Customs and Traditions of Chinese New Year

Many interesting and peculiar customs and traditions are an intrinsic part of celebration of the most important festival of the Chinese namely, the Chinese New Year. It is by far an occasion to unite with one's family and dear ones and jubilate in the spirit of togetherness reminiscing and sharing the good old memories of the past year. As the atmosphere is dyed in the festive hue of the season, the color red rules supreme.

People are garbed in red clothes, children carry money in red envelopes, even lanterns hung for the purpose of decoration are red in color. It is so because it is commonly believed that red symbolizes fire which according to legend can fend off bad luck. Bright red is considered to be an auspicious color and stands for happiness while gold stands for wealth. The colors black and white are avoided during this time as they represent mourning.

There are particular flowers and fruits which are also strongly associated with the celebration of Chinese New Year as each of them radiate their good influence in the life of the people. The Spring Festival that begins one week before the arrival of Chinese New Year will start on 11th of February, 2007. On the occasion of this festival, there is the practice of offering sacrifice to the Kitchen God (Zaowang) who is considered to be the guardian of the family hearth. He is the God sent from heaven to take charge of family affairs and who prepares a report on the past deeds of the family to report the same to Heaven and thus needs to be kept in good humor. The sacrifice to this Kitchen God consists of a lotus root-like sticky cake made of a kind of confection, a typical Chinese traditional candy.

The practice of using this sticky cake called Nian Gao is to make sure that it serves the dual purpose of appeasing the appetite of the Kitchen God as well as sticking his mouth so as to prevent him from speaking ill about the family. This tradition is not so much in vogue in the cities, though it is still in rage in some areas of the countryside. Every traditional Chinese home also has the custom of keeping live blooming plants to symbolize rebirth and new growth. There is also the tradition of welcoming guests with sweet treats and that has led to the evolution of serving a circular tray of colorful candies which is compartmentalized into eight slots to display the same. This "Tray of Togetherness" (Cheun Hup) ensures that all witness a sweet beginning. Another significant custom associated with New Year celebration is to spend the New Year's Eve preparing Chinese dumplings (Jiaozi).

Sometimes even a coin is hid inside the dumpling and whoever gets it is supposedly presumed to enjoy the grace of luck in the coming years. Even a traditional Buddhist vegetarian delight called "Jai" is prepared on the first day of Chinese New Year using eighteen different ingredients as the Chinese believe eighteen to be a lucky number signifying wealth and prosperity. Many interesting and peculiar customs and traditions are an intrinsic part of celebration of the most important festival of the Chinese namely, the Chinese New Year.

In the new year there is now a regular on the popular modern society do traditionally red packets are also handed out to younger generation by their parents, grand parents, relatives, and even close neighbors and friends during Imlek. Nowadays giving red packets as a bonus at the year-end by employers becomes popular and Imlek parcel is also a tradition of giving to business associates or relatives.

Giving Imlek parcel to employees prior to the New Year is also a good idea. This can be either a gift or a bonus. If it is as a gift, the money should be just right for a gift. If as a bonus, you may enclose a check in the parcel gift and hand it out in an office.

Chinese New Year Celebration With Yee Sang - Another Chinese New Year Famous Food

In Yee Sang (or Yu Sheng) is a raw fish salad that is usually eaten throughout the entire Chinese New Year.

Yee Sang can also be prepared as a vegetarian dish as well by omitting the fish and replace them with more vegetables. Typically, the vegetables included are shredded radish, carrot, yam and sweet potato with added coloring, pickled ginger and green papaya.

The most common raw fish used in the set of dishes is salmon while some might like this dishes with jelly fish for an extra chewy texture. Other condiments that usually go with Yee Sang are crackers, crispy wanton skin, roasted peanuts, roasted sesame seeds as well as pickled fruits and vegetables. Lastly, the sauce is important as well. Plum is the usual choice together with rice vinegar and sesame oil.

By tradition, it was originated from Chaozhau, China where simple ingredients and sauce were used like fresh raw fish, strips of turnips and carrot together with the combination of oil, vinegar and sugar as the sauce. The modern Yee Sang is reinvented by a master chef from Singapore. Now, we can easily prepare and buy the set of dishes from restaurants or local retailers.

