This week was the start of Chinese New Year.  This is the year of the Fire Horse which has significance in that it only comes around every 60 years.  It takes 60 years for the Horse sign to align precisely with the element of fire. The Fire Horse is associated with freedom, speed, energy, intensity, independence and major change.

Chinese New Year is celebrated around the world but most importantly in China where it is celebrated for 15 days, starting this year on February 17 and ending with the Lantern Festival on March 3.  It is a time when Asians will travel home to China to celebrate with family.  Traditions include cleaning homes, decorating with red lanterns, passing red envelopes, eating dinners of dumplings and fish and putting on lion and dragon dances.  Wearing red is significant because red protects against the mythical beast “Nian”.  The myth of Nian is about a huge beast who came down from the mountains to devour livestock, crops and villagers.  A wise old man found that the color red, the noise of fire crackers, fire and bright lights terrified Nian so that he no longer came down from the mountains to strike fear on them.

Wearing red during Chinese New Year symbolizes happiness, prosperity and good luck and brings positive energy.  It will also help to ward off evil spirits.

During my time living in Hong Kong my amah would return to China for the two weeks of the New Year festivities, as did many other Chinese residents who still had family in China.  At that time Hong Kong it was still a British Colony however the Lunar New Year was a major public holiday with traditional customs like lion dances and flower markets. Now it is the most important festival in Hong Kong and is celebrated with a huge firework display in Hong Harbour, a night parade in Tsim Sha Tsui and large flower markets.

Cities across USA and the world are celebrating Chinese New Year.  For example New York celebrated with vibrant festivities including a fireworks show at Sara D. Roosevelt Park and  a Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade and Festival on March 1.  Celebrations include cultural events, lion dances, family gatherings, lots of red and lots of energy.