Chinese New Year is on Thursday, February 19, 2015. It marks the start of the Year of the Wood Sheep in the Chinese zodiac, and the celebration lasts for days.
Report by Paula Antolini
February 19, 2015 9:49PM EDT
Chinese New Year is on Thursday, February 19, 2015. It marks the start of the Year of the Wood Sheep in the Chinese zodiac, and the celebration lasts for days.
Chinese New Year marks the first day of the New Year in the Chinese calendar, which differs from the Gregorian calendar.
It is also known as the Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year. Every year is represented by a zodiac animal sign.
The Year of the Sheep
The year 2015 is the Year of the Goat, however, you will also see Sheep and Ram used too. The sign’s confusion stems from its Chinese character, “yang,” which broadly describes any of the mammals, with or without horns.
The sheep is one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac (Shēngxiào, or 生肖), which is based on a 12-year cycle.
The Year of the Wood Sheep (Wei) starts on February 19, 2015, and ends on February 7, 2016, in the Gregorian calendar. It comes after the Year of the Horse and before the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese calendar. During Spring Festival, people put up symbols of the sheep, as well as the “happiness” sign, in their homes.
Chinese New Year is a festive occasion that calls for celebration in many places around the world.
What Do People Do On Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year is the most important and longest of all Chinese festivals, celebrated in Chinese communities worldwide. Chinese New Year activities include:
• Making offerings to household deities.
• Wearing new clothes, particularly in red.
• Hosting a large banquet for family and friends.
• Taking part in lion and dragon dances, as well as festive parades featuring acrobatic demonstrations, beating gongs, and clashing cymbals.
Many children receive “lucky money” in red envelopes and household doors are open to let good luck enter on Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year may also include a lantern festival, where people hang decorated lanterns in temples and carry lanterns to an evening parade.
About Chinese New Year
This festival is believed go as far back as prehistory. It marks the start of the new lunar cycle and is called the Spring Festival (in the northern hemisphere) as it falls between the
December solsticeand the March equinox.China follows the Gregorian calendar for daily business but the dates of the Chinese New Year and other important festivals are determined by the Chinese calendar.
The Chinese New Year, which is the first day of the first month, in the Chinese calendar is assigned to an animal. According to one belief, Buddha promised gifts to all animals that would pay him homage. Only 12 animals came to honor Buddha so, to favor these 12 animals, each one was given one of the 12 years of the Chinese zodiac. People born during one of the animal’s years are said to inherit distinctive characteristics of that animal. The signs repeat every 12 years.
What Animal Sign Were You Born Under?
Click HERE to see your animal sign.
The Chinese calendar is based on astronomical observations of the sun’s longitude and the moon’s phases. It is believed to have been introduced by Emperor Huangdi (or Huang Ti) at some stage around 2600 to 3000 years BCE. According to legend, the emperor invited the calendar in 2637 BCE. This calendar predates the Gregorian calendar, which was introduced in 1582. The Chinese lunar calendar is used to determine festivals, so the dates of these festivals vary each year. Various Chinese communities around the world also use this calendar.
Symbols
Chinese New Year has various symbols and traditions. For example, flowers are an important part of New Year decorations. Two flowers that are often associated with Chinese New Year are the plum blossom (courage and hope) and the water narcissus (good luck and fortune). Writings that refer to good luck are often seen in homes and business environments. They are usually written by brush on a diamond-shaped piece of red paper. Tangerines and oranges are also displayed in many homes and stores as a sign of luck and wealth.
Envelopes with money (Hong Bao, Ang Pao, or Lai See), often come in the color red, which symbolizes happiness, good luck, success and good fortune. The color red is also used on these envelopes to ward off evil spirits. These envelopes are mainly given as presents to children. Each Chinese New Year is associated with an animal name for one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.
What’s Open or Closed?
Chinese New Year is a public holiday in China, which lasts for a few days. It is also a public holiday in countries such as Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, North Korea, Singapore, South Korea, and Vietnam.