Since the enhancement of the modern Yee Sang, Malaysia follows suit, making it a tradition that every family loves. Besides that, it also bring in the meaning of harmony where whole families having the dinners and Yee Sang together.

Having this dishes during Chinese New Year is mandatory and meaningful because it is a symbol of prosperity and abundance. It is essential to usher in a brand new year with auspicious food to ensure a better life ahead.

In the new year there is now a regular on the popular modern society do traditionally red packets are also handed out to younger generation by their parents, grand parents, relatives, and even close neighbors and friends during Imlek. Nowadays giving red packets as a bonus at the year-end by employers becomes popular and Imlek parcel is also a tradition of giving to business associates or relatives.

Giving Imlek parcel to employees prior to the New Year is also a good idea. This can be either a gift or a bonus. If it is as a gift, the money should be just right for a gift. If as a bonus, you may enclose a check in the parcel gift and hand it out in an office.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=CN_Pong

Chinese New Year Day

The most famous celebrated holiday for Chinese people is the Chinese New Year. This holiday is of great significance and is celebrated by people of Chinese descent throughout the world. Like most other Chinese holidays, the date for celebration is determined according to the lunar calendar. It begins on the day of the new moon of the New Year and ends on the full moon, which is fifteen days after. Thus, this holiday is now also known as the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival.
Preparations for the Spring Festival include thorough cleaning of the house, writing Spring Festival couplets, creating paper-cuts as window decorations, and, of course, making New Year cakes. Family members gather together for this celebration. This is highlighted with a ceremony to give honor and thanks to Heaven and Earth, the gods of the household and family ancestors. Sacrifices are also made to the ancestors to pay respect. Family members and friends visit each other; this is a practice known as “bainian.” This custom of paying visits to kinsmen helps people reconnect with one and other, especially if they had been too busy during the year for social gatherings. Married couples and elders will also give children money in the form of “red envelopes” as blessings.
The night prior to the first day of the New Year is spent as a reunion dinner, which family members, whether they are far or near, unite. Plenty dishes will be served and can vary, but cannot be complete without serving fish. There’s a saying in Chinese that goes “may there be surpluses every year”, which sounds similar to “may there be fishes every year.” Every aspect of the Spring Festival is created with a theme wishing for luck, prosperity, and happiness.
No matter how far away a person of Chinese descent is from home, the Spring Festival always invites a warm feeling to one’s heart. The recurring theme of the customs and traditions for this festival is concentrated on the togetherness of a family and the promising happy future of a new beginning in the upcoming year. For this reason, this is the most popular holiday for all Chinese.

In the new year there is now a regular on the popular modern society do traditionally red packets are also handed out to younger generation by their parents, grand parents, relatives, and even close neighbors and friends during Imlek. Nowadays giving red packets as a bonus at the year-end by employers becomes popular and Imlek parcel is also a tradition of giving to business associates or relatives.

Giving Imlek parcel to employees prior to the New Year is also a good idea. This can be either a gift or a bonus. If it is as a gift, the money should be just right for a gift. If as a bonus, you may enclose a check in the parcel gift and hand it out in an office.

Article Source : http://www.articlesbase.com/astrology-articles/the-chinese-new-year-160455.html

Games With a Twist when Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is a fifteen day celebration in January or February. This celebration is observed by roughly a quarter of the world's population.

Chinese Lion Mask Craft and Games:

Lions are considered good luck and thought to ward off evil spirits. Performers of the traditional Lion Dance make and wear lion masks during the Lantern Festival each year. If you are having a Chinese New Year Party involving young children, a wonderful craft which easily evolves further into practicing or having their own Lion Dance, is creating a Chinese Lion Mask.

You will need:

• Paper plates

• Yellow (1), Red (2), and Green (2, two inch diameter circles for lion eyes)

• Red Ribbon (12 inch long strips of ½ inch wide)

• 18"" of elastic ribbon

Cut yellow and red construction paper into strips, and alternate colors. Glue onto paper plate edges.

Cut yellow paper into eyes, and glue onto the plate.

Mark holes for the centers of the eyes, so the child will be able to see through. (Depending on ages, adults may do this.)

Use red construction paper to create noses, mouths, etc.

