.” Confucius

Chinese New Year: Quotes, Blessings And Tips… Red Lanterns
恭喜發財; pinyin: Gōngxǐfācái – Congratulations and be prosperous

Chinese New Year: Quotes, Blessings And Tips… Sweet New Year Nian cake
Twelve Blessings/Sayings to Help You Celebrate Chinese New Year
金玉滿堂Jīnyùmǎntáng – “May your wealth [gold and jade] come to fill a hall”
大展鴻圖Dàzhǎnhóngtú – “May you realize your ambitions”
迎春接福Yíngchúnjiēfú – “Greet the New Year and encounter happiness“
萬事如意Wànshìrúyì – “May all your wishes be fulfilled”
吉慶有餘Jíqìngyǒuyú – “May your happiness be without limit”
竹報平安Zhúbàopíng’ān – “May you hear [in a letter] that all is well”
一本萬利Yīběnwànlì – “May a small investment bring ten-thousandfold profits”
福壽雙全Fúshòushuāngquán – “May your happiness and longevity be complete”
招財進寶Zhāocáijìnbǎo – “When wealth is acquired, precious objects follow”
歲歲平安 Suìsuì-píng’ān – “everlasting peace year after year”
新年快樂 Xīnniánkuàile – “Happy new year“
恭喜發財 Gōngxǐfācái – “Congratulations and be prosperous”.
The Chinese New Year is the most important celebration to start off a year of good deeds and fortune. The snake brings lucky qualities in the form of Colors: Yellow, Red; Day: Monday; Directions: Southwest, Northeast; and Numbers: 2, 4, 7, and 9. In addition to honoring the lucky qualities of the designated animal for each year, people look for popular and auspicious blessings/sayings to share. Above are twelve of the most popular auspicious greetings and sayings. They consist of four Chinese characters and special blessings. Below are twelve celebration tips to make your year a phenomenal one. More below!
“To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.” Confucius

Chinese New Year: Quotes, Blessings And Tips… New Year Market
年廿八,洗邋遢 “Wash away the dirt on ninyabaat”

