Written by: Waseem Abbas
Posted on: February 09, 2024 | 
| 中文
Dragon dance performance during new year celebrations in China
Chinese New Year is one the most celebrated and rich cultural celebrations in Chinese culture, which heralds the beginning of the new year as well as the spring season. Celebrated in China and around the world, it is a week-long festival known for family gatherings and offering gratitude to the deities for a blissful spring. The Chinese New Year is celebrated according to the Chinese Lunisolar calendar, due to which the new year varies each year, and is celebrated between the 21st of January and the 20th of February.
New year celebrations in China
Each Chinese New Year is named after one of the 12 animals (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig) and the five elements (Water, wood, fire, earth and metal). It is believed by the Chinese that each year brings new opportunities and obstacles, in consonance with the characteristics of the animal, and also in accordance with one of the five elements of that year.
Chinese zodiac signs (credits to www.chinahighlights.com)
Chinese New Year 2024 falls on the 10th of Feb 2024, and is the year of Wood Dragon. Dragons are auspicious mythical creatures in Chinese tradition that control rain and wind, bring good weather, soar through skies, communicate between humans, heaven and earth, and are responsible for bringing prosperity through plentiful harvests and boom in wealth.
It is believed that the order of twelve animals was decided by the Jade Emperor after a race, and the animal that reached the destination first was given the first year. According to the myth, the dragon was swiftly moving towards his destination but took a longer route to save various villages from devastation. When the dragon was approaching the finishing line, he saw a village suffering from drought, and the people facing the challenge of a famine, so he flew towards the skies to bring rain. In another village, floods had caused havoc, so the dragon opened his mouth and absorbed the water, in order to save the village from destruction. As the dragon was approaching the finishing line, he saw a wolf chasing a rabbit, who was participating in the zodiac race. The dragon protected the rabbit from the wolf, and let his opponent in the race reach the finishing line before him. Hence, people born in the year of the dragon are believed to be sympathetic towards others, and keen to help those in need.
Happy Chinese New Year
Year of the dragon signifies strength, nobility, honor, success, ferocity, power and good fortune. People born in the year of the dragon are believed to possess the characteristics of the mythical creature, including leadership qualities, confidence, intelligence and strength. People born in this year impress others with their charisma, leadership, innovation and courage. Therefore, Chinese couples usually plan their babies in the year of dragon, so that their children are successful, charismatic and intelligent.
The element associated with 2024 is wood, which symbolizes the union of strength and flexibility, just like bamboo. Wood is also related to warmth, cooperation, optimism, patience, idealism, generosity and courage. People born in the year of the wood, are outgoing and socially conscious, as wood is associated with springtime, buds, sensuality and life. As wood needs water to grow and thrive, people born in the year of wood, can become angry and frustrated when ignored or misunderstood. Wood dragon people are introverted, less enthusiastic, and lack social skills as compared to dragon people in other years. Dragon people can also become arrogant and stubborn at times, due to continuous success.
A little girl celebrating Chinese new year
One of the interesting aspects of the Chinese zodiac signs is the love compatibility of couples, which is believed to be influenced by the zodiac animal of their birth. People born in the year of dragon are said to be most compatible with people born in the years of rat, monkey and rooster, while people born in the year of the dog are least compatible.
The year of Dragon continues till the 28th of January 2025, and the next Dragon year will be in 2036.
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