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Motivation Mondays: Chinese New Year

08/02/2016
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“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

Motivation Mondays: Chinese New Year - Symbols, Rituals, Year of the Monkey

Motivation Mondays: Chinese New Year – Symbols, Rituals, Year of the Monkey

2016 is the year of the monkey; a Yang Fire year. Fire shapes Metal, but can also be a destructive force. Elements of chaos and creation dance together with wild abandon. Scams, delusions and illusions are plentiful, and psychological factors have strong influence. Often it’s not what you see, but how you see it that matters. People born in the year of the monkey are lively, flexible, witty and versatile with strong practical ability. They are good leaders with an insatiable desire for knowledge and amazing creativity. Highly intelligent, they are self-assured, sociable, innovative, good at saving up money, in good physical shape and make good decisions and they are most in good physical conditions.On the flip side, they can be quick-tempered, jealous, impatient and arrogant. via HanBan.com

Kung Hei Fat Choi! Hóunián jíxiáng! Happy New Year! Good luck for this year of the Monkey! Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái. Gōng hè xīn xǐ! Happy celebrations to everyone! How Motivated are you to make this a transformative and bonanza year?   Today is the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year which will be celebrated for 7-15 days; of the fifteen days of festivities, three are official holidays in China, seven gives people time to perform all the important family related, traditional rituals, and fifteen welcomes the Lantern Festival.   In fact, the celebrations actually begin on the eve of the Chinese New Year with the Reunion Dinner.  People eat special foods that represent good luck; pigs, ducks, chicken, sweets and fish and Niangao, a Chinese New Year cake. The color Red is an important color in Chinese culture, it symbolizes prosperity and celebrants decorate their doors and windows with red paper-cut outs and positive messages on “wealth,” “happiness” and “good fortune.”

As with every New Year, a zodiac animal is chosen and that animal brings special qualities to the celebrations for the year. This is the year of the Monkey, and this charming, witty, playful animal will add spice, pranks and a delightful intelligence to the year. If you cross the Monkey, arrogance and impatience awaits you. If you are into numerology, you’d know that 8 is a dynamic number for business and personal success so, the New Year and the Monkey will bring us all a bountiful year of great achievement and transformation.  This global event and auspicious New Year officially ends on the 27th of January 2017 and on January 28, 2017 another new year will begin with the Rooster as the designated animal.
“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

Motivation Mondays: Chinese New Year - Symbols, Rituals, Year of the Monkey

Motivation Mondays: Chinese New Year – Symbols, Rituals, Year of the Monkey

Motivation Mondays: Chinese New Year - Symbols, Rituals, Year of the Monkey

Motivation Mondays: Chinese New Year – Symbols, Rituals, Year of the Monkey

The Mythology of The Chinese New Year
According to tales and legends, the beginning of Chinese New Year started with the fight against a mythical beast called the Nian (Chinese: 年; pinyin: Nián). Nian would come on the first day of New Year to eat livestock, crops, and even villagers, especially children. To protect themselves, the villagers would put food in front of their doors at the beginning of every year. It was believed that after the Nian ate the food they prepared, it wouldn’t attack any more people. One time, people saw that the Nian was scared away by a little child wearing red. The villagers then understood that the Nian was afraid of the colour red. Hence, every time when the New Year was about to come, the villagers would hang red lanterns and red spring scrolls on windows and doors. People also used firecrackers to frighten away the Nian. From then on, Nian never came to the village again. The Nian was eventually captured by Hongjun Laozu, an ancient Taoist monk. The Nian became Hongjun Laozu’s mount. Chinese New Year Wikipedia

 

At the start of any auspicious season, we have an opportunity to look within and reinvent ourselves with a renewed vigor to make better, wiser choices. The Chinese zodiac shows this as a Yang Fire monkey year. A Monkey year adds wit and intelligence to the mix and if we can stay humble, we will see gains that will help us stay motivated for the rest of the year. For many who celebrate the Chinese New Year around the world, it is the most important celebration to start off a year of great effort, good actions, and wisdom to help us earn great good fortune.

