The Great Animal Race Lunar New Year celebrations this year welcome the Year of the Snake, so named because the snake was a the sixth animal to finish in the Great Animal Race organized by the Jade Emperor when he created the 12-year cycle of the Chinese Zodiac. He hoped the zodiac would help people
Articles Tagged Year of the Snake
SIX FEBRUARY HOLIDAYS IN THE SAME WEEK
Whew! There were more holidays last week than during the official “Holiday Season.” Funny word “holiday.” It’s a contraction of Holy Days. Most folks don’t think of holidays as religious – we think of free time, decorations, special food, gifts, and shopping. But, for those so inclined, there is opportunity for contemplation and purification. CHINESE
GUNG HEI FAT CHOY – HAPPY LUNAR (CHINESE) NEW YEAR
“Okay, I’ll bite. Why are you wishing me a Happy New Year when we already celebrated the New Year on January 1?” Excellent Question, Grasshopper. (Historian settles in for a lengthy chat.) The January 1 date is completely arbitrary, a result of the introduction of the Julian calendar in 45 BCE. “Could you answer my