Chinese New Year: The Year of the Rooster

Posted January 28, 2017 by Amanda | No Comment

Happy Chinese New Year! This lunar year welcomes the Year of the Rooster, which begins Saturday, January 28. Also known as the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, the holiday is celebrated across 15 days in many countries around the world.

At its core, the holiday is about home and family. Steeped in tradition, symbolism and superstition, Chinese New Year is an important time for families to reunite to honor their ancestors. Multiple generations and extended family members come together to celebrate the holiday.

An important component of the holiday is the family feast, which is often comprised of a variety of dishes of meats, fish and vegetables. Citrus fruits, such as oranges, are in abundance to symbolize luck and fortune in the New Year. Traditional New Year sugar candies and mooncakes are also enjoyed in hopes of a prosperous year.

A significant tradition of the holiday is the offering of food and paper money to honor deceased family members. It is believed that the items will be passed on to them in the afterlife. The paper money and other fake valuable items are burned, so your deceased family members can use them.

The color red symbolizes prosperity and good luck, so homes are often decorated red with banners, lanterns and more. Elaborate fireworks displays are also a staple of the holiday. It is believed that the noise and flash of a firework will ward off evil spirits as the new year begins. Another fun tradition is the gifting of red envelopes to children. Enclosed in these envelops is ‘lucky money’ for little children to enjoy.

This Lunar New Year marks the beginning of the Year of the Rooster. The Rooster is the tenth in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac. In addition to 2017, those born in the years 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, and 2005 all fall under the Rooster. People born in the Year of the Rooster are characterized as hardworking, observant, confident and outspoken.

Some famous Roosters include Bob Marley, Britney Spears, Jennifer Aniston, and Donny Osmond.

Do you celebrate Chinese New Year? We wish you a happy and prosperous New Year!