The Monkey brings  positive, negative and health related traits to us during this Lunar Year.  It offers lucky qualities in the form of: Numbers: 1,8,9; Colors: white, gold, blue; Flowers: chrysanthemum, alliums; Directions: north, northwest, west; Days: the 14th and 28th; Months: the 8th and 12th, and unlucky traits too. The following Colors: red, pink; Numbers: 2 and 7; directions: south, southeast; Months: the 7th and 11th Chinese lunar months augur unpleasant interactions for any who fall under the monkey spell. In addition to honoring the lucky qualities of the designated animal for each year, people look for popular and auspicious blessings/sayings to share with friends and family during the festivities of this beloved tradition. Fu Xing, Lu Star, and Shou are key parts of Chinese folklore and represent the God of Happiness and Good Luck, the God of prosperity, and the God of Longevity; they combine their forces to bring great luck: 福禄寿 Happiness, Prosperity, and Longevity.
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“Days are too busy; Hours are too few; Seconds are too fast; But there is always time for me to say; Happy New Year!” Chinese New Year Quote

Motivation Mondays: Chinese New Year - Symbols, Rituals, Year of the Monkey

Motivation Mondays: Chinese New Year – Symbols, Rituals, Year of the Monkey

Chinese New Year’s Day Taboos: To be avoided on the first day of the Chinese New Year:
Medicine: Taking medicine on the first day of the lunar year means one will get ill for a whole year.
Laundry: People do not wash clothes on the first and second day, because these two days are celebrated as the birthday of Shuishen (水神, the Water God).
Washing hair: Hair must not be washed on the first day of the lunar year.
Sharp objects: The use of knives and scissors is to be avoided as any accident is thought to lead to inauspicious things and the depletion of wealth.
Going out: A woman may not leave her house; otherwise she will be plagued with bad luck for the entire coming year.
The broom: If you sweep on this day then your wealth will be swept away too.
Crying children: The cry of a child is believed to bring bad luck to the family, so parents do their best to keep children as happy as possible.
Theft: Having your pocket picked is believed to portend your whole wealth in the coming year being stolen.
Debt: Money should not be lent on New Year’s Day, and all debts have to be paid by New Year’s Eve.
Empty rice jar: A depleted receptacle may cause grave anxiety
Damaged clothes: Wearing threadbare duds can cause more bad luck for the year.
Killing things: Blood is considered an ill omen, which will cause misfortunes such as a knife wound, or a bloody disaster.
Monochrome fashion: White or black clothes are barred as these two colours are traditionally associated with mourning.
Welcoming the New Year: According to tradition, people must stay up late on New Year’s Eve to welcome the New Year, and then to let off firecrackers and fireworks to scare off inauspicious spirits and Nian, the New Year monster.
Giving of certain gifts: Clocks, scissors, and shears all have a bad meaning in Chinese culture. via Telegraph.co.uk

What more can we do to stay motivated in a Lunar New Year? You can follow the dictates of a popular Chinese proverb: 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. You can avoid the taboo things listed above and share the following Twelve Blessings listed below 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”. Kung Hei Fat Choi! Hóunián jíxiáng! Happy New Year! Good luck for this year of the Monkey! Have a prosperous and productive Chinese New Year!

Source: Zen Antics All stories via Goodweb.cn

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Positive Motivation Tip: Use this opportunity to revisit the promises you made at the beginning of 2016 and transform yourself.

Motivation Mondays is open to anyone who wishes to share a motivational quote, photo, personal challenge or a post that encourages others to start the week on an upbeat note.
Basic Instructions: Each week, I will have a motivation word to help us create a response. (See listed words for the months above/below)
Email address: You may email or share your post as a comment and I will add it to the round-up of related posts. email it to: contact(@)mirthandmotivation(.)com
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Related Posts

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: Stories via Zen Stories on Goodweb.cn   Quotes via  All Photos: From my Personal Collection and/or  Monkey,  New Year market, Chinese New Year, Chinese New Year Dragon, Decorations, Lanterns, Gaya Street, Candy, Food Offerings, via Wikipedia

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet

 

from → Global Events, Motivation Mondays, Positive Advice, Posts & Photos 2016
219 Comments leave one →
  1. jen permalink
    09/02/2016 12:15 pm

    What a great roundup! I love that you included the translations, too. thanks!

