Chinese New Year 2022 - Year of the Tiger...

Chinese New Year is a traditional holiday that's very important in China. Traditionally, Chinese New Year would begin on the last day of the month in the Chinese calendar, Chinese New Year’s Eve, and would end on the fifteenth day of the first month - the Lantern Festival. 

This makes it the longest festival in the Chinese calendar. The date changes from year to year because it follows an ancient farmer calendar, which is based on phases of the moon. 

Chinese New Year 2022, the Year of the Tiger, will be celebrated on 1st February 2022. The Tiger is considered to be brave, cruel and forceful. It is the symbol of power in Chinese culture.

Alternative names also include the Lunar New Year, as the Chinese calendar is lunisolar, and the Spring Festival, which is the literal translation of the modern Chinese name.

What different animals represent Chinese New Year?In Chinese tradition, twelve animals represent each year. These animals are:

• Rat
• Ox
• Tiger
• Rabbit
• Dragon
• Snake
• Horse
• Goat
• Monkey
• Rooster
• Dog
• Pig

Each one has its own characteristics, just like zodiac signs.

How long does Chinese New Year last?Chinese New Year usually lasts for 15 days. The Lantern Festival is held on the 15th day and signals the end of the New Year celebration period.

How is Chinese New Year celebrated?In preparation for Chinese New Year, Chinese people spring-clean their houses and gardens to sweep away any bad luck. Houses are decorated with paper scrolls and lanterns, and any unfinished business is settled so that there's a fresh start to the new year. 
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Children receive red envelopes that are filled with money and sweets from elders. Parades and performances fill the streets, and people enjoy fireworks and eat lots of food to mark the occasion. 
Facts about the Chinese New Year 

• The festival was originally a ceremonial day to pray to gods for a good planting and harvest season. People also prayed to their ancestors, who were seen as gods.
• The most important part of Chinese New Year is family reunion. In modern China, many young people live in cities, while the elders live in rural villages. The migration back home is called 'Chunyun' or Spring Migration.
• It's believed that you shouldn't shower on New Year's Day because you'll wash away the good luck.
• Dumplings are a popular food throughout the celebrations.
• The colour red is used in nearly all Chinese New Year decorations.
• Your zodiac year (the year you were born's zodiac animal) is the unluckiest for you.
• The Chinese New Year greeting is 'Xin Nian Kuai Le' which literally means 'Happy New Year'.

​[Source: Twinkl]