"I wish you wealth and prosperity." Happy Chinese New Year! The Chinese follow a lunar calendar, celebrating their new year on the second new moon after the winter solstice. This means that Chinese New Year can fall anywhere from mid-January to mid-February. This year, we celebrate on Monday, January 26. Each Chinese year is given the name of an animal in the Chinese zodiac. There are 12 animals, and each one cycles around again every 12 years. This year, we are celebrating the year of the Ox.
Chinese legend has it that the 12 animals were gathered on a riverbank trying to decide the order of the animals for the years of the Chinese zodiac. They held a contest, and the order in which they arrived on the opposite bank would determine the order of the years. The crafty rat jumped on the back of the ox, letting him to all the work. Just before reaching the opposite bank, the rat jumped from the ox's back. Thus, the rat is the first animal in the Chinese zodiac, followed by the ox. The lazy pig came in last!This year, we are celebrating by making paper lanterns to hang in our living room.
We have also assembled treat boxes for each of Dayna's friends at daycare. They will receive a tanger
ine (for luck), a red envelope filled with chocolate coins (for prosperity), some rice cake treats and a fortune cookie. Each child will also be able to make an ox mask to take home. We're hoping that by sharing some Chinese stories and a movie, that Dayna's culture and heritage will become a bit more meaningful for herself and her friends.
Next weekend, we will celebrate with other adoptive families and get to watch the Lion Dancers. Dayna's still pretty scared of them, but they're still an awesome sight to behold!
Gung Xi Fa Cai!
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