Happy New Year

Chinese New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays and is celebrated for 15 days. This year marks the year of the dragon.
Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal's year would have some of that animals personality.

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Dragon personality
People born in the year of the dragon are:

This year, w Chinese Ne n Year falls o Jan. 23.

Charismatic Have worldly interests Egotistical Ambitious Have active minds Powerful Self-condent Lucky

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Celebrations Year of the Dragon

The dragon is the only non-existent animal in the Chinese calendar. It is a creature of myth and legend. A symbol of good fortune and sign of intense power, the Oriental dragon is regarded as a divine beast. In Eastern philosophy, the dragon is said to be a deliverer of good fortune and a master of authority.
Sources: infoplease.com; usbridalguide.com; wikipedia

Before the start of the festivities, people clean their houses to sweep away any bad luck. On New Years Eve, houses are decorated with paper scrolls with good luck phrases. Families gather together and have a large traditional meal. People will stay up until midnight setting o reworks to frighten away evil spirits. On New Years Day, children will wake up to nd a red envelope lled with money and sweets under their pillows. Chinese New Year ends with the lantern festival on the fteenth day. The lanterns are often hand painted with scenes from history or legend. A dragon dance often takes place with a dragon made of paper, silk and bamboo, held by young men dancing and guiding it around to collect money.
SUSAN BATSFORD, GRAPHICS EDITOR, TWITTER @SBATS1; INFOGRAPHIC BY TARA CORRAN/QMI AGENCY