16 February 2018 This year, according to the Chinese calendar, the Year of the Earth Dog will begin. Preparations for this holiday have been underway for some time. Chinese people from all over the world are returning to China for the New Year. If you're looking to do something in China during Chinese New Year, you might want to consider rescheduling your trip. Airports are packed, and tickets are significantly more expensive than at any other time of year. The Chinese are very family-oriented and need to return home for the holiday, and many travel throughout the country during this time. It's worth remembering that shops and businesses are closed.

Time for some pre-Christmas cleaning!

Preparations begin at the end of the old year with… cleaning! A major family cleanup is held to expel evil spirits that have chosen to inhabit the home throughout the year. During this time, the Chinese eat a traditional rice soup called laba.
On the 23rd day of the last month of the old year, the household members bid a solemn farewell to the Kitchen God, who is on his way to report to the Jade Emperor. He informs the most important deity of the household's good and bad deeds. In the evening, the Chinese prepare a sweet supper and smear the Kitchen God's mouth with honey. Why? They want to silence him so he doesn't tell the Emperor about his misdeeds. The next day, the Chinese go on a major shopping spree, also stocking up on gifts. After all the shopping and cleaning is finished, New Year's Day pictures—nianhua—are hung above the doors of the houses. It is also considered good manners to repay debts before the festivities begin.

Chinese New Year

The most important day of the Chinese New Year celebration is its eve. Unlike Europeans, the Chinese spend this day with their families. The celebration begins with preparing a New Year's dinner together, during which they eat jiaozi dumplings, symbolizing unity, and fish, symbolizing hope for a happy new year.
After a family supper, entire families make offerings on the altars of their ancestors, and as darkness falls, they go out into the streets, where fireworks displays take place. After the displays end, the Chinese return to their homes, where they spend time with their families and play games.
Early in the morning, the householder removes the New Year's pictures and, together with his family, offers offerings to the ancestors. On Chinese New Year Day, numerous parades, accompanied by fireworks and boisterous music, crisscross the city streets. The highlight of the celebrations is the dragon procession, during which a dozen or so people carry a dragon's image through the city streets.

What do the Chinese eat during Chinese New Year?

Primarily dumplings! They bring good luck and wealth, as their shape resembles the Chinese currency – boat-shaped gold bars. Of course, according to tradition, the more you eat, the more luck and money you will have in the new year. Additionally, a coin is hidden inside one of the dumplings. Whoever finds it will have double the luck. The second traditional dish for Chinese New Year is cake. Nian Gao, which is made from glutinous rice. It symbolizes rising above one's achievements and pushing one's limits.
Additionally, the Chinese eat fish, which is a symbol of wealth, surplus, and abundance. It is eaten whole, with the head and tail. It is very important not to turn the fish over, as this will reverse the luck. The second course is chicken, which must be served whole because it symbolizes a complete family. The dish is wrapped in cabbage leaves because its name sounds similar to "growing fortune." The noodles symbolize long life, and must be eaten whole. Cutting them means shortening one's life.

Where did the traditional Lion Dance come from?

The celebration of Chinese New Year is rooted in numerous legends. Where did this holiday originate? Guo nian, meaning the new year, in addition to celebrating the new year, also means surviving a beast's attack. The Nian is a beast that appears in Chinese villages during the new year. It then spreads terror, destroys villages, and devours their inhabitants. One legend says that when Nian appeared on Earth, a tiger and a leopard tried to defeat him but failed. The beast was defeated by a lion, which bit him and chased him away. Nian returned a year later, when the lion was gone, but wise villagers decided to disguise themselves as him and chase the creature away. Since then, the traditional lion dance has been performed. People also chase Nian away with fire, the noise of fireworks, and the color red—New Year's Day images hung above doors.

After two weeks, we are finishing the celebrations…

The Chinese New Year celebrations end two weeks later in Lantern Festival – Shang YuanOn this day, the streets are decorated with various lanterns, and colorful parades and dances take place in the cities, while the Chinese eat rice balls with sweet filling.

Where did the Chinese zodiac signs come from?

The Jade Emperor wanted to see the most interesting animals on Earth. He doesn't appear on Earth, so 12 selected animals were brought before him. These were the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. From these animals came the names of years, months, days, and hours used by the Chinese.
In 2018, we will celebrate the Year of the Dog. It represents a time of friendship, strengthening bonds between people, and cooperation. If you are in conflict with someone, many of them can be resolved during the Year of the Dog. What will success in Chinese New Year depend on? Primarily, communication and honesty. This will be a good year for selfless and hard-working people, as well as for anyone who wants to make changes in their lives.

What are people born in the year of the dog like?

Above all, they are honest, loyal, and kind. They are always willing to help and put others first. People born in the Year of the Dog are communicative, responsible, and resourceful. They love learning new things and are conscientious and fair. People born under this sign include Aneta Zając, Katarzyna Cichopek, Paweł Deląg, Hanna Lis, and Katarzyna Skrzynecka. Do you know anyone born this year?