Happy Chinese New Year! This year marks the Year of the Monkey. Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is the most important traditional festival celebrated in China, and it has become an experience for those around the world.
The Chinese New Year is based on the Chinese lunar calendar. It may seem complicated, but it basically counts the moon cycles from one spring to the next.
The Chinese New Year is a festival for family. The celebration lasts more than just a day; it's a week-long official public holiday in China. The week is dedicated to celebrating a year of hard work, rest, relaxation and reunion dinners with family. It's also tradition to wish for a lucky and prosperous coming year.
On top of all the good luck wishes and family time, the Chinese know how to throw a good party. The main traditional celebrations include public festivals with firecrackers, food and dragon dancing. It's very common for streets to be filled with red décor and bright lights.
The party doesn't just stop in China. This week is filled with local Chinese New Year celebrations in California. Today, Disney California Adventure kicks of the Lunar New Year with cultural Chinese activities, and children can look forward to photo ops with Mulan and Mushu. California Adventure isn't the only amusement park joining in on the fun. Universal Studios Hollywood will have its own Lunar New Year Celebration, with a roving Megatron character who can speak to guests in both English and Mandarin.
According to the Chinese 12-year animal zodiac cycle, 2016 is the Year of the Monkey. The Year of the Monkey occurs every 12 years. Other Monkey years include 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004… and so on and so forth. You do the math. Although 2016 is the Year of the Monkey, some people believe this year is the most unlucky for people born in one of the Monkey years. Imagine that!
People born during the Year of the Monkey are generally thought to be smart, clever and intelligent, but things change during the year of the "Fire Monkey." In Chinese astrology, each year is associated with a Chinese zodiac animal sign and one of the five elements: metal, water, wood, fire or earth. It's a common belief by the Chinese people that both the sign and element of your birth affect your destiny and personality. The character of the Fire Monkey is said to be ambitious and adventurous, but very irritable at times.
Whether you were born in the year of the Monkey or not, this Saturday Los Angeles will celebrate one of its oldest Chinese New Year traditions. Chinatown will host the 117th annual Golden Dragon Parade and Chinese New Year Festival for free to the public. How will you bring in the Chinese New Year?
Contact contributor Tiaira Muhammad here.
Annenberg Media