Happy and Prosperous Chinese New Year of the Dragon

22:26 | Labels: chinese new year, singapore

Chinese New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. In China, it is known as "Spring Festival,". It marks the end of the winter season, analogous to the Western carnival. The festival begins on the first day of the first month (Chinese: 正月; pinyin: Zhēngyuè) in the traditional Chinese calendar and ends with Lantern Festival which is on the 15th day. Chinese New Year's Eve, a day where Chinese families gather for their annual reunion dinner, is known as Chúxī (除夕) or "Eve of the Passing Year." Because the Chinese calendar is lunisolar, the Chinese New Year is often referred to as the "Lunar New Year".

Chinese New Year is not only celebrated in Singapore, but are also in countries with number of Chinese populations, eq: Mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines , Taiwan, Thailand, many others

Chinese New Year is the longest and most important festivity in the Chinese calendar. Some countries like China and Taiwan has its holiday for a whole week. Hong Kong has 3 days, Singapore, Malaysia and Korea has 2 days, and Indonesia has 1 day of holiday

The most common greetings and sayings consist of four characters:
    * 金玉滿堂Jīnyùmǎntáng - "May your wealth [gold and jade] come to fill a hall"
    * 大展鴻圖Dàzhǎnhóngtú - "May you realize your ambitions"
    * 迎春接福Yíngchúnjiēfú - "Greet the New Year and encounter happiness"
    * 萬事如意Wànshìrúyì - "May all your wishes be fulfilled"
    * 吉慶有餘Jíqìngyǒuyú - "May your happiness be without limit"
    * 竹報平安Zhúbàopíng'ān - "May you hear [in a letter] that all is well"
    * 一本萬利Yīběnwànlì = "May a small investment bring ten-thousandfold profits"
    * 福壽雙全Fúshòushuāngquán - "May your happiness and longevity be complete"
    * 招財進寶Zhāocáijìnbǎo - "When wealth is acquired, precious objects follow"

GONG XI FA CAI…Wishing all a Happy and Prosperous Lunar New Year!