Chinese New Year

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Term Paper Title	Chinese New Year
# of Words	671
# of Pages (250 words per page double spaced)	2.68

Chinese New Year

The Chinese Lunar Calendar is a yearly calendar like the western calendar, except that the start of the lunar year is based on the cycles of the moon. Thus the beginning of the year can fall anywhere between late January and the middle of February. Western cultures date the years from the birth of Jesus Christ (For example, 1994 means 1,994 years after the birth of Christ), and thus approach the progression of years from a linear point of view. In traditional China, dating methods were cyclical, meaning t hat the years repeat according to a pattern. The repetition is in increments of twelve years.

The Chinese Lunar Calendar goes further and names one of twelve animals as a symbol for each year. A Chinese legend explains that all the animals of the world were invited to come and visit Buddha. Only twelve came. In order to reward these animals for their loyalty, Buddha named a year after each one in the order they appeared before him.

The Chinese begin preparations for the New Year during the last few days of the last lunar month. Debts are paid, hair is cut, and new clothes are purchased. Homes are thoroughly cleaned to sweep away any ill fortune and to make way for the incoming good luck. Doors and windows are decorated with paper cutouts with the themes of happiness, wealth and longevity. Incense is turned in homes and temples to pay respect to ancestors and ask the good for good health in the coming year.

On New Year’s Eve, family’s come together to feast. Popular in Northern China is jiaozi, a steamed dumpling, while in Southern China nian gao, a sweet rice pudding, is preferred. Family members engage in playing cards and board games or watching television programs dedicated to the occasion. At midnight, celebrants ring in the New Year with fireworks, intended to drive away evil spirits. Lights are to be kept on throughout the night.
On the fir...

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