Chinese New Year! Year of the Snake

Chinese New Year is here! And it is the best time of the year to celebrate the Year of the Snake!

There are a lot of ways you can celebrate Chinese New Year. First off, it's still Chinese New Year because they last 16 days beginning of when the calendar starts, in this case, its January 29th.

It's a long time, in fact, the longest ever in the year.

I'll share four fun facts and links if you want to learn more about Chinese New Year.

1. Google Arts and Culture reports that '1/5 of the world's population celebrates this every year'. Which means that's 5% of the world. They celebrate in mostly Asian countries such as, China (of course), Vietnam (Tết), Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, and other Asian Countries. 

It's also celebrated in other countries, Australia, United Kingdom, USA, and here in Canada. Where most of the Asian resides in these countries. 

2. We give out Red Envelopes with new money inside to relatives and loved ones. Traditionally, the red envelopes are given out to younger people, but they would do a traditional offering to their loved ones. They greet the older ones with sayings for good health, prosperity and fortune. Then the younger ones, pour tea as a sign of respect. Then the parents/guardians/loved ones say traditional nice greetings for the year ahead. They receive lucky money inside which they can keep for the future. 

It has to be new cash (not crumbled, ripped, etc), and the envelopes need to be new (no damage, tears, rips, the seal needs sticky) in order to usher in a new year properly.

Something like this (left): Mayor Olivia Chow was giving these to us, as a sign of good fortune.

3. Caishen (God of Fortune) is a god which you can pray if you need help with money. Incense is burned on the fifth day of the lunar month, and say traditional greetings. Here is a link you can check out to learn more about him. Caishen

It's funny, the other day, we were in this Dim Sum place, and he comes around. Lol, it's a whole spectacle full of laugher, fun and excitement.

Some ceremony follows: he comes in with lucky music playing, he holds red envelopes and spreads cheer to everyone when he comes in. 

He has a gold crown with red fluff on top, a black beard and a red clothing to symbolize good health, and good prosperity for the new year. 

(left) Here's me with him, ignore my eyes, they were shut during that time. lol

4. Lion and Dragon dances appear at this time. They are believed to give out good fortune and luck for the new year. 

The lion and dragon (and the loud drum noises) are to ward off any predators and bad negative luck. 

My cousin from Edmonton also volunteers to help with the lion dance, she covers underneath the lion and stands up, moves down, goes left and right, like an actual lion. 

Volunteers usually helps out with the traditional lion/dragon dance shows. With the dance and the drum instruments as well. 

(left) Gif of Lion dancing at the Eaton Centre.

Happy Chinese New Year!!!