Attach elastic ribbon to hold the masks on, by making a hole, inserting ends, and knotting.

Participants can wear lion masks and enact their own, or participate in a Lion Mask Parade. Allow each child to vote for categories such as 'best mask', 'scariest mask', 'funniest mask', etc.

Chinese New Year Banners: Fun Craft Game To Display

A good activity at Children's Chinese New Year Parties is creating traditional Chinese New Year Banners. You will first need to find and print out the symbols for the words, 'Happy', 'New', and 'Year' for guests to use as a guide.

Provide long sheets of orange and red construction paper, into which you have used a hole punch to make small holes into which red or orange yarn can be inserted and tied to form a hanger.
Use black finger paint, and allow guests to create their own ""Happy New Year"" banner which may be taken home as a party favor!

Party games which incorporate a craft, and party favor into one activity are often the favorites for everyone, especially the hosts and hostesses, since it often saves time and money, two very precious commodities!

In the new year there is now a regular on the popular modern society do traditionally red packets are also handed out to younger generation by their parents, grand parents, relatives, and even close neighbors and friends during Imlek. Nowadays giving red packets as a bonus at the year-end by employers becomes popular and Imlek parcel is also a tradition of giving to business associates or relatives.

Giving Imlek parcel to employees prior to the New Year is also a good idea. This can be either a gift or a bonus. If it is as a gift, the money should be just right for a gift. If as a bonus, you may enclose a check in the parcel gift and hand it out in an office.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gail_Leino

Traditional Chinese New Year Meal Holds Special Meaning in Each Morsel

The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival is celebrated every January, usually towards the end of the month or sometimes in the middle of the western world's calendar.

As with all Chinese celebrations, the Chinese New Year revolves around food - the preparation and eating of food. It is customary as soon as a guest enters a Chinese person's home, to ask them if they are hungry or if they have eaten. The Chinese New Year meal is extremely elaborate.

Beginning on New Year's Eve, families gather for a reunion feast that generally includes nian gao a rice pudding cake-like creation that is somewhat sticky and is said to help people move ahead to a higher arrangement and wealth, step by step.

Northern China gave the New Year's Eve celebration the dumplings or Jiao Zi which look like the golden coins yuan bao for money during the Ming Dynasty and to pronounce the word correctly, it sounds like the name for the earliest paper money used. So people believe serving them at New Year's Eve will bring everyone prosperity and wealth.

In order to claim they have money at the changing of the New Year, people will eat their 'money food' at midnight. In addition, several cooks will hide a clean coin in one of the dumplings for a lucky person to find. In addition, to insure they will have good fortune in the upcoming New Year and to avoid misfortunes, most of the dishes are prepared with whole foods; nothing is cut upon with a knife, using anything like a knife or cleaver during the holiday is considered unlucky.

Long noodles are used at the table in order to guarantee each person at the New Year's table will have a long, healthy life. Happiness, longevity and prosperity all seem to show up in the names of the dishes served at the Chinese New Year meal. Hoe see fat choy is hair seaweed with dried oysters and sounds like good business and wealth. When visiting a family, couple or individual on the Chinese New Year, it is customary to bring a gift such as oranges or tangerines because their Chinese names sound like wealth or gold.

Fish is another staple of the Chinese New Year's meal, although it is never fully eaten to insure that the family has a year of good fortune and the fish is always carp because it symbolizes a profitable year ahead.
There is always a platter of either five meats or five vegetables which is symbolic of the five blessings of the New Year - riches, longevity, virtue, wisdom and peace.

During the week long celebration, each family keeps their dinning table filled with sweets and savory specialties to offer quests as they stop by. Another tray is filled with delicious treats such as sweetened lotus roots which symbolize abundance, sweetened lotus seeds which symbolize fertility and dried melon fruit which is a symbol for profuse earnings in addition to various sweet treats, candies which are a sign of long-term sweetness.

In the new year there is now a regular on the popular modern society do traditionally red packets are also handed out to younger generation by their parents, grand parents, relatives, and even close neighbors and friends during Imlek. Nowadays giving red packets as a bonus at the year-end by employers becomes popular and Imlek parcel is also a tradition of giving to business associates or relatives.

