Chinese New Year 2010: The Year of the Tiger
On February 15, 2010, the Chinese New Year celebrations will begin and will last 15 days! This is the most important holiday on the Chinese calendar. The Chinese calendar differs from the Western calendar because it is based on the lunar year and follows a 12-year cycle. So, the date of Chinese New Year changes every year. The 12-year pattern aligns with the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac. There are many legends that explain the creation of the Chinese Zodiac. The most common and popular legend explains that the Jade Emperor invited all the animals to participate in a race. The first twelve to cross the swift river and arrive at the finish would win a coveted position in the Chinese Zodiac. Each animal was awarded a position based when they arrived at the finish line and it is from this race that the traits of each animal in the Chinese Zodiac are derived.
What Does Tiger Symbolize?
Tiger, the third sign in the Chinese Zodiac, is a ubiquitous symbol in Chinese culture. Native to Asia, tigers are regarded as the ruler of all beasts and are a beloved symbol of power and strength. In Chinese myth, tigers usually depict warfare and many poses in
Chinese martial arts are based on the tiger.
If you are born in the Year of the Tiger, many believe that you will have the traits of your animal. For example, as a Tiger you are likely to be a natural leader, brave, competitive, stubborn and fierce when it comes to defending honor.
Some famous tigers include Bill Murray, Jay Leno, Jim Carrey, Jodie Foster, Leonardo DiCaprio, Marilyn Monroe, Penelope Cruz, Queen Elizabeth II, Tom Cruise, Wesley Snipes, and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham.
Preparing for Chinese New Year
Preparations for Chinese New Year begin well in advance. The house is swept clean and is thought to rid the dwelling of any lingering bad luck prior to celebrating the New Year. Sometimes houses or at the very least doors and windowsills are even given a new coat of red paint, red being a symbol of good luck. This is also the time of year to clean out your closets, buy new clothes and get a hair cut! All of these are thought to prepare you for a fresh start in the new year.
Houses are then decorated with paper cuts Chinese couplets displayed on two long posters or scrolls. The couplets show Chinese characters in elegant calligraphy on each and typically speak of luck and happiness. Couplets are usually hung on either side of the front door.
Once your preparations are complete you are ready to celebrate! To learn more, please read “Celebrating Chinese New Year”.
Happy New Year!
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Back to school
September means back to school! This is the end of the holidays. Don't feel sad, Hellokids provides you an entertaining choice of school coloring pages you can print and color with your new felt-tips or colored pencils your mother bought you for your back to school. Also, you will find coloring pages for preschoolers, bookmarks yoou can make yourself, y series of cute kid's puzzles, funny printable mazes, learning games and more online games. You can entertain with the how-to draw animated videos, and make beautiful famoust singer coloring pages you like to decorate your school books or notebooks. Happy back to school!
