Wandering Zen: Lunar New Year 2019
Today on Wandering Zen we welcome in the year 4717 which begins on February 5th, 2019 and marks the first day of the new year on the Chinese calendar. Celebrated during the second new moon after the winter solstice, lunar calendars consist of 12 months, each month corresponding roughly to one cycle of the moon. They have been used by several peoples throughout history, including many Asian cultures as well as Muslims and Jews. A number of different Lunar New Year festivals are held throughout the world. Let’s prepare for the upcoming celebration with Lunar New Year 101 ~ Facts and Traditions
New Year’s Eve Dinner
Forget Thanksgiving, in many cultures, this is the most important dinner of the year. Normally, this is the family reunion dinner, especially for those with family members away from home. The menu typically consists of fish and dumplings, these two dishes signify prosperity. Other dishes are dependent on personal preference. Traditionally, this meal will be served at home instead of a restaurant.
Fireworks
Fireworks are used to drive away evil. Right after midnight on New Year’s Eve, fireworks will be launched to celebrate the coming of the New Year as well as to drive away the evil. It is believed that the person who launched the first firework of the New Year will obtain good luck.
Red Packets
Usually, the red packet is given by adults, especially married couples, and elderly to young children in the New Year days. It was believed that the money in the red packet will suppress the evil from the children, keep them healthy, and give them a long life.
Small Year
Cleaning
A few days before the New Year, people will do a complete cleaning of the house and housewares which signifies the removal of the old and welcome of the new. Historically, when bathing did not occur often, people would normally take one to welcome the New Year.
Decoration
After the cleaning, people will decorate the house to welcome the New Year. Most of the decorations are red in color. The most popular New Year decorations are lanterns, papercutting, door gods, etc.
The Lantern Festival
The Pig is the twelfth of all zodiac animals. According to one myth, the Jade Emperor said the order would be decided by the order in which they arrived at his party. The pig was late because he overslept.
In Chinese culture, pigs are the symbol of wealth. Their chubby faces and big ears are signs of fortune as well.
People born in the year of the Pig are loved for their kind, honest, helpful and forgiving nature. Pigs believe in maintaining peace and harmony and they dislike anything which causes conflict. Those born under the Pig zodiac sign are self-indulgent and enjoy the finer things in life.
Pig is one of the most likable signs out there. Pigs are honest, forgiving, good-tempered, cheerful, generous, and compassionate. They are responsible and determined and when they set a goal in life, they will devote all their energy to achieve it. They will never refuse to give those in need a helping hand, but they rarely seek help from others. They are idealists who will do anything to keep the peace and avoid conflict. They will remain committed for life to their friends and their principles, and would never do anything dishonest. Pigs are down-to-earth individuals who don’t usually show their emotions openly and this may make other people think that they are reserved or arrogant.
Pigs are naive and gullible – they never suspect trickery and therefore they are easily fooled. Their optimism and belief in the good of people can bring about their downfall. They have a soft heart and find it difficult to say “no” to someone.
The best matches for the Pig are people born in the year of the Rabbit, Sheep, and Tiger.
What Sign of the Zodiac Are You?
Each zodiac animal’s year comes around every 12 years, and each year is associated with a zodiac animal. Here is a list of the most recent zodiac sign years:
- Rat: 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008
- Ox: 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009
- Tiger: 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
- Rabbit: 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
- Dragon: 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012
- Snake: 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
- Horse: 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
- Goat: 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
- Monkey: 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
- Rooster: 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
- Dog: 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
- Pig: 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
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