    Reply
  2. Melissa Bernardo permalink
    09/02/2016 12:32 pm

    Beautiful photos to celebrate the Chinese New Year! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  3. Nova permalink
    09/02/2016 1:17 pm

    I witnessed the awesome Chinese New Year celebration they have. Something extraordinary and indifferent yearly too.

    Reply
  4. livingoffloveandcoffee permalink
    09/02/2016 2:21 pm

    I loved celebrating Chinese New Year with my friends when I was younger. Their parents ran a Chinese restaurant so it was great to learn.

    Reply
  5. Social Media Expert (@CoachDonnaWard) permalink
    09/02/2016 3:34 pm

    This was such a smart post – I so enjoyed reading about the Year of the Monkey and hope that it adds wit and intelligence and that I can stay humble – I found that I am the Year of the Rabbit! What fun 🙂

    Reply
  6. Healthier Steps permalink
    09/02/2016 3:43 pm

    My motivation is to keep doing better!

    Reply
  7. Lexie Lane permalink
    09/02/2016 4:26 pm

    I think some of us still doing the same tradition in chinese every chinese new year, and I’m one of that. Were my family had together dinner last night. Kung Hei Fat Choi.

    Reply
  8. Cathi (@simplycathi) permalink
    09/02/2016 4:30 pm

    Wow! I had no idea there was so much to learn about Chinese New Year. Thanks so much!!

    Reply
  9. Angela Milnes permalink
    09/02/2016 6:45 pm

    How interesting. I’ve not known about the Chinese dates before so I found this interesting!

    Reply
  10. Serendipity DP permalink
    09/02/2016 4:47 pm

    The Mythology of the Chinese New Year, enlighten me. Now, i know why red is the color of the Chinese New Year! We also have our Kung Heit Fat Choi Celebration and incidentally I wore red that day. 😀

    Reply
  11. parentingpatch permalink
    09/02/2016 5:14 pm

    I have never celebrated Chinese New Year. My kids and I learned about the holiday from an exhibit at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum a few weeks ago.

    Reply
  12. April Mims permalink
    09/02/2016 6:08 pm

    I’ve never heard all of those taboos but they are so interesting! I love all the festivities of the Chinese new year.

    Reply
  13. jenjen (@existingJEN) permalink
    09/02/2016 6:35 pm

    When I read this “Sharp objects: The use of knives and scissors is to be avoided as any accident is thought to lead to inauspicious things and the depletion of wealth.” I was like “oh my gosh!”

    Reply
  14. Ann Bacciaglia permalink
    09/02/2016 6:46 pm

    This is great information about the Chinese New Year. I wil have to make a nice dinner to celebrate the year of the Monkey.

    Reply
  15. CYNTHIA NICOLETTI permalink
    09/02/2016 7:06 pm

    I learned so much about Chinese New Year Reading you article

    Reply
  16. Debbie Denny permalink
    09/02/2016 7:39 pm

    I do love the pictures. The story is really great also.

    Reply
  17. PJ Zafra permalink
    09/02/2016 8:14 pm

    I love this quote “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…

    …I truly believe in modeling after successful people. I believe that success leaves clue and if we’re humble enough to accept that we don’t know it all and that we should learn instead of fake it, that’s the moment when we can experience our true breakthrough.

    Great post. Happy Chinese New Year. Keep it up!

    Reply
  18. Traveling Blogger permalink
    09/02/2016 8:48 pm

    Very interesting. I honestly don’t know much about Chinese New Year, but I love to learn about other cultures and traditions.

    Reply
  19. Healing Tomato (@healingtomato) permalink
    09/02/2016 8:55 pm

    I like your post very much. The year of the Monkey is always seen with awe and incredulity. This is going to be a great year.

    Reply
  20. Anamika Ojha permalink
    09/02/2016 8:58 pm

    Happy Chinese New year to you too and this post makes a nice read. Thanks for sharing it with us.

    Reply
  21. tara pittman permalink
    09/02/2016 9:00 pm

    The list of taboos is interesting. I bet they worry a lot during this time.

