Thursday, January 19, 2012

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is approaching us quickly. Most will celebrate Chinese New Years Eve on Sunday, January 22nd. The year of the Rabbit will depart. The Year of the Rabbit was to bring peace and tranquility. If you were born in the year of the Rabbit you are most likely a diplomat, you prefer to cooperate, and are said to be about good taste and refinement. Well, your year is over....

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2012 will usher in the Year of the Dragon. The Year of the Dragon will bring excitement, unpredictability, as well as intensity. If you are a Dragon you are passionate and brave, generous and foolhardy, and you are smart with a great sense of humor. The Dragon's lucky color is yellow. Dragon years can be considered years of wealth. A Dragon year might be a good year to start a business or initiate a new project. Some famous Dragons include: Al Pacino, Matt Dillon, John Lennon, and Ring Starr. Welcome the Year of the Dragon.


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In our home we have a Dragon, two Pigs (June is a Golden Pig), an Ox, a Rooster, a Tiger, and a Monkey.

It is traditional to give gifts on Chinese New Year. The most traditional gift is the "red envelope", a small envelope filled with "lucky money". The envelope symbolizes giving good fortune and the money is often used by children to buy treats.


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During the holiday families gather to say goodbye to the old and welcome the new. Many families participate in traditional activities. One might say that families, fireworks, and food take center stage. Also, many people clean house, pay debts, and get hair cuts, all symbolizing new beginnings.


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Families come together and feast during Chinese New Year. Traditional foods include: dumplings, spring rolls, and glutinous rice cakes. Our house favorites are dumplings, Lo Mein, sweet and sour chicken (what can I say I have 5 kids..who doesn't like sweet and sour:), and crab rangoon.


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Houses are decorated with paper decorations, flowers, lanterns, and oranges. The color red symbolizes power, happiness, and longevity, while gold symbolizes good fortune and wealth.


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June and I will be decorating the house today with lanterns and other items we have collected throughout the years. We will also be packaging "goodie" bags for preschool...red envelopes included. June will bring all of her treats to school on Monday and share a book about Chinese New Year with her friends.


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Our family celebration will take place on Saturday. June will help me set the table with chop sticks, red napkins, red envelopes, and special treats. The girls will dress up (hopefully being the keyword) and we will enjoy our Chinese New Year celebration.


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Gung Hay Fat Choy!




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18 comments:

Rebecca said...

Simply spectacular!

PLEASE remember me when you're a famous photographer!

Xin Nian Kuai Le! Happy Year of the Dragon!

patty said...

beautiful images, and i love all the chinese history and cultural info. seems like you are a good mama! :)

happy chinese new year!

patty@ www.findingserendipity.com

tinajo said...

Lovely and colorful pics! :-)

tiarastantrums said...

gorgeous shots! We will be celebrating here as well and remembering our year in China!

Pieni Lintu said...

So lovely, light but still colorful!

Seeing Each Day said...

Really interesting to read that information - with apt and amazing photos to match.

Daenel T. said...

Such great photographs. Love all the color.

Unknown said...

Sounds like you will have a tasty and lovely celebration. These photos are gorgeous! LOVE the lighting - WOWZA! :)

Betty Manousos said...

wow, your photos are really stunning!

you're so gifted!
thanks for sharing:)

Kim Stevens said...

I just love that you are helping June to know and remember her culture! I so enjoyed this along with all your fabulous photos!

Serendipityissweet said...

Beautiful shots! Love the color and contrast. And hooray for the Year of the Dragon ;) I hope you all have a wonderful celebration!

We usually make paper lanterns together and read about the Chinese New Year. My kiddos love it :)

Gina Kleinworth said...

Oh Tiffany- you know I love the shots. But I really love that even though I am a Dragon- you taught me some things I didn't know about being one. AND- you reminded me that I need to update my chop sticks. I have not bought new ones in a long time. The ones I have are shiny w/ pointy ends. I think I should get the rounded ended wood ones to start teaching the kids. :)

deb duty said...

I love these colorful photos! I hope you have a fun celebration!

Tricia said...

Oh, how fun! I love all the tidbits of information and your pretty, colorful photos too. I think I'm a rooster...I kind of can't remember though, since I haven't been out to eat for Chinese food in awhile and read the placemat...lol.

It looks like you got a blog makeover. It's very pretty :)

Tara said...

Oh my goodness...these are all wonderful! Love all the info and the photos are gorgeous! Happy New Year of the Dragon!

Jaymi said...

these are really creative shots! You are so good at food photography/still life type shots!

Cedar said...

These are absolutely gorgeous photos! I love all the information you gave us! We have 2 rats, an ox, a dragon, a monkey, and just yesterday we found out we will have a rabbit soon!

Linda said...

splendid images!!!!