Monday, January 23rd marked the Chinese New Year and the year of the dragon, more specifically, the water dragon in the Chinese calendar. According to chinese astrology, people born in the year of the dragon are said to be strong, self-assured, eccentric, intellectual and passionate. And this is not only the year for people born under the dragon, but also for people born with water as their lucky element. Astrology says that this year nothing can stop luck from coming water’s way. However, if your element is fire, you should be more cautious because fire is the opposite of water so luck will not be on your side this year. And if you want to learn more about this year’s fortune, click here.
Traditionally, the Chinese New Year celebrations last for 15 days after the new year, the first day being on a new moon and the last ending on the full moon. Each day has a special significance that varies according to local traditions leading up to a lantern festival on the last day. All festivities include dancing, ceremonies for deities and ancestors, gift exchanges, family, and feasting. The loud and colorful celebrations come from mythology based on a bloodthirsty monster named Nian that would emerge on the last night of each new year to eat people and destroy the villages. A wise elder suggested that the people scare away the monster with loud noises and lights to scare the fire away. To this day, the new year is still celebrated with loud noises and lights and fireworks.
