MAIN Home Life Holidays New Year Lunar New Year 2008

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

The Lunar New Year dates from 2600 BC, when the Emperor Huang Ti introduced the first cycle of the Chinese zodiac.

Because of cyclical lunar dating, the first day of the year can fall anywhere between late January and the middle of February. On the Chinese calendar, 2008 is Lunar Year 4705-4706.

On the Western calendar, the start of the New Year falls on February 7, 2008 — The Year of the Rat. If you were born in 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996 - you were born under the sign of the rat.

Like the rat, you are always busily pursuing a personal goal or ambition, and are thus known as one of the hardest-working signs in the Chinese zodiac. For rats in 2008, any recent setbacks or obstacles can be overcome, so look forward to a year in which to really shine, either personally or professionally.

Famous people born in the Year Of The Rat include Prince Charles, ice skating champ Sasha Cohen, rapper Eminem, and actress Scarlett Johansson,

Chinese New Year around the Web

On the Web, learn more about Chinese New Year celebrations in the U.S. and around the world, browse festive clip art and e-mail greetings, or read up on traditional holiday folklore along with food & recipes surrounding a traditional weeks-long Chinese Lunar New Year or Spring Festival ...

Happy New Year!

Chinese New Year for Kids & Teachers - Fun for everyone at this first-rate resource including links to top holiday history and food sites, plus lesson plans for teachers...and festival-related crafts, coloring pages and clip art for the kids.

Chinese New Year - Great intro, with brief descriptions of traditional celebrations slated for all 15 days of the New Year or Spring Festival, plus more on traditional Chinese New Year foods, decorations, taboos and superstitions.

Chinese New Year - Wikipedia - A wonderful overview of the history, symbols, customs & foods surrounding the 15-day festivities including information on traditional gifts, flowers, fireworks, good luck / bad luck superstitions, how Chinese New Year is celebrated around the world, plus lots of related links and resources.

Lunar New Year in Taiwan - An engaging read, and beautifully illustrated with tales of the origins of the festival, holiday dishes, gift exchanges, the dragon and lion parade, rituals and superstitions.

Chinese New Year: Chinese Calendar - One stop browsing to learn more about the zodiac, the 12 animals that govern specific years, an online tutorial of Chinese calligraphy, a New Year banners how-to, New Year graphics, and lots more.

Teacher Planet - Chinese New Year - Great collection of fun activities and instructional how to's including dragon crafts, paper lanterns & garlands, scavenger hunt sheets, related lesson plans, plus links to clip art & history resources.

Chinese New Year Greetings, E-Cards - A colorful collection of animated and Flash greetings, Spring Festival, and Happy New Year cards.

Chinese New Year Clip Art - Check out kid-friendly images of zodiac signs, dragon parades and more.

Lunar New Year Parades & Events Worldwide:

Chinese New Year Global Gala

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Chinese New Year Recipes

In some areas of China it's a popular custom to give oranges because in Chinese, the word "orange" sounds like "Ji", which means "good luck". People present oranges to their friends and relatives to express their respects and good wishes for the coming year.

Chinese Zodiac

Rat | Ox | Tiger | Rabbit | Dragon | Snake

Horse | Sheep | Monkey | Rooster | Dog | Pig

also see -> Beijing Olympics | China Tourist Attractions

Chinese Dragon Boat Festival | Mid-Autumn Festival