Kung Fu Panda

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the "present."

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Chinese New Year 2009, just some facts...

2009 is the Year of the Ox,which is also known by its formal name of Ji Chou. 己丑

There are three ways to name a Chinese year:

  • By an animal (like a mscot). 2008 is known as the Year of the Rat. 2009 is the Year of the Ox. There are 12 animal names; so by this system, year names are repeated every 12 years.
  • By its Formal Name (Stem-Branch). 2008 is the year of Wu Zi. 2009 is the Year of Ji Chou. In the 'Stem-Branch' system, the years are counted in 60-year Cycles, so that the Name of the Year is repeated every 60 years. 2008 is the 9-th year in the current 60-year Cycle. 2009 is the 10-th year in the current 60-year Cycle. A "Cycle" is analogous to a "century" in the International Calendar system which is 100 years long. 2008 year is Year 4705 in the Chinese Calendar. [A few Chinese astrological/zodiac websites believe this year should be considered as Year 4706 for zodiac calculations.] 2009 is Year 4706 in the Chinese Calendar.
  • The Chinese calls the New Year's Celebration the "Spring Festival."
  • Each new year, people will decorate their homes with many New Year Graphics; the best of which are from the small town called Yangliuqing. Yanliuqing paintings were first produced between 1573 and 1620.
Coloring pages!! http://www.dltk-holidays.com/china/color/index.htm you can print these already in color and just hang them up or print in BW and color yourself. Enjoy!

2 comments:

Shanna said...

Awesome stuff to know!! Thanks so much for sharing :)
AND Happy CNLY to you!!!
Hugs

Buffi Young said...

GREAT info!!! Thanks for sharing! Happy CNY to you and yours!!

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