    Reply
  22. Carmela Mempin permalink
    09/02/2016 10:15 pm

    I really love the quote 🙂 It gives inspiration not only to me but to many 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  23. Aziel Morte permalink
    09/02/2016 11:10 pm

    I need more sleep to make me happy lol. I always slept for only 2 hours

    Reply
  24. Lexie Lane permalink
    09/02/2016 11:40 pm

    I really love this quotes. i wish chinese had a great new year

    Reply
  25. MommyPehpot permalink
    10/02/2016 12:14 am

    Happy Chinese New Year to you too!

    Reply
  26. franckxethee permalink
    10/02/2016 1:47 am

    Happy Chinese New Year. There are really many beliefs and custom for the Chinese New Year celebration, I guess no harm in following them.

    Reply
  27. Girl, Unspotted permalink
    10/02/2016 1:49 am

    You know, my grandma is Chinese but somehow we were never really big on celebrating Chinese New Year. I would have loved to though. I attended the Lunar New Year in other countries such as Vietnam last year, and it’s nice to see the different traditions every families do.

    Reply
  28. Julie Syl Kalungi (@Syl_julekalungi) permalink
    10/02/2016 2:48 am

    Its so exciting as 8 is my birth date and its my year. I love the Chinese take on thinks not just celebrate one day but days of celebration, thanksgiving, sharing, fun and red is also my colour.

    I have learnt a ton of information on the Chinese New year and all kinds of things i didnt even know. Thanks for sharing Eliza. If you want happiness for a lifetime; help someone else…May your Wealth be infinite 🙂

    Reply
  29. Eileen Mendoza Loya permalink
    10/02/2016 2:49 am

    I was born in the year of the Wood Dragon. I love the Lunar New Year celebrations because it is so festive! I am not really into zodiac or chinese astrology forecasts, but I am amused at how closely accurate they describe personalities of the different signs. Xin Nian Kuai Leh, Elizabeth peng you. Gong xi fa tsai!

    Reply
  30. Euge Nia permalink
    10/02/2016 3:09 am

    My granny born in the year of the monkey and she is a very intelligent and active person! She never gives up and keeps moving forward! Thanks for the motivation quotes and such an interesting post!

    Reply
  31. Jason Panuelos permalink
    10/02/2016 3:24 am

    Even though I’m Chinese, I learned quite a lot from this! It truly is such an awesome holiday! 😀

    Reply
  32. Rochkirstin Santos (@rochkirstin) permalink
    10/02/2016 3:54 am

    OMG I am Chinese but I didn’t know there’s such a belief that taking medicine at the first day of the year will mean I will be sick for the rest of the year. I had been coughing since last week so I had no choice but to take my meds on CNY. 🙁

    Reply
  33. JamericanSpice (@Jamericanspice) permalink
    10/02/2016 4:44 am

    You always have such good information! Thank you for sharing about this new year celebration!

    Reply
  34. 조이 Czjai (@RebelSweetHrt) permalink
    10/02/2016 5:14 am

    Gong xi fa cai! Hope you have a happy and prosperous year ahead! 🙂

    Reply
  35. Fred Hawson (@3xhcch) permalink
    10/02/2016 6:22 am

    This holiday is now celebrated in our country as a national holiday even for those who are not Chinese. This gave us a long weekend last weekend. We had a family reunion and ate a sumptuous lunch together.

    Reply
  36. Claudette Esterine permalink
    10/02/2016 7:03 am

    Your posts are highly educational and this one is no less so. 🙂

    Reply
  37. thoughtfeeder permalink
    10/02/2016 7:12 am

    I hope i can witness all of it on my upcoming trip to china!

    Reply
  38. George Felix permalink
    10/02/2016 7:33 am

    Happy Chinese New Year!
    I had heard before that the Chinese New year had a symbolic animal. But never had I read about one in such detail. Year of the Monkey. Full of pragmatism!

    Reply
  39. Nitin Kaushik permalink
    10/02/2016 7:36 am

    Hey nice to see the color of the new year, however i don’t understand “2016 is the year of the monkey”… is there any prediction for all of us?

    Reply
  40. patricemfoster permalink
    10/02/2016 7:52 am

    Happy Chinese year of the Monkey. Chinese has a way with words…love if you want happiness take a nap oh so true.

    Reply
  41. thebinderladies permalink
    10/02/2016 8:07 am

    Thank you for the wonderful and motivational post! It was a great read!

