History of the Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar. The Chinese year 4704 begins on Jan. 29, 2006.
One the eve of the New Year traditions and rituals are very carefully observed in everything from food to clothing. Dinner is usually a feast of seafood and dumplings, signifying different good wishes. Delicacies include prawns, for liveliness and happiness, dried oysters for all things good, raw fish salad to bring good luck and prosperity.
At Chinese New Year celebrations people wear red clothes and give children "lucky money" in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which drives away bad luck. The fireworks used to mark the festivities are rooted in a similar custom.
Chinese months work on the lunar calendar, each month begins on the darkest day. New Year festivities start on the first day of the month and continue until the fifteenth, when the moon is brightest.
2006 the year of the Dog
Legend has it that Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. From that day he declared that people born in each animal's year would take on the personality of that animal.
This year is the year of the Dog. Those born in dog years are loyal, kind, and generous. They will work to right wrongs and are good at keeping secrets.