China is known for its rich and diverse culture. Perhaps almost everyone has seen the Chinese dragon dance whenever an important event takes place in China or other parts of the world. The Chinese also have a lot of traditions, especially when celebrating Chinese New Year.
Unlike the rest of the world, their new year doesn’t happen on the 1st day of January. According to the Chinese Fortune Calendar, the Chinese new year day is always between January 20 to February 20 of the Gregorian calendar each year.
The preparation to celebrate the Chinese New Year festival begins around the 8th day of 12th lunar month. The last day of the Chinese New Year festival is on the 15th day of first lunar month. That means it is required about three weeks to prepare the festival and 15 days to celebrate it.”
There are numerous activities lined-up during Chinese New Year. These are prepared and performed according to tradition.
The Chinese Fortune Calendar further explains, “Traditionally, a Chinese man works outside for living and his wife takes care everything inside home. A month is not long enough for a housewife to clean entire house, put new interior and exterior decoration, prepare new clothes and gifts for all family members, and food for many events.
You can image that Chinese New Year festival combines Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year Day together.” This is the main reason why festivities such as the Chinese New Year are lavish. Often, there is no time to dilly dally or even spend time playing a card game or mahjong.
Many are unaware what the Chinese dragon actually represents. The symbolic creature characterizes favorable powers over hurricane, floods, and rainfall. The majestic dragon also signals good luck and strength—which many would always wish for in the game of life and on the year ahead.
Image courtesy of l2f1 via Flickr.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
