Chinese New Year 2012

Of course, in China, use the Gregorian calendar, and 2012 there will come exactly at the same time as everyone else. But the dates of traditional holidays in China are determined by the Chinese calendar. Refers to these holidays and the Chinese Newyear, it is also a holiday of spring. So it began to be called after the introduction of the Gregorian calendar to separate from the European New Year. In everyday life, a holiday is simply called "Nyanya" ("year").

In general, before January 1 was everywhererecognized the beginning of the new year, many people the new year came in the spring, coinciding with the awakening of nature from winter sleep. Traditionally, the New Year in China was timed to the first new moon at the end of the first lunar cycle after the winter solstice. According to the Gregorian calendar, the Chinese New Year falls between January 21 and February 21. Chinese New Year 2012, as we have already said, comes on February 23 (although to be precise, according to the Chinese calendar, it is not 2012, but 4710).

Since ancient times, New Year in China was the longest and most important holiday. Chinese New Year is celebrated not only onterritory of mainland China, but also in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, on Christmas Island, in Brunei and Indonesia - in general, where there is a significant number of Chinese population. Celebrations in honor of the New Year last two weeks (it is clear, of course, that not all these days are weekends) and end with the Lantern Festival.

Chinese New Year first of all - family holiday. Even if a person has lived alone for a long time, according toHe should spend this holiday with his parents and his family. That is why on the eve of the New Year in China, huge queues at the railway ticket offices, and tickets must be bought in advance. A festive dinner on New Year's Eve is always hearty and plentiful. The table is sure to put chicken, fish and soy cheese, because the names of these products in Chinese are consonant with words meaning "prosperity" and "happiness."

In the northern part of the country on New Year's eats dumplings. The name of the pelmeni - jiaozi - is in tune withthe phrase "seeing off old and meeting a new one". In addition, the shape of Chinese dumplings resemble traditional gold and silver bars, thus symbolizing wealth. And in the south of China, they prefer a dish called nyungao. These are pieces of glutinous rice, they symbolize the improvement of life every year.

In the Chinese New Year it is accepted to stay up all night. This tradition is called "show sui", "protectyear". On the doorpost, the Chinese paste a red paper with paired calligraphic inscriptions (wishes for the New Year). Also on the door are pasted the hieroglyph "happiness" in an inverted form, because in Chinese terms "happiness has come" and "happiness turned over" are consonant.

On the first day of the New Year, it is customary to launch fireworks and crackers, burn incense. It is believed that fireworks scare away evil spirits,and the family will attract the spirit of happiness and peace. The Chinese believe that on that day the deities visit the spirit world and "give an account" of the past year, so they welcome their return home in the evening, and then pay tribute to their ancestors.

In the first five days of the new year it is customary to meet with relatives, friends,friends, classmates, co-workers and congratulate them on the New Year. But gifts for the New Year to give is not accepted. But the children are given Chinese New Year I-sui-ch'ien - pocket money in special red envelopes. According to the ancient tradition, money should be given to every child who came to your house during the first 15 days of the new year.

Chinese New Year is a noisy holiday. For several days in a row, noisy fairs and folk festivals with dances and performances of street artists are held in the streets of the cities. And on the 15th day of the new year, in the Lantern Festival, colorful lights on the streets. As well as in New year, folklore are arrangedrepresentation. Traditional food on this day - yuanansyao (tanyuan) - cakes with a sweet filling of rice flour. In 2012, the Lantern Festival falls on 6 February.

New Year in China - a very bright and colorful holiday. So if you did not get to celebrateEuropean New Year abroad, you can quite meet the Chinese New Year 2012 in China or any other country where this holiday is celebrated on a grand scale.