Friday, February 04, 2005
Chinese New Year
Next Wednesday 9 February 2005 is the Chinese New Year. This is the most significant festival for ethnic Chinese around the world. It is a very joyous occasion when people take a break from work to be with their families.
The origin of the Chinese New Year Festival can be traced back thousands of years. It was said that once upon a time, there was a ferocious beast called Nian. Nian would come out of the forest every year to kill and devour people on New Year's Eve. The people then discovered that Nian was afraid of fire and red colour. So to keep Nian away, the villagers pasted red-papers doors, lit up torches and hit on drums whole night to make loud noises. On the following morning, the people congratulated each other for surviving the Nian attack. Time has passed, but the legend remains.
Each Chinese New Year is symbolised by an animal. There are a total of 12 animal symbols. This coming new year, the lucky animal symbol is the Rooster.
May the crow of the Rooster bring calm to the troubled, hope for the desperate, and enhance aspirations of all.
The origin of the Chinese New Year Festival can be traced back thousands of years. It was said that once upon a time, there was a ferocious beast called Nian. Nian would come out of the forest every year to kill and devour people on New Year's Eve. The people then discovered that Nian was afraid of fire and red colour. So to keep Nian away, the villagers pasted red-papers doors, lit up torches and hit on drums whole night to make loud noises. On the following morning, the people congratulated each other for surviving the Nian attack. Time has passed, but the legend remains.
Each Chinese New Year is symbolised by an animal. There are a total of 12 animal symbols. This coming new year, the lucky animal symbol is the Rooster.
May the crow of the Rooster bring calm to the troubled, hope for the desperate, and enhance aspirations of all.
