That is the greeting many Chinese-Americans will hear as friends
wish them a happy new year today. It means ‘‘May you become
prosperous.’’
The Chinese New Year’s Day is the first day of the first moon of
the lunar calendar. New Year’s Day 2006 began the Year of the Dog.
As with Western New Year’s celebrations, the holiday signifies a
new beginning. But unlike our traditional celebrations, the holiday
as practiced by the Chinese stresses the importance of family ties
with visits and reunions.
Traditional New Year’s celebrations are very elaborate. The
kitchen god Zaowang, who watches over the morals of the family, is
welcomed back after reporting to heaven on the family’s behavior.
After the cleaning and cooking are finished, old debts are settled,
new clothing is bought and everyone gets spruced up for the
occasion.
The parties last two weeks and include fireworks, theatrical
shows and parades. The Americanized versions have evolved into
shorter celebrations. But many of the rituals are still carried out
today by Chinese-Americans across the country.
New Year’s celebrations end on the 15th day of the first moon
with the Lantern Festival. Traditionally, people would carry
lanterns similar to these into the streets for a great, colorful
parade that can include a dragon dance by young men of the
village.
Computer and printer or construction paper and stickers.
Scissors.
Ruler.
String or thin wire.
Tape.
Draw a large, horizontal rectangle on your monitor and fill it
with your favorite color or use colored construction paper.
Select an animal from your favorite clip art and place it on the
upper-left corner. Copy and paste it along the top and bottom edge
of your rectangle or place stickers on the edges.
Print the picture using a horizontal setting.
Measure two inches from the top and bottom edges of the paper
and draw straight lines across the paper, just under the
pictures.
Measure and draw one-half inch vertical lines connecting the
lines at the top and bottom of the paper.
Fold the paper in half and cut the vertical lines.
Open the paper and tape the edges together.
Tape a string or wire near the top edges of the lantern.
