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Chinese New Year The first day of the Chinese lunar calendar year Also called “Spring Festival” ( 春节 ) The most important holiday in the Chinese communities Celebrated internationally as in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, etc.

Origin of the Festival Many stories… Most popular one: to scare the beast called “Nian” ( 年 ), who was very afraid of red color and fireworks Nowadays, it is all about about family reunions and wishing everyone good fortune in the coming year.

Chinese Zodiac Each year is related to an animal, in a 12-year cycle A popular story: Budda summoned all the animals for a race. The order that they completed the race determined the order of the zodiac.

5 Rat 48/60/ 72/84 Ox 49/61/ 73/85 Tiger 50/62/ 74/86 Rabbit 51/63/ 75/87 Dragon 52/64/ 76/88 Snake 53/65/ 77/89 Horse 54/66/ 78/90 Goat 43/55/ 67/79 Monkey 44/56/ 68/80 Roaster 45/57/ 69/81 Dog 46/58/ 70/82 Pig 47/59/ 71/83 What is the Chinese Zodiac of the Year You Were Born ?

Chinese New Year Traditions Decoration Entertainments Special food Traditions

Decorate: RED everywhere 春 联 Spring couplet

Decoration 门 神 God on the doors

Decoration 年画和剪纸 New Year Picture and Papercuts

Decoration 灯 笼 Lantern

Entertainments 鞭炮 firecrackers 烟花 fireworks

Entertainments 舞 龙 dragon dance 舞 狮 lion dance

It’s All about FOOD!

Food: Chinese Dumpling ( 饺子 ) Symbolizes wealth It is common to hide a coin in one of the dumplings. Whoever gets the dumpling with the coin will supposedly have good luck in the coming year.

Food: Sticky Rice Cake ( 年糕 ) Symbolize a rich and sweet life, abundance for the coming year, and family reunion

Food: Tray of Togetherness It is customary to offer guests an assortment of treats from a Tray of Togetherness - a circular or octagonal shaped tray filled with an assortment of symbolic foods to provide a sweet beginning to the New Year. The tray has eight compartments, as the Chinese consider the number eight to be extremely lucky.

Food: Whole Chicken/Noodels/Spring Rolls Whole chicken during the Chinese New Year season symbolizes family togetherness. Noodles represent a long life. Spring Rolls symbolize wealth, because their shape is similar to gold bars.

Food: Fish The word for fish, " 鱼," sounds like the words both for wish and abundance. As a result, on New Year's Eve it is customary to serve a fish at the end of the evening meal, symbolizing a wish for abundance in the coming year.

Food: Yu Sheng Chinese New Year Salad (Yu Sheng) - Also known as Lo Hei, this dish is traditionally served on the seventh day of Chinese New Year, which the Chinese celebrate as "everyone's birthday." The higher you toss the salad, the greater your luck and prosperity in the New Year!

Traditions: Red Packets ( 红包 ) Gold is a symbol of power, while red symbolizes happiness.

Traditions: Greetings Gōng xĭ fā cái 恭 喜 发 财 Best wishes for getting rich! Xīn nián kuài lè 新 年 快 乐 Happy new year!

Acknowledgment Andy, Alan, Queennie, Ning, Scott, James, Jiajun, Lan Sponsored by the Technology Department

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