Chinese New Year: Quotes, Blessings And Tips… New Year Poetry
Twelve Tips to Help You Celebrate Chinese New Year
Do research to learn about the Chinese New Year
Clean your home and prepare it in time for New Year.
Take the time to decorate your home in a festive shade of red
Offer a special sacrifice to the Kitchen God.
Hold an organized traditional dinner on New Year’s Eve
Prepare your own Chinese cuisine.
Make sure to dress up for the occasion
Engage and Interact with others in a positive manner.
Don’t forget to visit your relatives and friends.
Ward off evil by setting off firecrackers.
Attend a parade.
Say your New Year Prayers and wishes and purchase lucky charms/items for the new year. Celebrate via Wikihow.com
There are many important steps to take during the 15 days of celebrations. I listed 12 that are critical to the Chinese New Year. the first step is critical because it varies from country to country and helps families determine what to do. There is a popular Chinese Proverb that sheds much light on how to live a fulfilling and happy life. If you want happiness for an hour; take a nap. If you want happiness for a day; go fishing. If you want happiness for a month; get married. If you want happiness for a year; inherit a fortune.If you want happiness for a lifetime; help someone else.
Positive Motivation Tip: May your 2013 Chinese New Year be abundantly blessed!
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos Year of the Snake via good wall paper.com, Serpent, Nian Cake, Chinese Character, New Year poetry, New Year market, , via Wikipedia, Chinese New Year, via Wikihow, or via Flickr
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
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Happy New Year, Eliz and wishing you 歲歲平安 Suìsuì-píng’ān – “everlasting peace year after year”
萬事如意Wànshìrúyì – “May all your wishes be fulfilled” TY!
SoundEagle arrives here late to read this well presented post, and in appreciation of Ms Elizabeth Obih-Frank’s excellent effort, would like to offer http://soundeagle.wordpress.com/2013/02/10/soundeagle-in-chinese-new-year-celebration-spring-festival-lion-dance-traditional-culture-and-architecture/.
Happy April to you! Indeed, wishing you 萬事如意 Wànshìrúyì throughout 2013 and beyond . . . . .
I’m subscribed to your log, Elizabeth, but your posts are not coming up in my reader for some reason…
Hi Bluebee, Others have said the same and I have no idea what is behind it… WP Staff have said to let them know and perhaps it is time for me to follow up again… just under a lot of other pressures for now. TY for reaching out even with my posts not showing up. TY! 萬事如意Wànshìrúyì – “May all your wishes be fulfilled”
Thanks for the link back, love your site. I shall be visiting again soon
TY too for stopping by… Appreciated. 萬事如意Wànshìrúyì – “May all your wishes be fulfilled”
Happy Year of the Snake! It’s so vibrant and colourful
It is the vibrant an slinky one. 萬事如意Wànshìrúyì – “May all your wishes be fulfilled”
新年快樂 (Kung Hei Fat Choy) Happy Chinese New Year!
TY Willowdot!
萬事如意Wànshìrúyì – “May all your wishes be fulfilled”
thank you I am born under the snake so it could be my year!
What fun! A great post. Have been celebrating in Shanghai this year and looking forward to the year of the snake.
Glad to hear from you!
I can imagine all the wonderful festivities going on around you there.
萬事如意Wànshìrúyì – “May all your wishes be fulfilled”
Gong Xi Fa Cai!
TY!
萬事如意Wànshìrúyì – “May all your wishes be fulfilled”
What a colourful celebration, Elizz. Thanks for all the info regarding the Chinese New Year.
TY Adin and I appreciate the feedback!
萬事如意Wànshìrúyì – “May all your wishes be fulfilled”
I didn’t know any of this, thank you for sharing this part of the culture. Love the Confucious quote ” if you meet someone better than yourself…”. I plan on putting that I to practice starting now. Happy New Year!
Same her with the Confucius quote. It resonated.
萬事如意Wànshìrúyì – “May all your wishes be fulfilled”
Yes the Confucius quote is wonderful as is the entire post! Happy New Year. I am going to link back to your post so people can get this good information.
TY so much and please bear with me as i catch up… TY for linking back.
萬事如意Wànshìrúyì – “May all your wishes be fulfilled”
Pingback: Happy Chinese New Year- Year of the Snake « Ruth E Hendricks Photography
Reblogged this on Mysterious Japan.
TY you so much for the weblog… I had no idea.
萬事如意Wànshìrúyì – “May all your wishes be fulfilled”
You are very welcome!
Pingback: Xin Nian Kuai Le! Happy Chinese New Year! | Deo Volente
Enjoy reading it! Reminded me the good old time I had when I was a kid… I did a post to celebrate Chinese NY, but it’s completely different from yours.
I will definitely read it and TY so much Amy for your support…
萬事如意Wànshìrúyì – “May all your wishes be fulfilled”
so interesting…and the colorful celebrations…how neat!…learning about other’s traditions more and more every day…
TY Marilyn an same here. I love hearing about what others do culturally…
萬事如意Wànshìrúyì – “May all your wishes be fulfilled”
very interesting, It is such a delight that so many cultures and their fascinating stories boil down to just one feeling humanity and compassion for others. I wish you and all a very happy peaceful new year.
TY Meenakshi!
萬事如意Wànshìrúyì – “May all your wishes be fulfilled”
Happy Chinese New Year! Such a cool read.
TY!
萬事如意Wànshìrúyì – “May all your wishes be fulfilled”
Love the Chinese Proverb: want happiness for a life time, help others. Interesting info on the year of the snake custom.
TY. its great advice… 萬事如意Wànshìrúyì – “May all your wishes be fulfilled”
The pic of the market is stunning. It looks like such a dynamic and exciting place to be.
Sure does…
TY. great observation… 萬事如意Wànshìrúyì – “May all your wishes be fulfilled”
Simply wonderful
TY Cee!
TY. 萬事如意Wànshìrúyì – “May all your wishes be fulfilled”
A beautiful post to celebrate the new year! Happy Chinese new year! All the best
TY Daphne & same to you!
萬事如意Wànshìrúyì – “May all your wishes be fulfilled”
Happy New Year!
萬事如意Wànshìrúyì – “May all your wishes be fulfilled” Happy New Year to you too Tillly!
Happy New Year, Elizabeth. May your happiness be without limit!
I had ginormous fun last weekend attending a Chinese New Year in LA Chinatown. Lots of cool performance, lion dances, the whole place looks so festive, and it’s just so much awesome-r than regular New Year. Way better than a bunch of drunken people counting down from 10 to 2, skipping number 4 and shouting out 1. I think Dick Clark feels so small every Chinese New Year. Ahihihihi.
May your happiness be without limit.