Chinese New Year is celebrated across China and around the world. The Chinese calendar (Lunar calendar) follows the Chinese zodiac, and each year represents one of the 12 zodiac symbols. The 12 Symbols: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and the Pig.
2019 is the year of the Pig. The idea is that those born in the year of the pig will have a year of good fortune. Many Chinese and other Asian communities will be gathering around the city to celebrate. This year is supposed to represent abundance, diligence and generosity.
Jessie Shi, international student life coordinator at Fanshawe, says that Chinese new year is basically their Christmas.
Many families gather for family reunions on New Year’s Eve to celebrate the new year. This includes many traditions with food. One of the biggest traditions includes having fish as a meal on New years eve.
“Because the pronunciation of fish (in Mandarin) is the same pronunciation of surplus. Eat a dish of fish on your table and you leave it for the next day until the new year. That means you will have a surplus in the next year!” Shi said.
The celebrations continue as the new year begins.
“On new years day, people go out to greet other friends and families. They bring a red pocket with cash to give to young children. We don’t give physical gifts like you would at Christmas” said Shi.
Shi thinks it’s important to continue with these traditions regardless of being in a different country like Canada.
“It’s very importance for anybody to remember their traditions. Their country especially in Canada. We are in Canada which is an immigrant country. So we get to see celebrations of different traditions. That’s the amazing charm of Canada” Shi said.
Chinese new year is 15-day long celebration. On the 15th day, it is known as the lantern festival. This year it will land on February 15th.