Giving Imlek parcel to employees prior to the New Year is also a good idea. This can be either a gift or a bonus. If it is as a gift, the money should be just right for a gift. If as a bonus, you may enclose a check in the parcel gift and hand it out in an office.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jayme_Squier

Celebrate the Chinese New Year in Hong Kong

With the onset of the Chinese New Year, Hong Kong readies itself to make it better than the last. Street adorned with red lanterns and merriment all around, the New Year dawns on people as they wait with smiles on their faces.

As the New Year arrives, flock to the street of Hong Kong to view the procession of colourful street performers as they dance in vibrant costumes. Watch the Lion Dances and Dragon Dance creeping through the streets, and even indulge in delicious delights at the hoards of street food vendors waiting to serve visitors dumplings, sticky rice cake, spring rolls and more.

The Chinese New Year is said to have been originated in conjunction with the end-of-harvest celebrations. This practice was only formalised during the Han Dynasty. However, Hong Kong has come a long way since the rule of the Han Dynasty, and thereby the traditions have respectively evolved. New traditions that surround the Chinese New Year in Hong Kong include the city shops shutting down for two days prior to the New Year; adorning the city in bright colours in the form of red ribbons and vibrant flowers; visiting the temple at the onset of the New Year; gift giving; and spending time with family and relatives.

Take time to indulge in the spectacular celebrations of the Chinese New Year while staying at a Hong Kong hotel and view the fireworks as you sip on a glass of champagne. The Cosmopolitan Hotel in Hong Kong ensures a comfortable stay to guest with cosy rooms couple with quality amenities.

In the new year there is now a regular on the popular modern society do traditionally red packets are also handed out to younger generation by their parents, grand parents, relatives, and even close neighbors and friends during Imlek. Nowadays giving red packets as a bonus at the year-end by employers becomes popular and Imlek parcel is also a tradition of giving to business associates or relatives.

Giving Imlek parcel to employees prior to the New Year is also a good idea. This can be either a gift or a bonus. If it is as a gift, the money should be just right for a gift. If as a bonus, you may enclose a check in the parcel gift and hand it out in an office.

Article Source : http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/celebrate-the-chinese-new-year-in-hong-kong-713283.html

Chinese New Year Is The Popular Of Traditional Chinese

Chinese New Year begins with the novel Moon on the primary day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. The upcoming Chinese new year 2010 is the year of the Tiger. The new year 2010 is the ji-chou year. the sixth of the Ten Celestial Stems is Jji and yin is the third of the Twelve Terrestrial Branches and symbols the year of the Tiger. The Chinese lunar calendar is said to be the highest sequential record in history, dating from 2600 BC. Monarch Huang Ti is thoughts to have introduced the first cycle of the zodiac. The most significant feature of the calendar, the celebration of the New Year festival, is based on the cyclical dating that is based on the track record of the fresh moon.

On the occasion of new year the whole nation feels joint as they can imagine each other's enjoyment. The Chinese New Year gets firm by the Chinese new year calendar and therefore it is sometimes called the Lunar New Year. In 2010, the Chinese Lunar Year Festival 2010 would begin from 14th of February.

On the occasion of Chinese New Year celebrations people wear red attire, decorate with poems on red paper, and give children "fortunate funds" in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which according to myth can drive away terrible luck. The fireworks that shower the celebrations are fixed in a similar ancient tradition. Long ago, Chinese people lighted bamboo stalks, believing that the crackling fire would frighten wickedness spirits.

Chinese New Year Masks is very famous display the feelings and emotions of happiness associated with the festival. Chinese people all around the world usher in the New Year by cooking special food, clean their homes, purchasing new clothes and buying gift for friends and family. In the middle of all these actions, different artworks like Chinese New Year Masks colored in rich red & golden colors display the spirit of the event.The Chinese Lunar New Year is the longest chronological record in history, dating from 2600BC, when the Emperor Huang Ti introduced the first cycle of the zodiac.

In the new year there is now a regular on the popular modern society do traditionally red packets are also handed out to younger generation by their parents, grand parents, relatives, and even close neighbors and friends during Imlek. Nowadays giving red packets as a bonus at the year-end by employers becomes popular and Imlek parcel is also a tradition of giving to business associates or relatives.

