Index Chinese

ancestors ........................4
Chinese calendar............6,
18, 19
Lantern Festival ............20

Lion Dance ................16, 17

luck ......................8, 10, 11,

New Year
Chinese language ..........9
12, 13, 14, 16
Chinese zodiac ........18, 19
moon ................................6
debt ................................ 8
New Year’s Eve ........12, 13
Dragon Dance ..........5, 20
New Year’s Day........14, 15
firecrackers ......................11
parades ..............6, 20, 22
flowers ............................10
red............11, 12, 13, 14, 15
food ..............10, 12, 15, 22
Gung hay fat choy ........9 San Francisco ................22

Kitchen God ....................10 spring couplets................11

Lai see............................13 United States ................22

A Buddy Book
by
Julie Murray

24
 Important Words
ancestor a family member who lived in a
different time.
Visit us at
www.abdopub.com customs a practice that has been around a long
Published by ABDO Publishing Company, 4940 Viking Drive, Edina, Minnesota 55435.
time. Lai see envelopes are a custom of Chinese
Copyright © 2005 by Abdo Consulting Group, Inc. International copyrights reserved in all countries. No
New Year.
part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. Buddy
Books™ is a trademark and logo of ABDO Publishing Company. debt something, such as money, that is owed to
Printed in the United States. someone else.
Edited by: Sarah Tieck holiday a special time for celebration.
Contributing Editor: Michael P. Goecke
Graphic Design: Denise Esner
Image Research: Deborah Coldiron, Maria Hosley symbol an object or mark that stands for an idea.
Photographs: BrandX, Corbis, Corel, Image Ideas, Photodisc

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data traditional customs and beliefs handed down from
generation to generation.
Murray, Julie, 1969-
Chinese New Year / Julie Murray.
p. cm. — (Holidays)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Contents: A Chinese holiday — The Chinese calendar — How it began — Preparing for the
New Year — Symbols of the New Year — New Year’s Eve celebrations — New Year’s Day
Web Sites
— Lion dancers — The end of the celebration.
ISBN 1-59197-585-9
1. Chinese New Year—Juvenile literature. 2. United States—Social life and customs—Juvenile To learn more about Chinese New Year,
literature. [1. Chinese New Year. 2. Holidays.] I. Title.
visit ABDO Publishing Company on the World Wide Web.
GT4905.M87 2005
394.261—dc22
Web site links about Chinese New Year are featured on our
Book Links page. These links are routinely monitored and
2003058322
updated to provide the most current information available.
www.abdopub.com

23
 In the United States, people celebrate,
Table of Contents
too. There is a big parade in California What Is Chinese New Year? ............4
every year. It happens in a part of San An Ancient Holiday ......................7
Francisco called Chinatown. It started Preparing For The New Year . . . . . . . . 8
in 1953. Thousands of people fill the Symbols Of The New Year . . . . . . . . . . 10
streets and watch New Year’s Eve ..........................12
the parade. It
New Year’s Day ..........................14
teaches people
Lion Dances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
about Chinese
customs. The Chinese Zodiac. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
The End Of The Celebrations........20
Chinese New Year Important Words ........................23
parades are full of
colorful costumes. Web Sites ..................................23
Index ........................................24

22 3
 What Is Chinese
New Year?
People around the world celebrate People gather
at a temple in Kuala
Chinese New Year. It is a time when Lumpur, Malaysia.
people think about the year ahead.
They wish for good things. They visit
family and friends. They also
remember their ancestors.
Chinese New Year happens in
January or February. This holiday
begins on a different date each year.

4 21
 This colorful

The End Of The dragon leads the

Dragon Dance.

Celebrations
In China, the New Year’s celebration
ends with the Lantern Festival. People
parade through the streets with
colorful, lighted lanterns. They
watch a large paper dragon
dance through the streets.

Colorful, lighted
lanterns are part of
Chinese New Year.

