Prep for Chinese New Year!

I wonder how many of you actually think about Chinese New Year?

When is it?
Why do they celebrate it?
Why is it not on the same day every year?
Why is the dragon and the colour red so important?
Well these are all valuable questions...

Like with many different cultures and religions, there are many different beliefs and ancestral stories/ myths that have been passed down through the generations.

But today we are talking about the Chinese New Year and getting prepared for it.

We all know that the Chinese culture has different animals for each different year, well this year is the Rooster!

I definately think at some point you need to dig up the story of the animals representing each year and how they came to be so representational in the first place.
Check this link out for the full story:
https://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/social_customs/zodiac/story.htm

Chinese New Year is celebrated all around the world but predominantly in china, where thousands upon thousands of people journey to, in order to celebrate there. Whether that be to travel home for family reunions and celebrations or backpacking for an adventure.
I know that Liverpool,for example, is hosting a 3 day celebration for the occasion, so get down there and enjoy what is on offer, it sounds like an amazing time is to be had!

For further information check this website out:
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/liverpool-host-three-day-chinese-12417860

Birmingham is also in for a treat, even to the extent of road closures!
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/road-closures-chinese-new-year--8618714

So why is Chinese New Year celebrated and why is it not on the same day each year?

Unlike the Christian New Year, which is based on the solar calendar, the Chinese New Year is based on the lunisolar calendar where the dates indicate both the moon phase and the timely the solar Year.
The lunar month is around 2 days shorter than a solar month. Due to this and in order to catch up with solar calendar, an extra month is added every few years.
This is why, according to the solar calendar, the Chinese New Year falls on a different day each year.

The celebration usually goes on for about 15 days, starting on New Year's Eve and continuing on into the next month. During this time people will visit home for faily reunions, watch firecracker shows, do shopping, watch traditional Chinese dances and shows through the streets and prepare for the new year.
In China, working people will tend to have up to 7 days holiday to celebrate these festivities.

So why are the dragon and the colour red so important?

The dragon is a mythological beast who has been told to new generations throughout time in China. There is a whole story on how the dragon used to torment villages by eating crops and much more. However one day, the villagers found out that the dragon was afraid of the colour red. The villagers were able to then ward the dragon off by using red within their villages. The dragon in these festivities reminds the Chinese culture of these tales and since this, red has been used throughout China as the colour of luck, to bring luck and fortune into the new year.

To read more about the story, look here:
http://www.chinesenewyearfestival.org/culture/19-the-story-of-chinese-new-year-

Or watch the story here:

Why don't you find out your own reasons to celebrate Chinese New Year this year and get involved!

This year it will be 28th January 2017, so make sure not to miss it! Go out and celebrate, or stay in with a feast!