Giving Imlek parcel to employees prior to the New Year is also a good idea. This can be either a gift or a bonus. If it is as a gift, the money should be just right for a gift. If as a bonus, you may enclose a check in the parcel gift and hand it out in an office.

Article Source : http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Chinese-New-Year-2010---Chinese-New-Year-Is-The-Popular-Of-Traditional-Chinese/842528

Pour Your Ideas to Celebrate The Chinese New Year Party

2010 is arriving, New Year again new start of life. People celebrate New Year leaving all the grudges and sadness behind with their loved ones. Whole world holding its breath and eyes are stuck to celebrate the New Year as the clock strike twelve. In the years around 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon (actually the first visible crescent) after the Vernal Equinox (first day of spring). The Chinese New Year that is celebrated for about fifteen days is one moment in the year as every one is aware of its significance; the working people in china can take weeks of holidays so that they can join the company of their near and dear ones. The beginning of spring is a logical time to start a new year. Chinese New Year 2010 is the year of the Tiger. On the Western calendar, the start of the New Year falls on Sunday, February 14, 2010.

New year Eve party is full of enjoyment. People often forget all their grudges, pains and most importantly hectic work load and enjoy in full mood. New Year Eve Celebration involves partying and jumping on the floor until the clock strikes midnight. Drinking, Dancing, Eating and Enjoying are the part of celebrations. The "Nian GAO" is New Year Cake that make out of glutinous rice flour. He higher the “Nian Gao" is, the better the new year is. It is time to leave behind old grudges and to hug the morning of the coming New Year with a wide smile.

The lunar cycle is about 29.5 days. The track of the new moon changes from year to year, Chinese New Year can begin anytime between late January and mid-February. For the tiger in 2010, any recent setbacks or obstacles can be overcome, so look forward to a year in which to really shine, either personally or professionally. It is often called the Lunar New Year, especially by people in mainland China and Taiwan. Ancient Chinese New Year is a reflection on how the people behaved and what they believed in the most. People born In the year of the tiger have a lively disposition and are forthright and uninhibited in nature. They are honest, tender, generous and humorous at the same time.

In the new year there is now a regular on the popular modern society do traditionally red packets are also handed out to younger generation by their parents, grand parents, relatives, and even close neighbors and friends during Imlek. Nowadays giving red packets as a bonus at the year-end by employers becomes popular and Imlek parcel is also a tradition of giving to business associates or relatives.

Giving Imlek parcel to employees prior to the New Year is also a good idea. This can be either a gift or a bonus. If it is as a gift, the money should be just right for a gift. If as a bonus, you may enclose a check in the parcel gift and hand it out in an office.

Article Source : http://www.articlealley.com/article_1296289_27.html

Lunar New Year 2010:- Get complete details of Chinese New Year Celebration

There are many different traditions of celebrating New Year in different countries, yet the fervor and the intensity remains almost same all over. While some countries like United States of America and France hold parades in order to eulogize the occasion. While Chinese and Spanish people like to have a family dinner and then going out for celebrations, natives of Brazil enjoy New Year jubilations at street with colorful props. Making loud noises, having festive food and singing and dancing on jolly tunes is certainly the highlight of the day in any country across the world. chinese new year, which is also known as spring festival is one of the most important traditional holidays. This festival starts on the first day of the first months of the Lunar month in the Chinese calendar and end on the fifteenth day. The last day of the festival is also called "Lantern festival".

The Chinese calendar is based on a combination of lunar and solar movements. The lunar cycle is about 29.5 days. In order to "catch up" with the solar calendar the Chinese insert an extra month once every few years (seven years out of a 19-year cycle) much like we add an extra day on leap year. Because of this, the Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year.

The Chinese lunar calendar is structured to represent the 12 different animals and represents the cyclical nature of time, synchronizing with the moons natural cycles as opposed to the Western Linear concept of time. Although the Chinese make use of the Western calendar, the lunar calendar is still used for festive occasions and is used extensively as part of Chinese Astrological formats and calculations. The New Years celebration ushers in the New Year and is a time of celebration to welcome the new zodiac year. For the Chinese culture, compatibility, matchmaking and luck cycles are heavily linked to a person’s astrological animal symbol. An Australian lunar gold coin is an ideal chinese new Year gift for anyone born in the relevant animal year or as a special token to bring wealth, health and happiness.

