I'm a monkey and my son is a dog. It's true, according to the Chinese calendar! This year willbe my year, The Year of the Monkey and we will be celebrating with my son's schoolmate's family on January 22, the Chinese New Year. I found this to be a great opportunity to learn more about this ancient and exciting celebration. Not only will it last longer than one night, it will be filled with food, dragons, lucky money, tradition, and cool crafts.
History Behind the Celebration
According to The Scotland Online Website,
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.
Like the Western calendar, The Chinese Lunar Calendar is a yearly one, with the start of the lunar year being based on the cycles of the moon. Therefore, because of this cyclical dating, the beginning of the year can fall anywhere between late January and the middle of February. In 2004, it will fall on January 22. A complete cycle takes 60 years and is made up of five cycles of 12 years each.
Chinese Calendar
We have been having fun learning about the lunar calendar. We have always had an intrest in astrology so we were tickled to read about the different animals associated with the Chinese lunar calendar. The Scotland Online Website shares this information:
The Chinese Lunar Calendar names each of the twelve years after an animal. Legend has it that the Lord Buddha summoned all the animals to come to him before he departed from earth. Only twelve came to bid him farewell and as a reward he named a year after each one in the order they arrived. The Chinese believe the animal ruling the year in which a person is born has a profound influence on personality, saying: "This is the animal that hides in your heart."
Craft Ideas
Cut Paper Lanterns
Paper and cloth lanterns are handcrafts made in China. They are put in and around the homes during festivals, weddings and other celebrations. Use these lanterns to liven up your home during the Chinese New Year.
What You Need:
- colored or white 12X18inch contruction paper
- scissors
- water color paint, colored markers, or crayons
- glue, tape, or stapler
- Decorate the paper on both sides with water color paints, colored markers, or crayons. Set to dry if using paints.
- Fold the paper in half length-wise making a long, thin rectangle.
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