Chinese New Year 2019: Year of the Pig

Happy Tuesday everyone, but more importantly, Happy Chinese New Year! Today marks the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar and the most important holiday in Chinese culture. This year is the Year of the Pig, which is thought to represent wealth, prosperity and optimism. Previous 'Years of the Pig' include 2007, 1995, 1983 and 1971. The Chinese zodiac is what determines what animal represents each new year. Along with the pig there are 11 other zodiacs; rat, ox, rabbit, tiger, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, and last year's zodiac, the dog. 

The festival lands on a different day each year due to its relationship with the lunar calendar and will last 15 days. Each lunar cycle is comprised of 60 years with each 12 year period defined as a 'small cycle', hence why there is 12 different animals. Also known as the Spring Festival, it is known to be the busiest time of the year for travel, with China's Government expecting 2.9 billion journeys to be made over the holiday period. 

In China, the color red symbolizes joyous and celebratory events and so red paper banners and lanterns are hung in homes and around the streets. People wear new clothing with at least one red item and red envelopes filled with money are gifted to young members of the family. It is tradition for a large feast to be held in the home, and for firecrackers to be set off as it is believed they ward off bad spirits, such as Nian, a half-dragon, half-lion mythical creature who is said to hate loud noises. 

If you're in NYC and looking for ways to celebrate it, on February 17th, the 12th day of the festival, the city will host its 20th annual Lunar New Year parade, beginning at 1pm in Chinatown. It's definitely worth heading along to! 

That's all for now. We hope you enjoy your 'Lunar New Year', we'll be back with you on Thursday! x