Transcript Chinese New Year - University of Iowa

Chinese New Year
The year of the Rat
Gung Hay Fat Choy!
What is Chinese New Year?
• Chinese New Year is a holiday that
celebrates the beginning of a new year
according to the lunar calendar. It is
considered to be one of the most
important holidays for Chinese families.
When is Chinese New Year?
• The start of Chinese New Year changes every year since
it is dictated by the lunar calendar.
• The Gregorian or solar calendar--which is based on the
Earth's movement around the sun and has a fixed number of
365 days a year (366 during a leap year)--is the most widely
used calendar system in the world and has been the official
calendar used in China since 1912.
• But in China, the lunar calendar is still used to determine
traditional holidays like Chinese New Year. Since the
lunar calendar is based on the phases of the moon-- which
has a shorter cycle than the sun--Chinese New Year is
never on the same day each year, but typically falls
somewhere between January 21st and February 20th. For
2008, Chinese New Year falls on February 7th. In 2009 it
falls on January 26th.
Animals of the Zodiac
• Every year is associated with one of the
12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, with
each animal being represented once every
12 years. These animals are often
represented in decorations during the
holiday.
Animals of the Zodiac
• When it came time for the Jade Emperor in heaven to
decide the order of the zodiac, he invited all the animals to
participate in a race. The order of the zodiac would be
decided by the order in which animals finished the race.
• When the competition started, the ox was leading the pack,
but the rat jumped on his back. Since the rat was so light
and small, the ox did not realize that the rat was hitching a
ride. As the ox approached the finish line, the rat leap off
his back and was crowned as the first animal to complete
the race.
• After all the creatures finished the race, the order was
finalized: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat,
monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.
• According to legend, those born in a particular year of an
animal are said to possess particular character traits
associated with that animal.
The Year of the Rat
(2008 & 1996)
• Positive Character Traits:
Charming and ambitious
• Negative Character Traits:
Short-tempered and
sometimes sneaky
• Most Compatible with:
Dragon, Monkey, Ox
• Famous People Who Have
This Sign: Ugly Betty star
America Ferrera, dancer
Gene Kelly, chefs Mario
Batali and Julia Child,
actors David Duchovny
and Hugh Grant
1994 – The Year of the Dog
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Positive Character Traits: Loyal, honest, can keep a secret
Negative Character Traits: Sharp tongue, hard on others
Most Compatible with: Horse, Tiger, Rabbit
Famous People Who Have This Sign: Singer/actress Judy Garland,
fashion designer Giorgio Armani, actresses Michelle Pfeiffer and Kirsten
Dunst, actor Matt Damon
1995 – The Year of the Pig
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Positive Character Traits: Tolerant, determined, kind to loved ones
Negative Character Traits: Can be a bit materialistic, overly trusting
Most Compatible with: Rabbits and Sheep
Famous People Who Have This Sign: Politician Henry Kissinger,
country singer Loretta Lynn, House star Hugh Laurie, actor Ewan
McGregor, cyclist Lance Armstrong, pop star Carrie Underwood