Happy Chinese New Year!
2018 Chinese New Year falls on Feb. 16. It is the Year of the Dog according to Chinese zodiac. It is a great chance to experience the folk customs!Most employees in China have at least seven days off work, including three days' legal holiday, while students take one month absence from school. The celebration lasts for 15 days from the 1st to 15th day of the first lunar month, and in folklore it starts even earlier, from the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month.
>>Holiday Origins from Monster Nian
Originating during the Shang Dynasty (17th - 11th century BC), the festival used to be observed to fight against the monster "Nian" who liked to eat children and livestock. The monster was afraid of red color and loud sound. Therefore, people decorated their houses in red and set off firecrackers to expel it.
★★Chinese New Year Dates
When is exactly Chinese New Year• Based on the lunar calendar, the festival has no exact date and it changes each year, but it mostly falls on a day from January 21st to February 20th in Gregorian calendar. The lunar calendar also defines the 12-year repeating cycle of Chinese zodiac, and each year is named after an animal.
How long is the festival• The festival lasts for 15 days from Chinese New Year Eve to Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year.