20 5

Chinese New Year is always on the
first day of the new Chinese calendar.
This calendar is based on the moon’s
changes. People used to measure time
by watching the moon. Chinese New
Year celebrations last 15 days. The last
night is always a full moon.
Chinese New Year
parades are a tradition
around the world.
6 19
Rabbit—1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
Nice, shy, quiet, well-liked
Dragon—1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Creative, strong, smart
Snake—1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Wise, romantic, charming
Horse—1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
Independent, smart, friendly,
a hard worker
Sheep/Goat—1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
Artistic, trusting, picky
Monkey—1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
Funny, smart, well-liked
Rooster—1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
Hard worker, proud, bold
Dog—1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
Loyal, honest, well-liked
Pig—1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
Smart, hard worker, caring
 The Chinese Zodiac
Each year in the Chinese calendar is
named for an animal. These animals An Ancient
are part of the Chinese zodiac. There are Holiday
12 animals.
The Chinese say people are like the Chinese New Year is an old holiday.
animals. They become like the animal It started thousands of years ago. At
from the year they were born. What first, it was a celebration of the start of
animal are you? spring in China. Today, Chinese New
Year still celebrates new beginnings.
Rat—1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Friendly, smart, imaginative
Ox/Buffalo—1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Loyal, honest, strong, a leader
Tiger—1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
Brave, warm, loving, a rebel

18 7
 Preparing For
The New Year
People start to get ready early for
Chinese New Year. Families clean
houses and sweep floors. This gets rid
of dirt, dust, and bad luck. They also
buy new clothes, get haircuts, and pay
debts. These activities are about
having a good year.
These lion
dancers are very fit.

8 17
 Lion Dances
The Lion Dance has been part of
Chinese New Year for almost 2,000
Friends and
years. Dancers perform in the streets family celebrate
Chinese New Year
and at stores. Two or more people together.

hold the head and body of a colorful

papier-mâché lion. The lion dancers
move fast. They must train to do their
special dance.
The dance music comes from drums
and cymbals. The Chinese say the loud Gung hay fat choy is said often
noise and the dancing lion scare evil during Chinese New Year. It means,
spirits away. They believe this brings “Congratulations on your good
good luck. People put money in the fortune and happiness” in the
lion’s mouth for luck, too. Chinese language.

16 9
 Symbols Of The
New Year
Fruits
Fruits mean good fortune. Oranges
bring riches. Tangerines bring good luck.
People give them as gifts. Also, families
set out sweet foods for their Kitchen God.
He takes a trip to the heavens before the
New Year. People want him to say good
things about them.
Flowers
During Chinese New Year, houses are
full of plants. These are symbols of new
life. The Chinese want flowers to bloom
on New Year’s Day. They say this
brings luck.
10
A feast of
traditional foods for
New Year’s Day
On New Year’s Day, people see
family and friends. They also honor
family members who have died. They
bring gifts to each other. Children get
more red envelopes.
People make a large meal of
traditional foods to share. Some of
these are shark fin soup, special
vegetables, and roast duck.
15
 Spring Couplets
Red paper with black Chinese letters
New Year’s Day hang on walls and doors. These are
called spring couplets. They are put up
The Chinese believe New Year’s Day in houses and stores. The Chinese say
sets the tone for the year. They want it red is the color of luck. The black letters
to be a good day. are poems with good wishes for
the year.
Firecrackers
The Chinese hang firecracker
decorations in their homes. These
symbolize real firecrackers. The Chinese
believe loud noises
frighten evil spirits.
The Chinese use
They say this keeps
decorations to bring good bad luck away.
luck in the new year.