It is not a public holiday in countries such as Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom or the United States. However, some businesses may close early and some streets may be closed for a short while to allow for festival parades to take place.
*****
View video below from ibtimes.co.uk:
“Chinese residents in Beijing flocked to White Cloud Temple on 19 February to welcome the Year of the Goat. On the way in, people rubbed the monkey carving near the entrance, as the animal is believed to bring good luck and ward off bad luck in the year to come. Many came to pray for a better year ahead.”
“Right now it appears like Expression Engine is the best blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?”
Really enjoyed this blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Really Cool.
I just want to say I am beginner to blogging and site-building and definitely savored your page. Almost certainly I’m want to bookmark your site . You definitely have excellent articles and reviews. Thank you for sharing with us your webpage.
Looking forward to reading more. Great blog post.Much thanks again. Want more.
wow, awesome blog post.Really thank you! Want more.
Hello very good topic, I just checking the post for learning an stimulus or an motivating blog. Significant blog, thank you for sharing. Julia
No matter ifWhen some one searches for his requirednecessaryessentialvital thing, sothustherefore he/she wantsneedsdesireswishes to be available that in detail, sothustherefore that thing is maintained over here.
Wonderful beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear concept
I was just seeking this info for some time. After 6 hours of continuous Googleing, at last I got it in your site. I wonder what is the lack of Google strategy that do not rank this type of informative websites in top of the list. Usually the top websites are full of garbage.
I’m not sure where you’re getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for great information I was looking for this info for my mission.
Great write-up, I am normal visitor of one¡¦s website, maintain up the nice operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
whoah this weblog is magnificent i like reading your articles. Keep up the good work! You already know, lots of individuals are looking around for this information, you could aid them greatly.
Wow! Thank you! I constantly wanted to write on my blog something like that. Can I include a part of your post to my site?
Hello. fantastic job. I did not expect this. This is a impressive story. Thanks!
I do consider all of the ideas you have offered to your post. They’re very convincing and can certainly work. Still, the posts are too short for newbies. May just you please extend them a little from next time? Thank you for the post.
Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this in future. A lot of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
Wow, fantastic blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is excellent, let alone the content!
I am not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for fantastic info I was looking for this information for my mission.
wonderful submit, very informative. I ponder why the opposite experts of this sector don’t notice this. You should proceed your writing. I am confident, you have a great readers’ base already!
I think other website proprietors should take this website as an model, very clean and great user genial style and design, as well as the content. You’re an expert in this topic!
You made some decent points there. I looked on the internet for the subject matter and found most people will approve with your blog.
We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your website provided us with valuable information to work on. You have done an impressive job and our whole community will be grateful to you.
I have not checked in here for some time because I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are good quality so I guess I will add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
I truly appreciate this post. I¡¦ve been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thx again
It¡¦s truly a great and helpful piece of information. I am glad that you simply shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
I and my buddies were found to be taking note of the best hints found on the blog while instantly developed a horrible feeling I never thanked you for those secrets. These ladies are already totally thrilled to see them and already have undoubtedly been loving these things. We appreciate you truly being simply kind as well as for having these kinds of essential ideas millions of individuals are really eager to understand about. My sincere apologies for not expressing gratitude to sooner.
I have been examinating out a few of your stories and i can claim pretty nice stuff. I will make sure to bookmark your blog.
You could certainly see your skills in the work you write. The arena hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.
Hiya, I’m really glad I have found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossips and web and this is really annoying. A good website with interesting content, this is what I need. Thank you for keeping this site, I will be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can’t find it.
I really appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thanks again
great submit, very informative. I ponder why the other specialists of this sector do not understand this. You must continue your writing. I am confident, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!
I keep listening to the news update lecture about getting free online grant applications so I have been looking around for the best site to get one. Could you tell me please, where could i find some?
Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and aid others like you aided me.
I savour, lead to I discovered exactly what I used to be taking a look for. You have ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
Hello, you used to write wonderful, but the last several posts have been kinda boring¡K I miss your great writings. Past few posts are just a bit out of track! come on!
Thank you, I have just been searching for info about this topic for a long time and yours is the best I have found out till now. However, what in regards to the conclusion? Are you sure in regards to the source?
great points altogether, you simply gained a new reader. What could you recommend in regards to your submit that you made a few days in the past? Any positive?
I was just seeking this information for some time. After 6 hours of continuous Googleing, at last I got it in your site. I wonder what is the lack of Google strategy that don’t rank this kind of informative sites in top of the list. Usually the top websites are full of garbage.
Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your web site is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you¡¦ve on this site. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the information I already searched everywhere and just couldn’t come across. What a great web site.
I have learn a few just right stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how so much effort you place to create this kind of magnificent informative site.
I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an shakiness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike.
It’s perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you some interesting things or suggestions. Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read more things about it!
Keep functioning ,great job!
Thank you, I have just been looking for info about this topic for a while and yours is the best I have came upon so far. However, what in regards to the conclusion? Are you positive in regards to the source?
I haven¡¦t checked in here for a while since I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess I¡¦ll add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
I’ve been absent for a while, but now I remember why I used to love this blog. Thanks , I will try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your web site?
I simply desired to thank you very much once more. I’m not certain the things I might have implemented in the absence of the entire concepts revealed by you relating to my situation. Certainly was a traumatic condition in my view, however , considering a professional way you resolved it made me to jump with gladness. Now i am happy for this information as well as hope you recognize what an amazing job that you are putting in instructing people with the aid of a site. I know that you’ve never encountered all of us.
I am not sure where you are getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for fantastic information I was looking for this information for my mission.
What i do not understood is in reality how you’re now not really a lot more smartly-preferred than you might be now. You’re very intelligent. You already know thus significantly relating to this topic, produced me in my opinion consider it from so many varied angles. Its like women and men are not fascinated until it¡¦s something to do with Woman gaga! Your personal stuffs nice. At all times care for it up!
Wow! This can be one particular of the most beneficial blogs We’ve ever arrive across on this subject. Basically Fantastic. I’m also an expert in this topic therefore I can understand your effort.
of course like your website however you have to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I in finding it very troublesome to tell the reality then again I¡¦ll certainly come back again.
I have fun with, cause I found just what I was looking for. You’ve ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
Thank you for another informative blog. The place else may I am getting that kind of info written in such a perfect way? I have a mission that I am simply now working on, and I have been at the look out for such information.
I simply wanted to type a brief remark in order to appreciate you for these fantastic items you are sharing at this website. My rather long internet lookup has now been honored with good quality facts and strategies to exchange with my good friends. I ‘d repeat that we visitors actually are quite lucky to exist in a very good place with very many wonderful individuals with beneficial solutions. I feel somewhat lucky to have come across your webpages and look forward to plenty of more amazing moments reading here. Thank you again for all the details.
Good site! I truly love how it is simple on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I could be notified when a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS feed which must do the trick! Have a nice day!
I do consider all of the concepts you’ve introduced on your post. They’re very convincing and will definitely work. Nonetheless, the posts are very brief for starters. May you please prolong them a bit from next time? Thanks for the post.
I will immediately grasp your rss feed as I can’t to find your email subscription link or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly let me recognise so that I could subscribe. Thanks.
Wow, incredible blog format! How long have you been running a blog for? you make running a blog glance easy. The whole look of your site is excellent, let alone the content material!
As I web site possessor I believe the content matter here is rattling great , appreciate it for your hard work. You should keep it up forever! Best of luck.
It is actually practically impossible to see well-updated parties on this content, then again you come across as like you comprehend those things you’re writing on! With Thanks
Hi folks here, just became conscious of your wordpress bog through Search engine, and discovered that it is really informational. I’ll truly appreciate should you decide keep up this.
