The Year Of The Pig

Today is the start of the Chinese New Year. Each year, the Chinese New Year celebration falls on the date of the first new moon on the Chinese lunar calendar, which can be in late January or early to mid-February. Arrival of the New Year is an important celebration on the Chinese calendar. It’s a time for cleaning house, repaying debts, enjoying feasts, remembering ancestors, renewing family ties and distributing “laisee” packets (red envelopes that hold gifts of money) which Chinese tradition says brings luck to both giver and receiver. The new year festival lasts for at least 15 days, until Yuen Sui, or Feast of the Lantern.

The new year is also considered “everyone's birthday,” a day on which all become a year older and gift giving is prevalent. “Gong Xi Fa Cai” is a typical greeting and means “wishing you luck and prosperity.”

Legends surrounding the origins of the ancient holiday abound. One well-known story says the word “nian” (or “year”) was the name of a man-eating dragon. Nian terrorized the country until a wise man convinced the dragon to eat other beasts, then advised the people to put red decorations on windows and doors to scare away Nian, in case the dragon changed his mind. Families put up red paper decorations, set off firecrackers, and beat drums and gongs in parades to scare away Nian. Houses may be decorated with symbolic flowers, fruits and colorful pictures to welcome the new year. The color red symbolizes the celebration and gold appears as a tribute to the brilliance of Chinese culture.

The 12-year cycle in the Chinese calendar recognizes each of a dozen animals in the Chinese zodiac – rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. 2007 is the Year of the Pig. But some say this is no ordinary pig. Claims that 2007 is the "Year of the Golden Pig," which occurs every 600 years, have been made by fortune tellers but unconfirmed by folklorists. Legend has it that anyone born in the "Year of the Golden Pig" will have good fortune and lead wealthy, comfortable lives. I wonder if Mia will be born this year?

Gung Hay Fat Choy!