Year of the Water Snake

February 10th, 2013 marked the beginning of the Year of the Water Snake.  The Chinese zodiac (生肖) is most commonly associated with twelve animals; Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.  Unlike the Western zodiac that is divided into twelve months, the Chinese zodiac cycles according to the year.  Each sign is associated with personal characteristics and may indicate what kinds of events will happen in a person's life.

In addition to the cycle of animals, there are five elements associated with the Chinese zodiac - earth, fire, metal, wood, and water.  Each animal sign has a fixed element - fire in the case of the snake - and a contrast with the yearly element may be cause for concern.  Since this year is a water year, people who follow the Chinese zodiac believe we could be in for a tumultuous 2013.

The year of the snake directly follows the year of the dragon, and is considered to be not nearly as auspicious.  The snake represents a time of change with a great flow in economic activity.  People born in the year of the snake are considered to be intellectual though not very talkative.  However, people born under a water sign love to socialize and make new friends.  Money will come in easily but may flow out just as quickly without properly evaluating decisions.

新年快乐!

Happy Chinese New Year's!  Also know as the Spring Festival (春节), Chinese New Year always falls on the first day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar.  The lunar calendar changes from year to year, so this New Year's falls on February 10th, 2013. 

The Spring Festival is the most important holiday in the China and thus a time of family reunions. In fact, the largest yearly human migration occurs during this period.  Families will get together to eat traditional dishes, such as fish, dumplings, duck, and pork, and ring in the New Year with spectacular displays of fireworks. The next morning children will receive red envelopes (红包) stuffed with money and treats from their relatives.  It is also traditional for families to sweep out their houses and deck the walls with red-colored paper cuts and Chinese sayings.  The idea is to clean out of all of the bad luck from the previous year and be ready to receive a prosperous, happy, and healthy New Year. 祝大家春节快乐！