By: Grace W. 

 

Background Info

Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, has more than 4,000 years of history behind it. Celebrations have been taking place for thousands of years to usher out the old year and welcome good luck and prosperity into the New Year. Festivities often include firecrackers, fireworks, and red clothing and decorations. This holiday begins on the first of the lunar calendar with the new moon, which is Feb 12 for the year of 2021, and ends on the next full moon, Feb 26, with a lantern festival.

 

Year of the Ox

The Chinese Zodiac is a 12 year repeating cycle of animal signs. Your birth year determines your Chinese Zodiac Sign. The animal for 2021 is the Ox so if you were born in 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, or 2009 this is your year. Contrary to what you might think, if it is the year of your Zodiac symbol you might actually be facing an unlucky year. In Chinese culture, your zodiac year is seen as a hurdle you must jump through. If your Zodiac symbol is the Ox, make sure you have a strong support system of friends and family to help you get through this year.

 

Taboos

It is tradition to wear new clothes to celebrate Chinese New Year. They are thought to protect you from evil spirits. The best color to wear is red as it is viewed as a lucky color. Black and white should be avoided because they are unlucky and negative according to Chinese New Year traditions. You should also avoid saying negative words during the holiday such as “death”, “sick”, “pain”, etc. so you don’t jinx yourself and bring bad luck to your family and friends. In addition, if you are giving anyone a gift for the holiday, you will want to avoid clocks. The Chinese character for clocks is a homophone for paying one’s last respects.

 

Find out what your Chinese Zodiac sign is here https://chinesenewyear.net/zodiac/