Chinese New Year

7:07 PM |

GONG XI FA CAI!

On January 23, 2012, our friends, the Chinese people, celebrated their most important tradition: the celebration of the "Lunar New Year" or "Spring Festival" which is more popularly known around the globe as the Chinese New Year.

Because it's their most important holiday, it is celebrated with joyous festivities, dragon dancing, red envelopes (if you know what i mean *wink*), yummy foods, and blasts! Err, literally... blasts!!!

(gifs-paradise.com)

2012: YEAR OF THE WATER DRAGON

The Chinese have always believed about signs and wonders and zodiacs and luck, hence they have 12 animals that is attributed in each zodiac:

Rat
Ox
Tiger
Rabbit
Dragon
Snake
Horse
Goat
Monkey
Rooster
Dog
Pig

In the Western Zodiac, there are also 12 divisions (time cycles), but there's a difference between the Western's and the Chinese's. The Western is divided by days while the Chinese version is divided into years, plus, aside from the cycle of 12 animals, five elements -- Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water -- are associated with them too.

(waterdragoninc.com)

        2012, according to the Chinese calendar is the Year of the Water Dragon. And also according to their Feng Shui, this year could bring many possible luck. Why? Because the Earth is 2/3 water... and our body is filled with water. Simply put, water is very important. Moreover, they believe that the Dragon's natural element is the water. The Dragon being a legendary Chinese creature.

CHINESE NEW YEAR AROUND THE WORLD

        They said that if every Chinese around the world would jump at the same time, it would cause a serious quake. Not impossible. The Chinese are all over the globe. China Towns are present in almost every country. They may be that friendly, huh?

   Here in the Philippines, our Chinese and Filipino-Chinese people are very much close to our hearts. They've been part of our everyday lives, from classmates, workmates, to local businesses, to our President. January 23rd 2012 was the first time Chinese New Year was declared a non-working holiday.

        But all across the globe, the spectacular celebration was witnessed. Shall we take a look?