The Chinese New Year is being celebrated by pasting New Year pictures. The main objective of pasting these is to please children ands also to promote the traditional Chinese values of hard work and integrity. This way, the children from a very young age gets to learn about their cultures and also their duties. Such pictures are based on various themes, subjects and ideas. There is no particular place for making those crafts. All over the country is engaged in this profession and is being practiced from the ancient times.

Chinese New Year is not just a festival of fun and part, but also a time to welcome the new season, pray for prosperity and well being and cleanse away the any thing evil.

In the new year there is now a regular on the popular modern society do traditionally red packets are also handed out to younger generation by their parents, grand parents, relatives, and even close neighbors and friends during Imlek. Nowadays giving red packets as a bonus at the year-end by employers becomes popular and Imlek parcel is also a tradition of giving to business associates or relatives.

Giving Imlek parcel to employees prior to the New Year is also a good idea. This can be either a gift or a bonus. If it is as a gift, the money should be just right for a gift. If as a bonus, you may enclose a check in the parcel gift and hand it out in an office.

Article Source : http://www.articlesbase.com/holidays-articles/lunar-new-year-2010-get-complete-details-of-chinese-new-year-celebration-1571913.html

What Food Should Be Eaten In The New Year Chinese Tiger

Unless you are Chinese yourself, or perhaps involved with someone who is, you might not know what to eat on Imlek (of the tiger, this year), assuming you want to be traditional. Chinese people often eat certain items because they symbolize something else.

For instance, chicken (usually served whole) symbolizes happiness, Fish, on the other hand, is eaten because the Chinese word for fish (yu) sounds very similar to the word for plenty. Oranges represent wealth and good fortune because they are China's most plentiful fruit. Make certain never to cut your noodles because their length represents long life! Duck is used for fidelity while eggs represent fertility. Oddly enough tofu is forbidden because its color (white) is the color of death (unlike here).

Steamed dumplings are valued as they are made in the shape of traditional Chinese money (taels of gold). Also called jiaozi, dumplings are simple and easy to make. That said, in my house we just buy them at our local Asian market. I like to serve them with a dipping sauce. I make mine by combining about a half a cup of soy sauce, a tablespoon of sesame oil, a tablespoon of minced scallions and about a teaspoon of minced garlic together. If you like your sauce with a bit more kick to it, just add a little Sriracha sauce. That is also available just about everywhere nowadays.

So, there you are. Know you know what to eat on Imlek. And as they say-Gong Hay Fot Choy! Happy year of the tiger!

In the new year there is now a regular on the popular modern society do traditionally red packets are also handed out to younger generation by their parents, grand parents, relatives, and even close neighbors and friends during Imlek. Nowadays giving red packets as a bonus at the year-end by employers becomes popular and Imlek parcel is also a tradition of giving to business associates or relatives.

Giving Imlek parcel to employees prior to the New Year is also a good idea. This can be either a gift or a bonus. If it is as a gift, the money should be just right for a gift. If as a bonus, you may enclose a check in the parcel gift and hand it out in an office.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stacy_Martins

What to Eat on Chinese New Year of the Tiger

Unless you are Chinese yourself, or perhaps involved with someone who is, you might not know what to eat on Imlek (of the tiger, this year), assuming you want to be traditional. Chinese people often eat certain items because they symbolize something else.

For instance, chicken (usually served whole) symbolizes happiness, Fish, on the other hand, is eaten because the Chinese word for fish (yu) sounds very similar to the word for plenty. Oranges represent wealth and good fortune because they are China's most plentiful fruit. Make certain never to cut your noodles because their length represents long life! Duck is used for fidelity while eggs represent fertility. Oddly enough tofu is forbidden because its color (white) is the color of death (unlike here).

Steamed dumplings are valued as they are made in the shape of traditional Chinese money (taels of gold). Also called jiaozi, dumplings are simple and easy to make. That said, in my house we just buy them at our local Asian market. I like to serve them with a dipping sauce. I make mine by combining about a half a cup of soy sauce, a tablespoon of sesame oil, a tablespoon of minced scallions and about a teaspoon of minced garlic together. If you like your sauce with a bit more kick to it, just add a little Sriracha sauce. That is also available just about everywhere nowadays.

