chinese new year

The Chinese New Year is the most significant event that the Chinese are celebrating in the Chinese calendar (Info , 2007 . The celebration which is also called the Spring Festival , lasts up to fifteen days making it the longest event celebrated in the Chinese calendar . The history of the Chinese New Year was based on a legend that has happened thousands of years ago . During that time , people feared Nian . Nian was a monster who kept on terrorizing the people by means of gobbling people up all at the same time . Nian soon disappeared

with the help of an old man who knew tricks and magic . The disappearance of Nian caused a great celebration for the people (Parkinson , 2007 ) However , in other legends it claims that the people have devised a way to keep Nien out of sight They hanged red lanterns and strips all over the houses in the village , set fires , and lighted firecrackers to stray the monster away from their village (123Holiday , 2007

Nowadays , the Chinese New Year is celebrated like the New Year celebrated on the first of January , where families and friends feast together to celebrate the good times and look forward to the upcoming year . The Chinese New Year is also celebrated around the world not only by the Chinese , but also by people belonging to other races . In other countries , China Towns are the best places to visit for an authentic and enjoyable experience of Chinese New Year celebrations . It happens in different dates each year because the celebration of the Chinese New Year is based on the Chinese calendar . The days in the Chinese calendar are dependent on the movements of the sun and the moon (Parkinson 2007

The preparations for the Chinese New Year happen even weeks before the actual date marking the start of the event . The preparations begin with a ritual that is supposed to lure bad spirits and bad luck away from the house . This is done through a general cleaning of the entire house . It is a belief that throughout the entire year , the house might have amassed bad spirits and bad luck . Before the upcoming year begins , the house must be free of bad spirits and bad luck for good luck to come in (Parkinson , 2007 ) After doing so , the house is then decorated with a variety of designs that are red in color . This is because the color red is considered lucky . The houses are painted red , red lanterns are hung inside and outside the house , and red cutouts are hung inside the house . In these cutouts , positive and lucky words are written before it is hung , to invite good luck in the coming year . These words include long life ' health ' wealth ' good fortune ' and the likes (123Holiday , 2007

After cleaning and decorating the house , sweeping is not encouraged because it will brush off good luck . Another ritual is a sacrificial offering . The Kitchen God is a mythical idol that is highly regarded so...