Chinese New Year is here (Feb 7)!!! Many Chinese travel back to their home village for these celebrations. The boys and I went out yesterday (Feb 7) and found many of the stores closed. Tonight (Feb 8) even more restaurants and stores are closed. In the areas we have been, it feels deserted ... which is a strange feeling here!!
Chinese New Year
We will bid farewell to the Year of the Fire Boar and welcome the Year of the Earth Rat on Feb 7, 2008.
Astrologers historically devised the lunar calendar around 300BC, during the rule of Emperor Yao, for farmers to know when to plant crops and harvest them. Based on the phases of the moon, the Chinese New Year occurs between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, usually during mid-January to mid-February of the Gregorian calendar.
According to legend, a monster threatening the Yellow River civilization disliked noise, light and the color red. The beast fled when lion dancers performed to the beat of drums, gongs and when the village homes were lit brightly and with many objects painted red.
(Info above written by: Rosemary Chin, Art Specialist, Melawati Campus, ISKL)
May the Year of the Rat bring you and yours peace, health and wealth.
