Chinese New Year

除夕和新年
Story Behind Lunar New Year
Celebration
• Thousands of years ago, that
was ravaged by an evil monster
one winter's eve. The following
year the monster returned and
again ravaged the village. Before
it could happen a third time, the
villagers devised a plan to scare
the monster away. Red banners
were hung everywhere; the color
red has long been believed to
protect against evil. Firecrackers,
drums and gongs were used to
create loud noises to scare the
beast away. The plan worked and
the celebration lasted several
days during which people visited
with each other, exchanged gifts,
danced and ate tasty food.
 Chinese New Year
• Chinese New Year
starts with the New
Moon on the first day of
the lunar new year and
ends on the full moon
15 days later. It is
celebrated by Chinese
communities across the
globe
 Chinese Zodiac
• According to Chinese legend, the twelve
animals quarreled one day as to who was to
head the cycle of years. The gods were asked
to decide and they held a contest: whoever
was to reach the opposite bank of the river
would be first, and the rest of the animals
would receive their years according to their
finish.
• All the twelve animals gathered at the river
bank and jumped in. Unknown to the ox, the
rat had jumped upon his back. As the ox was
about to jump ashore, the rat jumped off the
ox's back, and won the race. The pig, who
was very lazy, ended up last. That is why the
rat is the first year of the animal cycle, the ox
second, and the pig last.
 Rat
• You are imaginative,
charming and truly
generous to the person
you love
• 1948, 1960, 1972,
1984, 1996, 2008
 Ox
• A born leader, you inspire
confidence from all
around you. You are
conservative, methodical
and good with your hands
• 1949, 1961, 1973,
1985, 1997, 2009
 Tiger
• You are sensitive,
emotional and capable
of great love
• 1950, 1962, 1974,
1986, 1998, 2010
 Rabbit
• You are the kind of
person that people like
to be around-
affectionate, obliging,
always pleasant
• 1951, 1963, 1975,
1987, 1999, 2011
 Dragon
• Full of vitality and
enthusiasm, the
Dragon is a popular
individual even with
the reputation of being
foolhardy and a "big
mouth" at times
• 1952, 1964, 1976,
1988, 2000, 2012
 Snake
• Rich in wisdom and
charm, you are
romantic, deep
thinking and your
intuition guides you
strongly
• 1953, 1965, 1977,
1989, 2001, 2013
 Horse
• Your capacity for hard
work is amazing. You
are your own person-
very independent
• 1954, 1966, 1978,
1990, 2002, 2014
 Goat
• Except for the knack
of always getting off
on the wrong foot with
people, the Sheep can
be charming company
• 1955, 1967, 1979,
1991, 2003, 2015
 Monkey
• You are very intelligent
and have clever wits
because of your
extraordinary nature and
magnetic personality you
are always well-liked
• 1956, 1968, 1980,
1992, 2004, 2016
 Rooster
• The Rooster is a hard
worker; shrewd and
definite in decision
making often speaking
his mind
• 1957, 1969, 1981,
1993, 2005, 2017
 Dog
• The Dog will never let
you down. Born
under this sign you are
honest and faithful to
those you love.
• 1958, 1970, 1982,
1994, 2006, 2018
 Pig
• You are a splendid
companion -- an
intellectual with a very
strong need to set
difficult goals and
carry them out
• 1959, 1971, 1983,
1995, 2007, 2019
 Spring Usually the cleaning
and preparation
Cleaning starts a month before
the new year. The
preparation includes
thoroughly cleaning
and decorating the
house, buying new
clothes, and
preparing enough
foods for at least two
weeks.
Prior to New Year's Day, Chinese
families decorate their living rooms
with vases of pretty blossoms,
platters of oranges and tangerines and
a candy tray with eight varieties of
dried sweet fruit. On walls and doors
are poetic couplets, happy wishes
written on red paper.
Typical house decoration
in traditional China
Festive couplets
(春联 Chun lian)

福到 （Fu Dao）
Nian Hua (年画)
Nian Hua (年画)
Nian Hua (年画)
 莲（连）年有鱼（余）
Surplus Through the Years
 Gong Xi Fai Chai
(Wishing You Prosperity
and Wealth)
Paper Cuts
 Food Decorations
• There are many objects that
symbolize good fortune.
• Candied melon - growth and
good health
• Red melon seed - dyed red to
symbolize joy, happiness, truth
and sincerity
• Lychee nut - strong family
relationships
• Cumquat - prosperity (gold)
• Coconut - togetherness
• Peanuts - long life
• Longnan - many good sons
• Lotus seed - many children
 Flowers
• Flowers symbolize
rebirth and new
growth. Without them
there will be no
formation of fruit.
Therefore it is
essential to have some
in every household.
New year eve dinner
• Dumplings (饺子 Jiao zi)
• Sweet Rice Pudding (年糕 -
nian gao)
• Steamed-bread (馒头 man tou)
• Whole Fish (鱼 Yu)
• Others
 Dumplings
(饺子 Jiao zi）
Sweet Rice Pudding
(年糕 Nian gao)
 Steamed-bread
(馒头 man tou)
What Does a typical Re-union
Dinner Look Like?
Chinese new year on
postage stamp
What we do after dinner
• Cards and board games
• Fireworks (Not in Singapore)
• Watching television shows
• Visit temples & offer prayers
• Lights on all night!
Fire Crackers
New year eve variety show
Yearly cultural show
Dragon Dance
• Hong bao
symbolizes luck and
good fortune. The
red stands for fire to
ward off evil, and
the money inside
represents good
luck money.
• This is a
traditional hong
bao. The top
character means
‘Hapiness,’ the
other four mean
‘Your every
wishes will be
granted.’
• This hong bao has
fish in the
background. The
characters mean
that ‘you will have
abundance (of
things) every year.’
Custom
• Hong bao are given
to younger
generations by
elderly family,
relatives,
neighbours, or
friends.
New Year Greetings

Lunar New Year is also the time for

socializing. People usually wear new
clothes and go out to visit and greet
their relatives and friends, so the
streets are filled with a lot of cheerful
people. The greeting and visiting can go
on for 15 days, and some may be up to
one whole month
Happy Lunar New Year