It really is practically extremely difficult to see well-informed parties on this issue, however , you seem like you realize what exactly you’re indicating! Appreciate It
I have recently started a website, the info you offer on this web site has helped me greatly. Thank you for all of your time & work.
I am not certain where you are getting your info, however good topic. I must spend some time studying much more or working out more. Thanks for fantastic info I used to be in search of this info for my mission.
Hey very cool web site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Superb .. I will bookmark your website and take the feeds also¡KI’m satisfied to find a lot of helpful information here in the put up, we’d like work out more techniques on this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
I intended to compose you the very small remark so as to say thank you over again over the magnificent advice you have provided at this time. It has been particularly generous with you to provide unhampered all that many people would’ve supplied for an electronic book to help make some bucks for their own end, most importantly considering the fact that you could have tried it in the event you desired. These good ideas as well acted to be a good way to know that other people online have the same dreams just as my personal own to find out a whole lot more related to this condition. I am sure there are millions of more pleasurable instances in the future for folks who read through your blog.
Wow, amazing weblog layout! How long have you ever been running a blog for? you make running a blog look easy. The total glance of your web site is fantastic, let alone the content material!
My spouse and i have been ecstatic when Chris managed to do his inquiry from your precious recommendations he acquired out of the weblog. It’s not at all simplistic to just be giving away facts that the rest could have been trying to sell. We really understand we now have the blog owner to thank for that. The entire illustrations you have made, the easy blog navigation, the relationships you aid to promote – it’s mostly awesome, and it’s really aiding our son in addition to our family reckon that this topic is amusing, and that’s highly essential. Thanks for all!
Great website. A lot of useful information here. I am sending it to a few buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks for your sweat!
Undeniably believe that which you stated. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the internet the easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people think about worries that they just do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people could take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
I have been examinating out many of your articles and i can state clever stuff. I will make sure to bookmark your website.
I’ve been browsing online more than three hours these days, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It¡¦s beautiful price enough for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the web might be much more useful than ever before.
I simply wanted to jot down a note in order to say thanks to you for the magnificent steps you are sharing on this site. My extensive internet lookup has now been paid with extremely good tips to talk about with my company. I ‘d state that that we site visitors are definitely endowed to exist in a magnificent site with many perfect people with very helpful plans. I feel somewhat blessed to have encountered your site and look forward to really more amazing minutes reading here. Thanks again for all the details.
Of course, what a great site and instructive posts, I surely will bookmark your site.Best Regards!
Thank you for all your effort on this web site. My mum enjoys doing internet research and it’s really easy to see why. I learn all about the compelling medium you give very useful guidance on your website and even encourage response from other individuals on that article so our own girl is without question being taught a lot of things. Take advantage of the rest of the year. You’re the one conducting a superb job.
I like the helpful information you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your blog and check again here regularly. I am quite certain I will learn many new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!
Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and aid others like you aided me.
Whats Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It absolutely useful and it has aided me out loads. I am hoping to give a contribution & help different users like its helped me. Great job.
Wow! This could be one particular of the most helpful blogs We’ve ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Fantastic. I am also a specialist in this topic so I can understand your hard work.
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly comeback.
I like the valuable info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly. I’m quite certain I’ll learn a lot of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!
You completed certain nice points there. I did a search on the subject matter and found most persons will agree with your blog.
Somebody necessarily lend a hand to make seriously articles I might state. That is the first time I frequented your web page and to this point? I surprised with the analysis you made to make this particular put up extraordinary. Fantastic task!
Great ¡V I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your web site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs as well as related information ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, website theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task..
I’m also commenting to make you understand what a incredible encounter our princess went through viewing your web site. She realized plenty of details, which include what it’s like to possess an awesome helping style to have men and women smoothly know specified tricky subject matter. You really exceeded people’s expectations. Many thanks for offering those important, dependable, revealing and even unique tips about that topic to Evelyn.
