CHINESE NEW YEAR

The Chinese New Year falls between January 21 and February 20 every year, and is determined by the Chinese lunar calendar, and is also known as the start of the Spring festival (春节 chūnjié /chwnn-jyeah/).

Every New Year is named after an animal in the Zodiac cycle. In 2017, it will be the year of the Rooster.

What are the 12 Animals of the Chinese Zodiac, their Attributes, and what years have they fallen on previously?

• Rat - (Wisdom) 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960 
• Ox - (Industriousness) 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961 
• Tiger - (Valor) 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962 
• Rabbit - (Caution) 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963 
• Dragon - (Strength) 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964 
• Snake - (Flexibility) 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965 
• Horse - (Forging Ahead) 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966 
• Goat - (Unity) 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967 
• Monkey - (Changeability) 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968 
• Rooster - (Being Constant) 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969 
• Dog - (Fidelity) 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970 
• Pig - (Amiability) 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971
  

What are the priorities of the New Year:

Making amends
Reconciling with people
Avoiding offence
Re-establishing old ties
Buy and wear new clothes
Give gifts (red envelopes are exchanges)
Clean house

Where is Chinese New Year celebrated with Public holidays?

China: 1.3 billion in China get three days of public holiday.
   
Indonesia: 250 million people in Indonesia get one day of public holiday.
   
Philippines: 100 million get one day of public holiday.
   
Vietnam: 90 million people get at least three days of public holidays, but the holidays sometimes extends for an entire week by taking away weekends, as in China.
   
South Korea: 50 million people get three days of public holiday.
   
Malaysia: 30 million people get two day of public holiday.
   
North Korea: 24 million people get three days of public holiday.
   
Taiwan: 24 million people get four days of public holiday generally.
   
Brunei: One day of public holiday.
   
Singapore: Two days of public holiday.
   
Hong Kong: Three days of public holidays, extending to four days if the holidays fall on a Sunday.
   
Macau: Three days of public holiday, extending to four days if the holidays fall on a Sunday.

What is a typical Chinese New Year Greeting?

The Most Popular Greetings for Rooster Year 2017

鸡年吉祥

Jínián jíxiáng

Good luck for this Rooster year

鸡年大吉

Jínián dàjí

Lots of luck for this Rooster year

Common Greetings and Sayings for the Chinese New Year

新年好

Xīnnián hǎo

Happy New Year

过年好

Guònián hǎo

Happy New Year

新年快乐

Xīnnián kuàilè

Happy New Year

新春快乐

Xīnchūn kuàilè

Happy 'New Spring'

春节快乐

Chūnjié kuàilè

Happy Spring Festival

吉祥如意

jíxiáng rúyì

Good fortune according to your wishes

年年有余

Niánnián yǒuyú

Surplus year-after-year

吉星高照

Jíxīng gāozhào

Fortune will smile on you ('lucky star high shines')

心想事成

Xīnxiǎng shì chéng

May all your wishes come true.

大吉大利

Dàjí dàlì

Lots of luck and profits


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