Chinese New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. The origin of Chinese New Year is itself centuries old and gains significance because of several myths and traditions. Chinese New Year is observed as a public holiday in a number of countries and territories where a sizable Chinese population resides. Since Chinese New Year falls on different dates on the Gregorian calendar every year on different days of the week, some of these governments opt to shift working days in order to accommodate a longer public holiday. Also like many other countries in the world, a statutory holiday is added on the following work day when the New Year falls on a weekend.
Within China, customs and traditions concerning the celebration of the Chinese new year vary widely based on the various regions in China. People will spend their money to buy presents, decoration, material, food, and clothing, much like we do here in the United States for Christmas. It is also the tradition that every family thoroughly cleans the house to sweep away any ill-fortune in hopes to make way for good incoming luck. Windows and doors will be decorated with red color paper-cuts and couplets with popular themes of "good fortune" or "happiness", "wealth", and "longevity".
19th Century Dragon, Photo Credit Wikipedia
This year the Chinese are celebrating the “Year of the Dragon.” The Dragon, is one of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac and Mongolian zodiac related to the Chinese calendar and Mongolian calendar, and the only animal that is legendary. The Year of the Dragon is associated with the earthly branch symbol 辰 and is considered the luckiest year in the Chinese Zodiac.
If you’re a homeschooler like myself, its days like today that give us the opportunity to teach our children how different cultures celebrate different holidays. So here are some fun crafts and treats that you can share with your children this
Celebrate the year of the Dragon with these fun crafts and treats! Perfect to share with your little ones.
Thumbprint Dragons
All you need is a few colorful inkpads and blank paper. Embellish with a pen to add eyes, ears, legs and a pointy tail!
http://funhandprintart.blogspot.com/…nt-dragon.html
Egg Carton Dragon
Use egg cartons, paint, colored paper, tissue paper and shimmery foil to create a sensational Chinese New Year Dragon.
http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/egg…ese_dragon.htm
Colorful Fortune Cookies!
Yummy and fun to make your own fortunes too.
http://diyweddingplanning.blogspot.c…l#.TsbN4j3NmN4
Paper Lanterns
These look great with sequin, sticker and glitter embellishments. Use lots of colors and string them across a porch or window!
http://crafts.kaboose.com/lantern1.html
Happy Chinese New Year! Don’t forget to wear something RED for good luck!