14 11
 New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is an important
night for families. They stay home and
say good-bye to the old year. Some
families put red paper over the door. Lai see are given
They say this keeps good luck inside to children. Lai see money
is good luck.
their house.
The family has a special dinner.
Children stay up late. Families make
They eat many foods. One thing that is
wishes, tell stories, and play games.
eaten is fish. The Chinese word for fish
Children are given lai see before
is yu. It sounds like a Chinese word
midnight. This is money in a red
that means “great plenty.” This is why
envelope. Lai see money is good luck.
people eat fish.
12 13
 New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is an important
night for families. They stay home and
say good-bye to the old year. Some
families put red paper over the door. Lai see are given
They say this keeps good luck inside to children. Lai see money
is good luck.
their house.
The family has a special dinner.
Children stay up late. Families make
They eat many foods. One thing that is
wishes, tell stories, and play games.
eaten is fish. The Chinese word for fish
Children are given lai see before
is yu. It sounds like a Chinese word
midnight. This is money in a red
that means “great plenty.” This is why
envelope. Lai see money is good luck.
people eat fish.
12 13
 Spring Couplets
Red paper with black Chinese letters
New Year’s Day hang on walls and doors. These are
called spring couplets. They are put up
The Chinese believe New Year’s Day in houses and stores. The Chinese say
sets the tone for the year. They want it red is the color of luck. The black letters
to be a good day. are poems with good wishes for
the year.
Firecrackers
The Chinese hang firecracker
decorations in their homes. These
symbolize real firecrackers. The Chinese
believe loud noises
frighten evil spirits.
The Chinese use
They say this keeps
decorations to bring good bad luck away.
luck in the new year.

14 11
 Symbols Of The
New Year
Fruits
Fruits mean good fortune. Oranges
bring riches. Tangerines bring good luck.
People give them as gifts. Also, families
set out sweet foods for their Kitchen God.
He takes a trip to the heavens before the
New Year. People want him to say good
things about them.
Flowers
During Chinese New Year, houses are
full of plants. These are symbols of new
life. The Chinese want flowers to bloom
on New Year’s Day. They say this
brings luck.
10
A feast of
traditional foods for
New Year’s Day
On New Year’s Day, people see
family and friends. They also honor
family members who have died. They
bring gifts to each other. Children get
more red envelopes.
People make a large meal of
traditional foods to share. Some of
these are shark fin soup, special
vegetables, and roast duck.
15
 Lion Dances
The Lion Dance has been part of
Chinese New Year for almost 2,000
Friends and
years. Dancers perform in the streets family celebrate
Chinese New Year
and at stores. Two or more people together.

hold the head and body of a colorful

papier-mâché lion. The lion dancers
move fast. They must train to do their
special dance.
The dance music comes from drums
and cymbals. The Chinese say the loud Gung hay fat choy is said often
noise and the dancing lion scare evil during Chinese New Year. It means,
spirits away. They believe this brings “Congratulations on your good
good luck. People put money in the fortune and happiness” in the
lion’s mouth for luck, too. Chinese language.

16 9
 Preparing For
The New Year
People start to get ready early for
Chinese New Year. Families clean
houses and sweep floors. This gets rid
of dirt, dust, and bad luck. They also
buy new clothes, get haircuts, and pay
debts. These activities are about
having a good year.
These lion
dancers are very fit.

8 17
 The Chinese Zodiac
Each year in the Chinese calendar is
named for an animal. These animals An Ancient
are part of the Chinese zodiac. There are Holiday
12 animals.
The Chinese say people are like the Chinese New Year is an old holiday.
animals. They become like the animal It started thousands of years ago. At
from the year they were born. What first, it was a celebration of the start of
animal are you? spring in China. Today, Chinese New
Year still celebrates new beginnings.
Rat—1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Friendly, smart, imaginative
Ox/Buffalo—1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Loyal, honest, strong, a leader
Tiger—1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
Brave, warm, loving, a rebel

18 7

Chinese New Year is always on the
first day of the new Chinese calendar.
This calendar is based on the moon’s
changes. People used to measure time
by watching the moon. Chinese New
Year celebrations last 15 days. The last
night is always a full moon.
Chinese New Year
parades are a tradition
around the world.
6 19
Rabbit—1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
Nice, shy, quiet, well-liked
Dragon—1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Creative, strong, smart
Snake—1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Wise, romantic, charming
Horse—1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
Independent, smart, friendly,
a hard worker
Sheep/Goat—1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
Artistic, trusting, picky
Monkey—1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
Funny, smart, well-liked
Rooster—1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
Hard worker, proud, bold
Dog—1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
Loyal, honest, well-liked
Pig—1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
Smart, hard worker, caring
 This colorful

The End Of The dragon leads the

Dragon Dance.

