The Year of the Ox

This year, Chinese people everywhere are celebrating the 'Year of the Ox' in their Chinese New Year festival. The Chinese New Year spans fifteen days and usually occurs in January, or February. During this time, families decorate their homes with colorful vases and flowers to symbolize spring. They also place bowls of oranges and tangerines, which symbolize happiness and prosperity, around the house for good fortune. Each night, the celebrators dine on Jai, fish or chicken, and noodles and desserts. Each dinner has a significant meaning related to Chinese beliefs. During the celebration, Chinese people crowd around the streets and watch the Chinese New Year Dragon parade; this is especially entertaining for children. The parade symbolizes wisdom and knowledge and is an amazing visual display of multicolored paper lanterns designed as birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and other insects and animals. Ultimately, the Chinese New Year "is a time to welcome the new season, pray for prosperity and well being, and cleanse away anything evil."

Kundan. "Celebrate Chinese New Year." China Town Connection. Date published unknown. February 7, 2009.