    Reply
  42. Fashionable Librarian permalink
    10/02/2016 10:42 am

    I reblogged this post

    Reply
  43. Amanda Love permalink
    10/02/2016 9:01 am

    We just went to our Chinese New Year celebration and had a lot of fun. Although we knew it was the year of the monkey we never thought about what it all symbolizes.

    Reply
  44. TT permalink
    10/02/2016 11:22 am

    Reblogged this on 40+/Single/Clueless and commented:
    Isn’t it exciting to learn new things while experiencing the freedom that is found in the truth?

    Reply
  45. Fashionable Librarian permalink
    10/02/2016 10:42 am

    Reblogged this on Concierge Librarian.

    Reply
  46. TravellingBookJunkie (@t_bookjunkie) permalink
    10/02/2016 10:57 am

    I always love reading about where traditions originate from so it is interesting to read more about this.

    Reply
  47. Amy Jones permalink
    10/02/2016 12:48 pm

    Seems to me its going to be an interesting year! Let’s embrace it with a possitive atitude

    Reply
  48. Bhushavali permalink
    10/02/2016 1:40 pm

    Though I’m not a monkey, I’m really a fire person. Actually my sun sign element is fire…

    Reply
  49. Rosey permalink
    10/02/2016 5:07 pm

    An excuse to reassess and improve is always welcome in my book. We use New Year’s here the same way. 🙂

    Reply
  50. Sunshine Kelly permalink
    10/02/2016 7:28 pm

    Yes, my family and I celebrate Chinese New Year (CNY). As you can see during CNY most if the things are in red because we believe that red is auspicious and bring luck.

    Reply
  51. lacicarlson permalink
    10/02/2016 7:47 pm

    love this I have always liked the Chinese new year

    Reply
  52. Marielle Altenor permalink
    10/02/2016 8:45 pm

    It’s interesting to learn about the Chinese New Year. We don’t really do any kind of celebrations here. I’m born in the year of the Rat.

    Reply
  53. Stephanie Pass permalink
    10/02/2016 11:55 pm

    It’s always interesting to learn about different cultural ideas like the Chinese New Year. I had no idea it was the year of the monkey. I know I was born in a dragon year.

    Reply
  54. Eileen Mendoza Loya permalink
    11/02/2016 2:05 am

    Interesting to read these beliefs for the Lunar New Year. I know cleaning the house and getting rid of old, damaged furniture is one of the things done before the Lunar/Chinese New Year. It is also good luck to have a hair cut the day before which symbolizes getting rid of the past year’s misfortunes.

    Reply
  55. Chubskulit Rose permalink
    11/02/2016 2:43 am

    According to the Chinese horroscope, I will have a hard time financially this year.

    Reply
  56. Mommy Roxi (@MommyRoxi) permalink
    11/02/2016 3:38 am

    I didn’t know there were things to avoid at the first day of Chinese New Year! I only know of the old wives tales we have in our country like to not serve any chicken dish or put money/coins in your pocket.

    Reply
  57. Tiffany Yong permalink
    11/02/2016 10:12 am

    Haha… Funny thing is, my whole family was down with cold , flu and sore throat for the Lunar New Year… I caught it on the first day too and I’m the only one who avoided taking medication!

    Reply
  58. Melissa Bernardo permalink
    11/02/2016 1:05 pm

    Beautiful post!

    Reply
  59. Lisa Rios permalink
    11/02/2016 11:35 am

    Such a beautiful quote from Confucius to start with. I agree we must look in to ourself & examine, when we see someone who is not good as we are. It is good to know about the traditions all around the Chinese New year as well.

    Reply
  60. Coralie permalink
    11/02/2016 11:51 am

    I didn’t realize there were so many superstitions that go along with this. Very interesting the differences in culture but fascinating to learn about.

    Reply
  61. Jeypi Kyu permalink
    11/02/2016 2:50 pm

    WOW! these are such good read.. We just celebrated chinese new year recenly and ai never thought about these things

    Reply
  62. maria permalink
    11/02/2016 4:09 pm

    Happy Lunar New Year! It is nice to know what to look out for this Year of the Monkey.

