Chinese New Year falls on Tuesday, February 1, and ends with a Lantern Festival on February 15.
I've always been a stargazer, loving anything to do with the heavens (planets & stars), and my interest extends to astrology too. Knowing that it should come as no surprise that I find the zodiacs, both western and eastern, fun too.
A most important holiday
Lunar New Year is celebrated across many cultures, including Vietnamese, Korean, Tibetan, and Mongolian, and is arguably the most important holiday for Chinese families. Japan is one of the few countries in East Asia that doesn't celebrate the Lunar New Year. In 1872, the Japanese stopped using the lunar calendar and switched to using the solar calendar and now use a modified civil calendar. While Lunar New Year is not an official holiday in Japan this doesn’t mean it goes unmarked. There is the 15-day Chinese Spring Festival in Yokohama that includes the Lion Dance, a huge Celebration Parade, and the launching of thousands of lanterns on the final day of the festival.
Chinese Lantern Festival
On the 15th day of the first lunar month, two weeks after Chinese New Year, another important traditional Chinese festival, the Chinese Lantern Festival is celebrated. It marks the first full moon of the new lunar year and the end of the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) period. Chinese Lantern Festival 2022 will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 15th.
On the night of the Chinese Lantern Festival, streets are decorated with colorful lanterns, often with riddles written on them. People eat sweet rice balls called tangyuan, watch dragon and lion dances, and set off fireworks.
Are you a Tiger?
This Chinese New Year is the Year of the Tiger. Any predictions on how many times we'll hear Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" from the Rocky III soundtrack? Or Kathy Perry's 2013 hit, "Roar?" LOL
Those born in these "tiger" years (2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, and so on) are said to be courageous and active people who love a good challenge and adventure in life. Like Gemini in the western zodiac, the Tiger is the third animal featured in its 12-sign astrology.
To learn more about this ancient celebration, visit this fun and informational website about all aspects of the Chinese New Year. Locally, the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center keeps a calendar of events throughout the year.
Comments / 0