CNY 2008 Chinese New Year

CNY 2008 will be the year of the 鼠 Rat. Chinese New Year or some call it the Spring Festival, is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. On the days before the New Year celebration, most Chinese families give their home a thorough cleaning - also known as Spring Cleaning. It is believed the cleaning sweeps away the bad luck of the preceding year and makes their homes ready for good luck. Some people give their homes, doors and window-panes a new coat of red paint. Homes are often decorated with paper cutouts of Chinese auspicious phrases and couplets.

During these 15 days (7, 8 to 22 Feb 2008) of the Chinese New Year one will see... New clothings are usually worn to signify a new year. The colour red is liberally used in all decorations. At times, gold is the accompanying colour for reasons that are already obvious. One best and common example is the red diamond-shaped posters with the character 福 "fook or in pinyin: fu", which are displayed around the house and on doors. This sign is usually seen hanging upside down, since the Chinese word 倒 (pinyin: dǎo), or "upside down", sounds similar as 到 (pinyin: dào), or "arrive". Therefore, it symbolizes the arrival of luck, happiness, and prosperity. Red packets (Ang Pow) are given to juniors and children by the married and elders. See Symbolism below for more explanation.

This is the only time of the year the Shopping Malls around the island will close for the day.

6 February 2008 Pre CNY

Most office will close half day at around 12pm as staff heads home for Reunion dinner. The biggest event of any Chinese New Year´s Eve is the dinner every family will have. A dish consisting of fish will appear on the tables of Chinese families. It is for display for the New Year´s Eve dinner. In northern China, it is also customary to have dumplings for this dinner. Dumplings symbolize wealth because their shape is like a Chinese gold nugget. This is comparable to Christmas dinner in the West, except with much more food.

7 February 2008 - First Day of CNY

7 February 2008 will be the first day of Chinese New Year. On this day, it is customary to have brooms and dust pans put away on so that luck cannot be swept away. Many Chinese, especially Buddhists, abstain from meat consumption on the first day because it is believed that this will ensure longevity for them. Some consider lighting fires to be bad luck on New Year´s Day, so all food to be consumed is cooked the day before. Most importantly, the first day of Chinese New Year is a time when families visit the oldest and most senior members of their extended family, usually their parents, grandparents or great-grandparents.

8 February 2008 - Second Day of CNY

8 Feb 2008 (8-2-8 or 2-8-8) the second day of the Chinese New Year Holiday. On the second day, the Chinese pray to their ancestors as well as to all the gods. They are extra kind to dogs and feed them well as it is believed that the second day is the birthday of all dogs.