Chinese New Year is one the biggest and longest celebrations in China. The Chinese New Year for 2012 starts on January 23, 2012. According to the Chinese calendar it is the 4710 year and will be known as the year of the dragon. The Chinese calendar works on the lunar calendar and each month begins on the darkest day. So it is not that every month starts from the 1st. The Chinese New Year celebrations start on the first day of the month and continue till the fifteenth day of the month, when the moon is the brightest. It is one of the biggest festivals of China and the preparations start much before the start day.
Chinese New Year and Animal Signs
The Chinese years are named after different animals. The legend goes that in ancient times Buddha asked animals to meet on the Chinese New Year and twelve animals came and he named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal’s year would have the personality traits of that animal. The twelve animal signs according to Chinese are:
| Rat |
Cow |
Tiger |
| Rabbit |
Dragon |
Snake |
| Horse |
Sheep |
Monkey |
| Chicken |
Dog |
Pig |
Chinese New Year Celebrations
The Chinese New Year is celebrated with people wearing new clothes, decorating their houses with red color paper and giving children lucky money in red envelopes. The red color has a very important significance for the Chinese people. The red color represents power happiness and vitality. The red color is also a symbol of fire and according to legends, drives away bad luck. Other than this the Chinese New Year celebrations also have extensive use of fireworks. In the olden days the Chinese used to lit bamboo stalks believing that the flames would frighten away the evil spirits.
The Chinese Lantern Festival
The Chinese New Year time is the period for family reunions as all family members go to each other’s house and share meals mainly as a feast on the New Year’s Eve. The end of the Chinese New Year celebrations is marked with the lantern festival on the fifteenth day of the month. Some of the lanterns are decorated with different pictures of birds, animals, flowers, zodiac signs and various scenes legends and history. People hang the glowing lanterns in temples and even carry them to an evening parade under the light of the full moon. In many parts of China the lantern festival also has the dragon dance adding to the gay festive mood. The dragon is typically made of silk, paper and bamboo and stretches to nearly 100 feet in length. The dragon is generally carried by young men, who dance their way through the crowd, carrying the dragon on their shoulders.
Chinese New Year of Dragon
2012 is the Chinese New Year of the dragon. 2012 is going to be the year of strength according to Chinese mythology with the representation by the Dragon. In Chinese culture, dragon is considered very auspicious and is known to bring happiness, wealth and longevity to all. The Chinese New Year 2012 starts on 23rd January. According to Chinese horoscope people who are dragons are known to be free spirits. You can never tie them down with rules and regulations. They are always budding with fresh ideas and enthusiasm. Hence, 2012 will be a year with a lot of new beginnings and hopes.
Compatibility between Dragon and Other Zodiac Signs
Dragon - Rat
They are quite compatible with each other and take complete pride in each other.
Dragon – Ox
There is hardly any understanding between the two of them. Not at all compatible with each other.
Dragon – Tiger
Both share lot of thrilling moments with each other. In a decent way, they can get along with each other.
Dragon – Rabbit
Both these signs can’t understand each other’s point of view. They conflict each other rather than complimenting.
Dragon – Dragon
They are quite compatible with each other and understand and care for each other.
Dragon – Snake
They have strong compatibility, however there can be problems once in a while.
Dragon – Horse
Both of them have very different attitudes and can’t get along with each other.
Dragon – Sheep
Sheep is too delicate to handle the sharpness and free spirited nature of dragon.
Dragon – Monkey
This is a good pair and can live a mutually satisfying life.
Dragon – Rooster
They are compatible with each other; however there can be a few temperamental clashes between the two of them.
Dragon – Dog
If you put these two signs together, there are sure to be problems coming up.
Dragon – Pig
They can only get along if they put a lot of hard work in their relationship.
