The Year of the Rooster
January 10, 2017
Lunar New Year, more commonly known as Chinese New Year, is a major holiday celebrated by Eastern Asian people all around the world. It signifies the first day of the lunar calendar, and this year, it falls on Saturday, January 28th. It is a time of fun and festivities, spent with plenty of family, relaxation, and food. Here are some facts about the holiday:
- ⅕ of the world population celebrates this holiday
- Each year is marked by an animal in the Chinese Zodiac, which follows a 12-year cycle (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig)
- Traditionally, there is a 15-day celebration leading up to the Lantern Festival
- It is celebrated in China, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, and many more countries
- Lunar New Year is all about good luck and prosperity for the new year, which people can ensure by exchanging red envelopes filled with money, eating lucky food, setting off firecrackers, and wearing red
If you are interested in celebrating the holiday, there are many events in the general Chinatown area of Chicago. There will be a kick-off celebration on January 30th at the Chicago Cultural Center, parades on February 4th and 5th, and much more! Check out more events at http://www.choosechicago.com/chinesenewyear/ and make sure to enjoy your Lunar New Year.