Celebrations
In China, the New Year’s celebration
ends with the Lantern Festival. People
parade through the streets with
colorful, lighted lanterns. They
watch a large paper dragon
dance through the streets.

Colorful, lighted
lanterns are part of
Chinese New Year.

20 5
 What Is Chinese
New Year?
People around the world celebrate People gather
at a temple in Kuala
Chinese New Year. It is a time when Lumpur, Malaysia.
people think about the year ahead.
They wish for good things. They visit
family and friends. They also
remember their ancestors.
Chinese New Year happens in
January or February. This holiday
begins on a different date each year.

4 21
 In the United States, people celebrate,
Table of Contents
too. There is a big parade in California What Is Chinese New Year? ............4
every year. It happens in a part of San An Ancient Holiday ......................7
Francisco called Chinatown. It started Preparing For The New Year . . . . . . . . 8
in 1953. Thousands of people fill the Symbols Of The New Year . . . . . . . . . . 10
streets and watch New Year’s Eve ..........................12
the parade. It
New Year’s Day ..........................14
teaches people
Lion Dances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
about Chinese
customs. The Chinese Zodiac. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
The End Of The Celebrations........20
Chinese New Year Important Words ........................23
parades are full of
colorful costumes. Web Sites ..................................23
Index ........................................24

22 3
 Important Words
ancestor a family member who lived in a
different time.
Visit us at
www.abdopub.com customs a practice that has been around a long
Published by ABDO Publishing Company, 4940 Viking Drive, Edina, Minnesota 55435.
time. Lai see envelopes are a custom of Chinese
Copyright © 2005 by Abdo Consulting Group, Inc. International copyrights reserved in all countries. No
New Year.
part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. Buddy
Books™ is a trademark and logo of ABDO Publishing Company. debt something, such as money, that is owed to
Printed in the United States. someone else.
Edited by: Sarah Tieck holiday a special time for celebration.
Contributing Editor: Michael P. Goecke
Graphic Design: Denise Esner
Image Research: Deborah Coldiron, Maria Hosley symbol an object or mark that stands for an idea.
Photographs: BrandX, Corbis, Corel, Image Ideas, Photodisc

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data traditional customs and beliefs handed down from
generation to generation.
Murray, Julie, 1969-
Chinese New Year / Julie Murray.
p. cm. — (Holidays)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Contents: A Chinese holiday — The Chinese calendar — How it began — Preparing for the
New Year — Symbols of the New Year — New Year’s Eve celebrations — New Year’s Day
Web Sites
— Lion dancers — The end of the celebration.
ISBN 1-59197-585-9
1. Chinese New Year—Juvenile literature. 2. United States—Social life and customs—Juvenile To learn more about Chinese New Year,
literature. [1. Chinese New Year. 2. Holidays.] I. Title.
visit ABDO Publishing Company on the World Wide Web.
GT4905.M87 2005
394.261—dc22
Web site links about Chinese New Year are featured on our
Book Links page. These links are routinely monitored and
2003058322
updated to provide the most current information available.
www.abdopub.com

23
 Index Chinese
ancestors ........................4
Chinese calendar............6,
18, 19
Lantern Festival ............20

Lion Dance ................16, 17

luck ......................8, 10, 11,

New Year
Chinese language ..........9
12, 13, 14, 16
Chinese zodiac ........18, 19
moon ................................6
debt ................................ 8
New Year’s Eve ........12, 13
Dragon Dance ..........5, 20
New Year’s Day........14, 15
firecrackers ......................11
parades ..............6, 20, 22
flowers ............................10
red............11, 12, 13, 14, 15
food ..............10, 12, 15, 22
Gung hay fat choy ........9 San Francisco ................22

Kitchen God ....................10 spring couplets................11

Lai see............................13 United States ................22

A Buddy Book
by
Julie Murray

24