Happy Chinese New Year!

Happy Chinese New Year, Year of the Snake!

 

 

Here are some dragons from last year. The dragon symbolizes the coming spring.



The Chinese zodiac has 12 different animals. This year is the Year of the Snake. Since the date for New Year can be in January or February, if your child was born before February 7th, he or she is a Golden Pig.  In the Chinese culture, it is believed that the Golden Year comes once every 600 years. Pig individuals are patient, sometimes shy, but fun to be around. People born during the Year of the Pig know how to enjoy life when things are going good, but also know how to roll with the punches when life gets a bit rocky. Most of the class were born after the month of February, and so were born in the year of the Rat. They are ambitious, clever and devoted to their family, hard-working and imaginative. They are not always sure of themselves and do not always plan for the future. They will always stand by their friends. No wonder we have such nice classes!


Here is a sample of a Chinese New Year card that people would send to each other. You can see the lanterns, the fireworks and the lucky red colour everywhere. The children are wearing the new clothes they receive as part of the celebrations. They might also have had a haircut!

These are dumplings which would be part of the big family dinner that everyone would eat together. They come in many shapes. These look a little like purses full of money. One of the wishes for the new year is prosperity. We had some dumplings to sample today at school.

 Here is a dragon for the Dragon Dance. On New Year's Day there will be many dragon dances for people to see. We are having a little one here, with lots of noise- makers to scare away any bad luck.

Here is another great Chinese dragon, this one on the top of  a beautiful building. Happy New Year!