THE CHINESE NEW YEAR vs. THE FENG SHUI NEW YEAR

The Chinese New Year...4710.. begins on Jan. 23, 2012..!

The Chinese New Year is the longest and most important holiday in China - lasting 15 days! It's similar to Christmas .. as it's a time of gift giving and feasting with family and friends. Traditionally is a time of house cleaning and saying good-bye to things that no longer serve us, and the perfect time to welcome in a new year of PROSPERITY, HEALTH, HAPPINESS and GOOD FORTUNE.

Here are a few "traditional" things (several) Asian cultures do prior to and during the celebration days:

BEFORE NEW YEARS EVE
• Space clear and clean the house of sorrows, failures and defeats of the prior year by washing windows, carpets, cupboards and floors.
• Pay off all debts.
• Resolve differences with relatives, family members, friends, and business associates.
• Prepare 'special" dishes for New Years Eve and New Years Day.   
• Decorate the home with "live" blooming plants to symbolize rebirth and new growth.
• Display oranges and tangerines to symbolize abundant happiness.
• Add candy & dried fruit to welcome in a "sweet" year.
 
NEW YEARS EVE
• Gather with family for a "bountiful" meal and night of fun and games.
• Remember to pay respect to ancestors.
• Open doors and windows at midnight to LET GO of the old year.
• Set off firecrackers to welcome in the New Year!
 
NEW YEARS DAY -  January 23, 2012
• The Chinese believe that events that occur on New Years Day impact the rest of the year, so be mindful of your words, actions and deeds.
• Start fresh, wear new clothes and the color RED for a bright future.
• Greet & bless relatives, neighbors, and friends.
• Gift money and poems to children and unmarried people for good luck.

THE FENG SHUI NEW YEAR BEGINS FEBRUARY 4, 2012..!

Unlike the Chinese New Year, the Feng Shui New Year begins on February 4, 2012. The date is determined by the Solar calendar, not the Lunar calendar.

This year is the year of the YANG WATER DRAGON.