Kung Hei Fat Choi!
Or Happy New Year!
January 31st welcomes in the Chinese New Year and this year it is the year of the Horse (the Wood Horse or Green Jade Horse). The New Year celebration starts with the new moon and ends with the full moon 15 days later and this is commemorated with the Lantern Festival during which Chinese lanterns with wishes painted on them are let loose into the skies.
The cycle of 12 animal signs originates from Chinese tradition as a way of naming years. The animals follow an order and are repeated every 12 years. They are made up of the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig and each has its own characteristics which are symbolic for those born under that sign.
Over 60% of the world’s population will be celebrating Chinese New Year and although traditions and customs differ across China and in the rest of the world where celebrations will be taking place, many are shared.
Traditionally preparing for the New Year sees much cleaning of the home taking place, although one should always sweep and empty rubbish from the back door as the front door may mean sweeping away good fortune or a family member! All cleaning must stop on New Years Day and rubbish must not be thrown out until the 5th day. On the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve every door and window should be opened to allow the old year to leave and welcome in the New Year.
Supper on New Year’s Eve is a family feast and commemorates the ancestors, ending with firecrackers. Don’t cut your noodles as you could be cutting through your long life. The first person one meets in the New Year and the first words heard are symbolic for the year ahead. It is particularly lucky to see and hear songbirds, red coloured birds or swallows. Don’t wash your hair on New Year’s Day as you may wash away your good fortune and don’t use scissors and knives – you may be cutting your good fortune in pieces! And avoid crying. Crying on New Year’s Day brings tears all year!
Red is a colour of good luck and fortune and is often worn at this time. Doors and windows can be decorated with red paper and money is given in red envelopes.
This year of the Horse promises to be a great year for communication, heroism and athleticism with a more optimistic mood than last. It will be fast paced and potentially fiery! Things to watch out for health wise are sudden sports injuries, headaches, migraines and general tension and managing feelings of irritation, frustration and anger. But on the positive side it is a year in which we will find it easier to forgive.
Those born in the year of the Horse (previous Horse years are 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990 and 2002) can expect a year of good finances, great energy and potentially romance. Those born in a Horse year are characterised by their good communication, cleverness and kindness and are thought to be cheerful, perceptive, talented but stubborn. They are popular with others but do not like to be tamed! They can be independent and hot-blooded with fiery temperaments and are not always good with money. Horse people should carry a sheep or goat charm with them for luck this year.