Happy Chinese New Year! 恭禧發財!

The Spring Festival or Chinese New Year is coming up on February 19th this year.  Each year there is a different member of the Chinese Zodiac that represents the year. There are twelve animals that are recognized in the Zodiac.  Last year, 2014, was the year of the horse.  This year, 2015, is the year of the sheep.  Next year, 2016, will be the year of the monkey.  The sheep is a symbol of cleverness, kindness, and tenderness.

Many people wonder why it is not on the first of January like many new year celebrations, it is because in China they also use the lunar calendar.  Throughout China's history, the lunar calendar had been used and is still used today.  The Gregorian calendar (the calendar the USA is accustomed to) was only adopted in China around 1949. 

Traditionally colors have been very important in many celebrations no matter the culture, China is no different.  In China, red and gold are very important in many celebrations because they have special meaning behind them.  Red represents prosperity, good luck, happiness, beauty, and even joy.  Gold or yellow is not only represents royalty but it also means wealth, happiness, and good luck.  These two colors are very common in many celebrations like weddings but they are also part of the new year celebration.

The Chinese lantern originates from the  Western Han Dynasty more than 1800 years ago.  During the annual Lantern Festival, people would hang lanterns that were red.  These red lanterns signifies reunion and builds a joyful atmosphere.  These red lanterns are hung up for many festivals and celebrations in China and have become very symbolic.

The cover of the greeting card.

Greeting cards are a nice way to send good wishes to friends and family.  In the USA, you can find many cards for this celebration.  I was able to find one to send to Yu and his family.  I am so happy to be able to send my soon to be in-laws best wishes for the new year as well as my fiance, Yu!

The card I was able to pick up was from Hallmark.  They have a nice selection of greeting cards with many different sayings.  I picked up a red card that has the sheep image on it.  On the top right corner there is Chinese with the translation of, "Auspiciousness and good luck."  The bottom left Chinese has the translation of, "Wishing you success and a bright future."

The inside of the greeting card.

Inside the card has a wonderful design and more Chinese.  The translation of the inside says, "Auspiciousness will come with discarding the Year of the Horse and ringing in the Year of the Sheep. Wishing you and your family good luck and a very happy New Year."

People do not only give people greeting cards to wish people well for the new year, they give special gifts.  These gifts are presented in red envelopes or packets called  hóngbāo ( 红包 ) in Mandarin Chinese.  These envelopes are traditionally filled with money to be given to children from parents, grandparents, and others.  These children can even be unmarried young adults as well. The amount of money giving depends on the use and the luck linked with the amount of money given.  These envelopes are also used in many other celebrations such as weddings, birth of babies,  and other occasions.  Asking when it is appropriate is very important to follow the customs of the people with whom you are staying, living, or visiting with. I would also suggest to check to see if there is an event that these would be appropriate too.

Red envelopes called hóngbāo.

I found these hóngbāo at Hallmark again in the same area as all of the Chinese New Year greeting cards.  There are many designs and sizes.  The design on these indicate favored by fortune, happiness, and good luck.   The Chinese on the front is translated as, "Everything goes well!"   If you have trouble finding such envelopes, you special order them from an online dealer or you can make them.  I love crafting and find the idea of making my own to be rather fun.

Happy Chinese New Year!