Happy Chinese New Year! (Feb. 16-March 9)

The Sun (thesun.co.uk); CC Liu, Crystal Quintero, Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Chinese civilization is now at least 4715 years old, when the first Chinese king ruled.

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We celebrate for two weeks, so you have time.

Happy Chinese New Year! One of the world's most colorful and exuberant events is here and is triggering celebrations across the map.
 

Unlike Western New Year festivities, which always take place at midnight between December 31 and January 1, Chinese New Year varies each year. Here's all the information.
 

When is Chinese New Year 2018?

2018 is the "Year of the Dog"

The 2018 Chinese New Year began on Friday, Feb. 16, and celebrations will last for over two weeks.

If you fancy taking a trip [to Mars on Earth] for the festivities, read this guide to China first.

 

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Chinese New Year takes place on a different date each year because it is based on the lunar calendar. New Year's Day normally falls between January 21 and February 20.

Does Chinese civilization come from Ancient Egypt? Or do both come from Mars?

How is Chinese New Year celebrated?

It's not just Chinese but all of Asia.

The global celebrations are an explosion of light and sound, involving bell ringing, lighting firecrackers [to frighten away frightening spirits], and watching traditional lion dances.
 

Chinese families gather together for a reunion dinner on New Year's Eve and clean their houses to sweep away bad fortune on New Year's Day.

• [WARNING! There are many Chinese superstitions on what to do and what to avoid at this important time of year. Clean on the right day...]

Be lucky. Be superstitious. Be faux-Chinese.

Traditionally, kids would be given red envelopes stuffed with "lucky money" and positive wishes on New Year's Day.

 

Some teens now have red envelope apps, so their relatives can transfer cash digitally.

Which animal represents 2018?

Streets of Ankang, Shaanxi Province, China

2018 is the Year of the Dog. The Chinese zodiac moves in a 12-year cycle, and those born in 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, and 2018 are also known as Dogs. This could be your lucky year!
 

According to Asian astrology, our year of birth -- and the animal this represents -- determines a lot about our personality traits.
 

Dragons are good in China like Quetzalcoatl

Although each of the 12 animals gets an outing every dozen years, there are different varieties -- and 2018 will be the first Year of the Earth Dog since 1958.
 

Anyone born in an Earth Dog year will be communicative, serious, and responsible in the workplace.

Hey, baby, what's your sign? - By which zodiac? - Chinese. - I'm a Dog, and you? - Dragon.

Let's look at the Chinese zodiac for some ancient astrology for guidance from the stars. Or not.

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Which Chinese zodiac animal am I?

Remember our sacred Buddhist traditions.

The Chinese animal zodiac or shengxiao, which means "born resembling," are arranged in a repeating cycle of 12 years.

 

The animal changes at the beginning of the Chinese New Year, and traditionally these animals were used to date the years.

 

However, Chinese New Year is a movable celebration, dictated by the lunar cycle... More

• Chinese New Year 2018 – Year of the Dog Discover the traditions and taboos, dishes, and drinks that are part of China's most important holiday, Chinese New Year or Spring Festival. 
• When is Chinese New Year in 2018? - When-Is.com Chinese New Year in 2018 is on Friday, the 16th of Feb. (2/16/18).
• Chinese New Year 2018: Year of the Dog and why to avoid... (telegraph.co.uk) With New Year comes a host of superstitions that will apparently dictate how the next 12 months will play out for each of us. 
• 2018 Chinese New Year Festival Celebration, Brown Dog Year... (chinesefortunecalendar.com)
• Chinese New Year 2018: When is it and why is it different? (express.co.uk) The Chinese New Year -- the Year of the [Brown Earth] Dog -- officially begins this year on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month of...