dragon

Chinese New Year

Kung Hei Fat Choy!
Kung Hey Fat Choy

26 January, 2009

dragon

2009 is the Year of the

The Chinese year 4706 begins on 26 January, 2009.

The Chinese Dragon

The dragon is an important part of the new year celebrations and is paraded through the streets. It represents wisdom, strength, benevolence, and good fortune.

chinese dragon
Chinese Dragon

Why does the date of the Chinese New Year change every year?

The Chinese use the Lunar calendar for their festivals. The Lunar calendar is based on the time the moon takes to go around the Earth. (The Western calendar is based on the time it takes for the Earth to go around the Sun.)

The lunar cycle is about 29.5 days. In order to "catch up" with the solar calendar the Chinese insert an extra month once every few years. In 2009, the Chinese Lunar Calendar will add an extra lunar 5th month. This is the same as adding an extra day on leap year.

china town

The first day of each Chinese year will always fall sometime between January 21 and February 21, inclusive, and takes place at sunset on the day of the second (sometimes rarely on the third) New Moon following the winter solstice (21 or 22 December).

How long do the New Year celebrations last for?

Chinese New Year celebrations last for two weeks and end with Teng Chieh, the lantern festival, on the full moon about 15 days later.

january
The moon charts above show January and February 2009. The yellow highlights the start of Chinese New Year on 26 January and and Teng Chieh which starts on 9 February 2009.

The Chinese Calendar

Each year in the Chinese calendar is represented by one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, the Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Some people believe that people born in a particular year such as the year of the Rat will have some of the characteristics of that animal. It is said that "The animal hides in your heart."

rat
ox
tiger
rabbit
dragon
snake
horse
ram
monkey
rooster
dog
pig

Activities

Hong Bow Chinese New Year Red Pocket
Create your own Red Pocket or Hong Bow to celebrate Chinese New Year.
(When you PRINT please set the 'Preferences' to landscape, else your pocket will be very small!!)
www.Kented.org.uk/ngfl/games

Please feedback about the activity

pdf Facts about Chinese New Year 2009 pdf The Chinese Calendar - animals
pdf Chinese Zodiac poster
Shows the cycle of the animals.
pdf Animals with dates
to display in your classroom
pdf Chinese Zodiac Poster
Shows the names of the animals in Chinese writing
flash game
Hong Bow Chinese New Year Red Pocket
Create your own Red Pocket or Hong Bow to celebrate Chinese New Year.
bullet Animal images and Chinese names to download
bulletLegend of the Animals

bulletCycle of Animals (find out which animal you are)

bulletTeaching Resources and Activities for Chinese New Year

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