The Chinese New Year February 10 th 2013 This year is the Year of the Water Snake

Day one The first day of the Lunar New Year is "the welcoming of the gods of the heavens and earth."

Day two The Chinese pray to their ancestors as well as to all the gods.

Days three and four The third and fourth days are for the sons- in-laws to pay respect to their parents-in- law.

Day five The fifth day is called Po Woo. On that day people stay home to welcome the God of Wealth.

Days six, seven, eight, nine and ten! On the sixth to the 10th day, the Chinese visit their relatives and friends.

Day seven The seventh day of the New Year is the day for farmers to display their produce.

Day eight On the eighth day people have another family reunion dinner, and at midnight they pray to Tian Gong, the God of Heaven.

Day nine The ninth day is to make offerings to the Jade Emperor.

Days ten, eleven and twelve These days are the ones on which friends and relatives should be invited for dinner.

Day thirteen After so much rich food, on the 13th day you should have simple rice congee and mustard greens (choi sum) to cleanse the system.

Day fourteen The 14th day should be for preparations to celebrate the Lantern Festival which is to be held on the 15th night.

01/29/1987 – 02/16/1988Rabbit 02/17/1988 – 02/05/1989Dragon 02/06/1989 – 01/26/1990Snake 01/27/1990 – 02/14/1991Horse 02/15/1991 – 02/03/1992Goat 02/04/1992 – 01/22/1993Monkey 01/23/1993 – 02/09/1994Rooster 02/10/1994 – 01/30/1995Dog 01/31/1995 – 02/18/1996Pig 02/19/1996 – 02/06/1997Rat 02/07/1997 – 01/27/1998Ox 01/28/1998 – 02/15/1999Tiger 02/16/1999 – 02/04/2000Rabbit 02/05/2000 – 01/23/2001Dragon 01/24/2001 – 02/11/2002Snake 02/12/2002 – 01/31/2003Horse 02/01/2003 – 01/21/2004Goat 01/22/2004 – 02/08/2005Monkey 02/09/2005 – 01/28/2006Rooster 01/29/2006 – 02/17/2007Dog 02/18/2007 – 02/06/2008Pig 02/07/2008 – 01/25/2009Rat What Animal Are You?