    Reply
  63. Sarah permalink
    11/02/2016 7:13 pm

    Interesting. I don’t know much about the Chinese New Year. Really enjoyed learning more about it.

    Reply
  64. yvonnembertoldo permalink
    11/02/2016 8:44 pm

    I wasn’t able to go to China Town in our country to celebrate Chinese New Year because it was my dad’s birthday! Seeing posts like this is enough to satisfy myself wanting to experience it in China Town. :p

    Reply
  65. Michelle Solee (@michisolee) permalink
    11/02/2016 9:19 pm

    We don’t celebrate CNY but Happy Chinese New Year!

    Reply
  66. Esme Sy permalink
    12/02/2016 5:12 am

    This is great information. I love the list of twelve blessings.

    Reply
  67. Ben Butler permalink
    12/02/2016 11:27 am

    I love Chinese culture. It’s all so steeped in mysticism and just the coolest lore. Chinese New Year is one of my favorite times of the year.

    Reply
  68. Karen permalink
    12/02/2016 1:57 pm

    Confucius quotes are really driving me towards a positive outlook in life. Happy Chinese New Year.

    Reply
  69. Kathy Kenny Ngo permalink
    13/02/2016 1:30 am

    There are many traditions and beliefs to be followed but the one we really need to believe in is that we make our own luck.

    Reply
  70. Travelingmorion permalink
    13/02/2016 5:48 pm

    Great guide in this year of the monkey! I’ll bookmark this. Thanks!

    Reply
  71. Maria Teresa Figuerres permalink
    14/02/2016 3:11 pm

    I’d love to have happiness for a lifetime, so starting today, I’ll make a deliberate attempt to help someone, anyone for that matter, who needs an extra hand. Happy Chinese New Year!

    Reply
  72. Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen permalink
    15/02/2016 1:52 pm

    Happy Chinese New Year!

    Reply
  73. Mommy Anna permalink
    15/02/2016 4:44 pm

    Now a day, people believe in luck and follow all feng shui, but we must alwats remember that this is just a guide we are still the one who is doing our luck. We must always positive

    Reply
  74. Cai Dominguez permalink
    15/02/2016 6:54 pm

    Happy new year! I learned a lot from this post. I’m so amazed how Chinese culture influence the world. Good luck to everyone.

    Reply
  75. Melgie permalink
    16/02/2016 9:22 am

    Chinese New Year celebrations are very festive! looking for another great year with my family. Thank you for guide tips and guide to make this year of the monkey fantastic one.

    Reply
  76. Karen permalink
    16/02/2016 2:14 pm

    Never knew much about Chinese New Year! This was a great read. Very informal and inspirational. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  77. Karen and Alex permalink
    16/02/2016 2:17 pm

    Thank you for sharing! This was a great read- didn’t know a lot about Chinese New Year. Very rich culture! -Karen. eastcoastcontessas.com.

    Reply
  78. Melisa Sanchez permalink
    16/02/2016 8:54 pm

    This is great Idea for this year, I’m not expose in Chinese culture but they bring and influences Filipino of their some or most culture.

    Reply
  79. top5life permalink
    16/02/2016 11:49 pm

    The concept that we must always transform ourselves to be a better human being is great. Wonderful guide in this year.

    Reply
  80. Idaintyit permalink
    17/02/2016 10:34 am

    I love chinese new year, we always have a chinese and make it a bit of a family thing. Great post

    Reply
  81. pickettfamily permalink
    17/02/2016 3:38 pm

    Thanks for the information! I always kept up with this when I was younger, and I find it so fascinating!

    Reply
  82. JanzCrystalz/January permalink
    21/02/2016 4:56 am

    Because our country also have a big Chinese community, it was declared a special non-working holiday. Thanks for you post I now know the mythology of Chinese New Year

    Reply
  83. Peachy A. permalink
    24/02/2016 1:22 am

    Thanks you for this very informative and positive post. I believe that traditions and beliefs are there to guide us.

    Reply
  84. Barbara permalink
    25/02/2016 4:38 pm

    I love Chinese new years and those treats are so yummy.

    Reply
  85. Marissa Bulatao (@MommyUnwired) permalink
    26/02/2016 7:58 pm

    I am born in the Year of the Monkey and I claim this year!

