Today in the classroom we observed Chinese New Year through listening to chinese music, decorating the background with Chinese dragons and fireworks and making chinese lanterns.
Chinese New Year also known as 'The Lunar New Year' occurs on the 5th February every year and lasts for 15 days in most countries. Chinese New Year is often celebrated with people getting together, dragon dances, gift exchanging and fireworks. Lanterns are particularly significant during this period as they are often lit and allowed to float into the sky on the 15th day.
The purpose of Chinese New year is to honour ancestors through performing traditional ceremonies. It is hoped that through these ceremonies good luck , wealth, prosperity and fortune will occur during the year.
Traditional 'auspicious' food is eaten , including dumplings , fish and noodles.
The Chinese calendar is roughly a month behing the Gregorian calendar and each year is represented by an animal, the 12 Chinese zodiac animals are: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. This year is the year of the Pig.
'Gong Xi Fa Cai'
'Have a prosperous new year'