I think other site proprietors should take this web site as an model, very clean and fantastic user genial style and design, let alone the content. You are an expert in this topic!
I’m still learning from you, as I’m improving myself. I absolutely love reading all that is written on your website.Keep the stories coming. I liked it!
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my weblog thus i came to “return the favor”.I am trying to find things to enhance my website!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!
I think this is one of the most vital info for me. And i am glad reading your article. But should remark on few general things, The web site style is perfect, the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers
Great write-up, I am regular visitor of one¡¦s blog, maintain up the nice operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
It certainly is nearly close to impossible to encounter well-educated individuals on this issue, however, you come across as like you are familiar with the things that you’re indicating! Excellent
I wish to show some appreciation to the writer for rescuing me from this type of predicament. Just after scouting through the internet and seeing things which are not powerful, I was thinking my life was well over. Existing devoid of the approaches to the problems you’ve sorted out by means of your short post is a serious case, as well as ones which could have in a wrong way affected my entire career if I had not noticed your blog post. Your primary training and kindness in controlling all the things was invaluable. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I hadn’t come across such a subject like this. I am able to at this moment relish my future. Thank you so much for your high quality and effective guide. I won’t hesitate to recommend the sites to anyone who wants and needs guidelines on this problem.
I relish, lead to I discovered exactly what I used to be taking a look for. You’ve ended my 4 day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
I like what you guys are up also. Such intelligent work and reporting! Keep up the superb works guys I¡¦ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my web site 🙂
You made some clear points there. I did a search on the subject matter and found most people will agree with your blog.
It’s mostly close to impossible to encounter well-advised americans on this issue, yet somehow you come across as like you know exactly what you’re raving about! Gratitude
Undeniably believe that which you said. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the web the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while people consider worries that they just do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
Simply want to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity in your post is simply excellent and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the rewarding work.
I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I’m hoping the same high-grade site post from you in the upcoming also. Actually your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own web site now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings rapidly. Your write up is a great example of it.
Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.
Great ¡V I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your website. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs as well as related information ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, website theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Nice task..
My brother recommended I might like this blog. He was entirely right. This post actually made my day. You can not imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
I have been browsing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all web owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be a lot more useful than ever before.
Great paintings! That is the kind of information that should be shared around the net. Disgrace on Google for not positioning this publish higher! Come on over and discuss with my site . Thank you =)
Good ¡V I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your website. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs as well as related info ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, website theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate. Nice task..
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely comeback.
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! However, how can we communicate?
Good day very cool website!! Guy .. Excellent .. Superb .. I will bookmark your blog and take the feeds also¡KI am satisfied to find a lot of helpful info right here in the post, we want work out extra techniques on this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
Magnificent site. Lots of helpful info here. I¡¦m sending it to several pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks on your sweat!
I’m very happy to read this. This is the kind of manual that needs to be given and not the accidental misinformation that’s at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this best doc.
I’ve been browsing on-line more than three hours lately, yet I by no means discovered any fascinating article like yours. It¡¦s beautiful worth sufficient for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made good content material as you did, the net will probably be a lot more helpful than ever before.
I am just writing to make you know of the fabulous encounter my friend’s girl found reading through your web site. She figured out some pieces, with the inclusion of what it is like to possess a great helping spirit to let many more with no trouble know just exactly a variety of tortuous matters. You really exceeded our expectations. I appreciate you for delivering those great, dependable, informative and also fun guidance on this topic to Julie.
naturally like your website but you need to check the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very troublesome to inform the truth however I¡¦ll certainly come back again.
Hi there, I found your web site via Google at the same time as searching for a comparable matter, your web site came up, it appears good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Terrific work! That is the kind of info that should be shared around the internet. Shame on Google for no longer positioning this post higher! Come on over and discuss with my website . Thanks =)