What does the Year of the Rat mean?

What does the Year of the Rat mean?

As rats are known for reproducing large numbers of offspring, they are also perceived as being symbolic of fertility. People whose birth dates occurred in the Year of the Rat include those born in 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996 and 2008.

Why do Chinese celebrate Lunar New Year?

The reason the new year falls at this time is because it marks the start of the lunar new year, which is when there is the start of a new moon. … Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival. It is the most important celebration in the Chinese calendar.

Is Year of the Rat?

The rat is the first of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. … People whose birth dates occurred in the Year of the Rat include those born in 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996 and 2008.

What is the purpose of spring cleaning the house before Chinese New Year?

People clean their houses before Chinese New Year. Beginning on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month Chinese people carry out a thorough 'winter-cleaning' of their houses. This is called "sweeping away the dust", and represents a wish to put away old things, bid farewell to the old year, and welcome in the New Year.

Is Japanese New Year the same as Chinese?

In Japan, lunar new year is referred to as 旧正月 or old new year rather than Chinese in nature. So even when lunar new year was celebrated in Japan, it is not implicitly Chinese in anyway. Chinese New Year is called 春節 shunsetsu. Even though it is celebrated on the same day as 旧正月 it is NOT the same thing.

When should I take down my Chinese New Year decorations?

Chinese New Year decorations are usually taken down after the first 15 days of the Year. Good wishes. Some decorations include “fai chun” (words of wellness); and I simply leave them there.

What is Happy New Year in Chinese?

In Mandarin, “Happy Chinese New Year” is “xin nian kuai le” (pronounced shin nee-an kwai le), which is a formal greeting typically used for strangers and means “New Year happiness.” A shortened version is “xin nian hao” (pronounced shin nee-an how) is more often used for friends and family.

Is it correct to say Chinese New Year?

However, the prefix of Chinese/Vietnamese/Korean/etc new year tend to be the result of the more predominant ethnicity in an area, so it's not "wrong" to call it Chinese new year if that's the more predominant ethnicity in your area.

What is the animal for Chinese New Year 2020?

2020 is the Year of the Rat according to Chinese zodiac. This is a Year of Metal Rat, starting from the 2020 Chinese New Year on Jan. 25 and lasting to 2021 Lunar New Year's Eve on Feb. 11. Rat is the first in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac.

How long is Lunar New Year?

Chinese New Year celebrations, also known as the Spring Festival, in China start on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month of the Chinese calendar. The festival lasts for about 23 days, ending on the 15th day of the first lunar month in the following year in the Chinese calendar.