The Meaning of Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year and the Spring Festival, is the most important Chinese festival of the year. This year, the festival starts on 1st February and marks a transition from the year of the Ox to the year of the Tiger. The date varies from year to year as it marks the start of the Lunar New Year, the first new moon of the lunar calendar.
With every new year comes the introduction of another Chinese Zodiac, or or Sheng Xiao (生肖), which is a 12-year cycle of animal signs and their ascribed characteristics according to the lunar calendar. The 12 zodiac animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.
How Did Chinese New Year Start?
The exact origins of the festival cannot be traced but it is estimated that Chinese New Year has been celebrated for about 3,500 years.
According to Chinese mythology, a beast called Nian once terrorised the rural lands of China on the eve of each Chinese New Year by eating livestock, crops and even people.
Until one year end, when a god in the form of an old man appeared to protect humans from Nian. The god clothed himself in a red cloak and attached red paper to the frames of villagers’ doors and windows. When Nian arrived, the god set fire to a pile of bamboo sticks. The loud crackling sound of the bamboo exploding along with the bright red colours which covered the area, scared off the beast, never to return again.
Following the legend of Nian, firecrackers are supposed to dispel bad luck, bring good fortune and scare off evil spirits. These days, people decorate their houses with red paper and set off fireworks at midnight on Chinese New Year’s Eve and in the morning to bring in good luck for the new year.
In fact, fireworks have become such a popular way of celebrating the New Year that many cities across China have imposed bans and restrictions on the use of fireworks due to environmental concerns. Fireworks were even banned in Beijing for 13 years, until public outrage brought the ban to be lifted.
What to Expect from the Year of the Tiger
This year will follow the attributes of the Tiger Zodiac. Tigers are daring, competitive and unpredictable with an undeniable charm, endless energy and a strong generous side.
However, they also tend to be irritable, authoritative, and very stubborn – always wanting to be the centre of attention and never the first to apologise!
Naturally, with these brash qualities, this year will be filled with big changes, risk-taking and adventure. People are also more likely to be showing their generous side and be filled with enthusiasm for themselves and others.
While these changes should be expected, entering a new Lunar Year also has specific implications for each zodiac sign. Find out what entering the year of the Tiger means for you.
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Tough Luck Tigers, This Might Not Be Your Year After All
While Tigers may be thinking that entering their birth year will guarantee them their best year yet, unfortunately, this is not the case. Encountering your birth sign year involves facing many setbacks and is traditionally seen as the unluckiest year for each zodiac sign. Be wary and ready for any possible crisis.
However, they should be sure to hold onto the positives in the face of such obstacles: cherish the generosity in the air and every opportunity as courage and passion might just be rewarded.
Good News for Oxen and Goats
The Ox and Goat are the luckiest zodiac signs for 2022.
The hard-working Oxen will encounter good fortune and a smooth career progression. They are also set to flourish in the love department with the chance of making a commitment or getting married being very high. However, with such prosperity comes jealousy from others. Oxen should be wary and cherish those closest to them.
Goats, who are loving and selfless, will be blessed with a year of great fortune. A flourishing career and love life lies ahead.
Things Are Looking Up for Rats
After what was likely to have been a turbulent 2021, Rats are set up for a year of happiness and joy in 2022. That being said, these witty quick-thinkers must resist the urge to be impulsive as well as control their temper as these traits are likely to affect personal relationships. To avoid this, they should go out of their way to create peace and harmony in their homelife.
It’s Bad News for the Snakes
These deep, strategizing thinkers may struggle in 2022 as they are not set for good fortune and are unlikely to thrive in the adventurous environment of the Tiger. While they may need to work comparatively harder to make achievements in 2022, they must try to step out of their comfort zone and embrace the opportunities which come their way. Their efforts will be rewarded.
A Fall from Grace for the Dragons
Despite being strong, independent figures and the most revered animal in Chinese culture, things are not looking good for Dragons in the Year of the Tiger. They may find themselves withdrawn, detached and at risk of falling into despondency. To combat this, they must work particularly hard in every walk of life and reach out to family and friends to raise their spirits and show their care.
A Great Year is in Store for Horses, Dogs and Pigs
The excitement in the air will suit the free-spirited Horses. These studious and athletic beings will see their fortunes much improved in 2022. If they manage to concentrate their energy into their career, they are destined to make great achievements and lots of money. However, they are also likely to experience emotional instability. Be sure to rein in any paranoia to prevent inflicting harm on personal relationships.
The loyal and honest Dogs will also see their luck much improved in 2022, with obstacles which once seemed unmoveable beginning to subside and make room for opportunities and growth. While in for a great year, they might not find themselves invested in their love life. Yet fret not, 2023 is likely to be much more fruitful in the love department so just try to enjoy this period of good fortune.
A Pig has a beautifully pragmatic yet pleasure-driven personality and will be blessed with luck in the coming year. On the other hand, Pigs will also face periods of instability and will have to be prepared for anything to ensure that their fortune does not waver.
A Mixed Bag for the Roosters and Rabbits
While Roosters are in for a better year, these complex creatures will face fluctuating fortunes. They can expect advancements in their career and finances, but also jealousy and difficulties in their love life. They must control their temper to prevent any damage to personal relationships.
The proud and arrogant Rabbit is also likely to experience variable luck in the Year of the Tiger. Whilst likely to flourish in terms of career and wealth, their love life may suffer. Be sure to exercise caution as we enter the Lunar New Year as there is a high risk of accidents and disasters.
Unlucky, Monkeys
These competitive pranksters are in for a turbulent year with many obstacles and difficulties. However, it is important to view these challenges as opportunities for transformation and growth. In saying that, it might be worth investing in some red underwear before the Chinese New Year begins to secure as much luck as possible, they’ll need it!
How is Chinese New Year celebrated?
In China, businesses and schools close for a few days and millions of people travel home to China to spend time with family. In preparation, people ensure that their homes are immaculately clean as when the New Year arrives, it is believed that the broom should not be touched as it may sweep the good luck for the New Year out the door. Typically, there are parades and performances across towns and cities in which people dress in traditional clothing.
On Chinese New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day, parents and grandparents tend to give their children and grandchildren red envelopes of money in return for their best wishes. These gifts wish the children good luck for the New Year. Parents and grandparents also receive red envelopes from their grown-up children as a way of sending them a safe and peaceful year.
In another bid for good fortune, people set off fireworks to scare away any evil spirits in the upcoming months. In fact, according to research, decorations and fireworks form the second most popular expenditure during the Spring Festival.
Chinese New Year Fireworks
While fortunes are already forecast before the New Year begins, a great way of warding off bad luck and encouraging good fortune is setting off fireworks to scare off the evil spirits in the upcoming months.
However, it is important to be aware of the UK government’s guidelines on the use of fireworks. According to Gov.uk: “The Law says you must not set off or throw fireworks (including sparklers) in the street or other public places.” It is also illegal to set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am with the exception of Bonfire Night, New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year. Fireworks can be set off until 1am during these celebration periods.
To ensure that the evil spirits will not intrude on the Year of the Tiger, be sure to invest in some extra loud fireworks.
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