    Reply
  86. Allan permalink
    06/03/2016 9:56 pm

    Celebrating Chinese New year is having a big influence in every country. Just like here, before Chinese New Year is not declared as regular holiday but now it is.
    Also in our home, we follow some traditions like having sweets on the table and others. We are not Chinese by the way.

    Reply
  87. den permalink
    07/03/2016 1:04 am

    Bookmarking this! Very very informative

    Reply
  88. Amber Myers permalink
    01/02/2022 9:42 am

    This was a cool read. I admit, I don’t know much about Chinese New Year!

    Reply
  89. Tara Pittman permalink
    01/02/2022 10:01 am

    Now I need to head to get some takeout. This is a great celebration.

    Reply
  90. KristinByTheOcean permalink
    01/02/2022 11:26 am

    I love the mythology behind Chinese New Year. I love learning about holidays all over the world!

    Reply
  91. WanderlustBeautyDreams permalink
    01/02/2022 11:54 am

    Happy Chinese New Year! I love learning about different traditions and customs when it comes to celebrating a new year.

    Reply
  92. marjiemare permalink
    01/02/2022 5:27 pm

    I am always in awe to learn about traditions and beliefs. Thanks for sharing this post to me.

    Reply
  93. Tami Creates permalink
    01/02/2022 6:35 pm

    This was such an interesting post to read. I love learning about different cultures. Happy Chinese New Year! 🙂

    Reply
  94. Fransic verso permalink
    01/02/2022 7:54 pm

    Interesting ot know more about this, I celebrated with my girlfriend for the first time haha.

    Reply
  95. pacioalita9 permalink
    01/02/2022 11:50 pm

    I love the way you end your articles. Ask. Believe and Receive! a very short statement but very powerful

    Reply
  96. Beth Pierce permalink
    01/02/2022 11:51 pm

    I love Chinese New Year! Its all about gathering and spending time with family. I ave so many great memories with family and relatives!

    Reply
  97. Kathy Myers permalink
    02/02/2022 2:49 am

    Great information, I learned so much reading this and had to see what my birth year was.

    Reply
  98. terristeffes permalink
    02/02/2022 5:33 am

    I love seeing and hearing about the different traditions of another culture. Thank you, your topic was in depth and gave me a lot to consider.

    Reply
  99. Abida permalink
    02/02/2022 5:44 am

    Interesting! Every nation is having their own new year. In Bengali this comes on 14th April

    Reply
  100. Richelle Milar permalink
    02/02/2022 6:07 am

    This is such a really great guide, Thank you so much for sharing this with us! Happy Chinese New Year

    Reply
  101. aisasami permalink
    02/02/2022 6:11 am

    My students every year learn about the Chinese New Year and does a craft. We made a lion (lion dance, or shishimai) out of milk cartons. The zodiac animals are used every year here in Japan but they celebrate more Western traditions as well as Japanese ones.

    Reply
  102. MELANIE EDJOURIAN permalink
    02/02/2022 9:48 am

    The Chinese new year taboos was to read interesting. Keeping a young child happy isn’t always an easy thing to do!!

    Reply
  103. Harassedmom (@laurakim123) permalink
    02/02/2022 6:46 pm

    We have been to a few Chinese New Year celebrations and they are so awesome. So much culture and beauty.

    Reply
  104. Lynndee permalink
    03/02/2022 4:43 am

    Happy Chinese New Year! Hope you had fun celebrating.

    Reply
  105. Tasheena permalink
    04/02/2022 8:18 am

    This post is really informative, so many great points. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  106. Christine H permalink
    04/02/2022 8:45 am

    This is fascinating. I don’t know anything about the Chinese New Year. But, it has always been interesting to me to read the different animal meanings. That’s as far a my knowledge goes.

    Reply
  107. Fransic verso permalink
    04/02/2022 5:10 pm

    It’s interesting to know about the lunar, I’ve had some questions and this post helped me to get the answers.

    Reply
  108. Marjie Mare permalink
    05/02/2022 9:34 am

    I did not know about the Chinese Zodiac, and it fascinates me. Thanks for sharing this informative post.

    Reply
  109. Prajakta permalink
    07/02/2022 1:45 pm

    that is one lovely post, loved reading it.

    Reply

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