So, there you are. Know you know what to eat on Imlek. And as they say-Gong Hay Fot Choy! Happy year of the tiger!

In the new year there is now a regular on the popular modern society do traditionally red packets are also handed out to younger generation by their parents, grand parents, relatives, and even close neighbors and friends during Imlek. Nowadays giving red packets as a bonus at the year-end by employers becomes popular and Imlek parcel is also a tradition of giving to business associates or relatives.

Giving Imlek parcel to employees prior to the New Year is also a good idea. This can be either a gift or a bonus. If it is as a gift, the money should be just right for a gift. If as a bonus, you may enclose a check in the parcel gift and hand it out in an office.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stacy_Martins

Chinese New Year Firecrackers

One of the highlights of Chinese New Year are firecrackers that beautifully light up the sky. Families also enjoy the deafening pop-pop-pops of the firecrackers. Firecrackers are called "pau jeun" in Chinese, meaning exploding bamboo. Pau jeun are burned at home, for work, or for public displays. Firecrackers are used for worship and for celebration. This is why the pau jeun brings a meaning of joy or upliftment for the Chinese. Chinese New Year is also about joy and upliftment, so the pau jeun is used to celebrate it.

Firecrackers are widely used during Chinese New Year because it is believed the bright lights and the noise can scare away evil spirits like Nian. It was believed that Nian is a monster that would awake only during the Lunar New Year and would devour men and animals in its path. People used to light a pile of bamboos on Chinese New Year to scare away Nian. When gun powder was invented, it was added to the bamboos, causing loud bangs. With Nian and the other evil spirits scared off, it is believed that prosperity, good health and happy relationships will fill the year.

The modern day firecrackers now are tubular, similar to the shape of the bamboo. Chinese firecrackers in the US come in assorted sizes and shapes. The most common firecrackers used during the Chinese New Year are the red tubes 1 ½ inches long and are braided together with string, wrapped in transparent paper. A bundle is usually tied with 16 or 50 tubes per pack.

Common brands of Chinese New Year Firecrackers are Black Cat, Red Devil, China Doll, Mighty Mite and Zebra. Stronger versions used for public display are several ropes of firecrackers, topped with a box that can equal 15,000 sticks of fire power. These are suspended on poles high up in the air so the crowd can better see the wonderful colors contrast against the night sky.

In the urban areas of China, it is prohibited to light up fire crackers privately for everybody's safety. One can usually see firecracker displays only during Chinese New Year and special days. However, in rural China where there is bigger space, children may buy and play with the different firecrackers available; thus one can hear the familiar pop-pop-pop all through out the Spring Festival.

In the new year there is now a regular on the popular modern society do traditionally red packets are also handed out to younger generation by their parents, grand parents, relatives, and even close neighbors and friends during Imlek. Nowadays giving red packets as a bonus at the year-end by employers becomes popular and Imlek parcel is also a tradition of giving to business associates or relatives.

Giving Imlek parcel to employees prior to the New Year is also a good idea. This can be either a gift or a bonus. If it is as a gift, the money should be just right for a gift. If as a bonus, you may enclose a check in the parcel gift and hand it out in an office.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=RR_Ritchey

Celebration Imlek

Celebration means when everybody is in a mood how best he or she can celebrate a particular event with his or her parents, friends, spouses, relatives and lots more. The time when the whole world celebrates its New Year and busy in new parties and celebration functions on other hand Chinese community is in a plan how best they can arrange their New Year party. It is because the Imlek is on the 14th February. The main thing which cannot be ignored by one while considering Imlek is animal. Means every coming year is denoted by animal. Therefore, as per the Chinese traditional calendar, Imlek 2010 is denoted by tiger. While Imlek 2010 celebrations define how best they can arrange their parties, events and functions. As red is the favorite color for people in china that depicts their belief in good or evil, animal spirits, on gods and legendary beings. As per the upcoming Imlek calendar 2010, the coming year is the ji-chou year that reflects the combination between jji and yin. Means “Jji” is among the sixth of the Ten Celestial Stems and yin is among the third of the Twelve Terrestrial Branches. So, the coming year is denoted by Tiger. Besides Imlek, there is also one more term name Lunar New Year which is only observed by Vietnamese, Chinese and Koreans. As Lunar New Year Calendar is base on the cycle system of the moon and sun. This further deflects Imlek that can be starts from anywhere between the last week of the January and the middle of the February. So, Imlek calendar plays a vital role in fixing Imlek date which is also known as lunar new year. As per the calendar lunar new year 2010 festival is start from the 14th of February. In the moment the entire nation comes together that make them feel of each other's pleasure. It is only time when Chinese people takes weeks of holidays to celebrate this big even with their near and dear. During this event you will find people with red clothes giving gifts to each other and making lot of fire works. Here 365celebration defines complete information about the importance of Imlek celebration, Imlek greeting cards, chinese valentines day cards and lots more related to event and new year celebrations.

Celebration means when everybody is in a mood how best he or she can celebrate a particular event with his or her parents, friends, spouses, relatives and lots more. The time when the whole world celebrates its New Year and busy in new parties and celebration functions on other hand Chinese community is in a plan how best they can arrange their New Year party. It is because the Imlek is on the 14th February. The main thing which cannot be ignored by one while considering Imlek is animal. Means every coming year is denoted by animal. Therefore, as per the Chinese traditional calendar, Imlek 2010 is denoted by tiger.

While Imlek 2010 celebrations define how best they can arrange their parties, events and functions. As red is the favorite color for people in china that depicts their belief in good or evil, animal spirits, on gods and legendary beings. As per the upcoming Imlek calendar 2010, the coming year is the ji-chou year that reflects the combination between jji and yin. Means “Jji” is among the sixth of the Ten Celestial Stems and yin is among the third of the Twelve Terrestrial Branches. So, the coming year is denoted by Tiger.

In the new year there is now a regular on the popular modern society do traditionally red packets are also handed out to younger generation by their parents, grand parents, relatives, and even close neighbors and friends during Imlek. Nowadays giving red packets as a bonus at the year-end by employers becomes popular and Imlek parcel is also a tradition of giving to business associates or relatives.

Giving Imlek parcel to employees prior to the New Year is also a good idea. This can be either a gift or a bonus. If it is as a gift, the money should be just right for a gift. If as a bonus, you may enclose a check in the parcel gift and hand it out in an office.

Article Source : http://www.articlesbase.com/humor-articles/celebration-is-on-the-way-chinese-new-year-2010-1699142.html

Imlek Tradition

Imlek starts with the New Moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. The 15th day of the new year is called the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated at night with lantern displays and children carrying lanterns in a parade.

The Chinese calendar is based on a combination of lunar and solar movements. The lunar cycle is about 29.5 days. In order to "catch up" with the solar calendar the Chinese insert an extra month once every few years (seven years out of a 19-yearcycle). This is the same as adding an extra day on leap year. This is why, according to the solar calendar, the Imlek falls on a different date each year.

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are celebrated as a family affair, a time of reunion and thanksgiving. The celebration was traditionally highlighted with a religious ceremony given in honor of Heaven and Earth, the gods of the household and the family ancestors.

The sacrifice to the ancestors, the most vital of all the rituals, united the living members with those who had passed away. Departed relatives are remembered with great respect because they were responsible for laying the foundations for the fortune and glory of the family.

The presence of the ancestors is acknowledged on New Year's Eve with a dinner arranged for them at the family banquet table. The spirits of the ancestors, together with the living, celebrate the onset of the New Year as one great community. The communal feast called "surrounding the stove" or weilu. It symbolizes family unity and honors the past and present generations.

in the new year there is now a regular on the popular modern society do

Traditionally red packets are also handed out to younger generation by their parents, grand parents, relatives, and even close neighbors and friends during Imlek. Nowadays giving red packets as a bonus at the year-end by employers becomes popular and Imlek parcel is also a tradition of giving to business associates or relatives.

Giving Imlek parcel to employees prior to the New Year is also a good idea. This can be either a gift or a bonus. If it is as a gift, the money should be just right for a gift. If as a bonus, you may enclose a check in the parcel gift and hand it out in an office.

Article Source : http://www.educ.uvic.ca/faculty/mroth/438/CHINA/chinese_new_year.html