This year the Chinese New Year celebrations began on 31st January 2014. It is the year of the horse. According to the Sydney Chinese New Year Festival,
“People born in the Year of the Horse are clever, kind, animated and energetic. Although they sometimes talk too much, they are cheerful, perceptive, talented and love to be in the centre of a crowd. They are popular among friends, active at work and have a deft sense of humour.
2014 is the year of the Wooden Horse. Wood Horses are strong and stable and have a better ability to make decisions. Excellent at interacting with others, they are successful personally and professionally.”
Chinese new year coincides with the lantern festival. Lanterns are hung outside homes and children carry lanterns for luck. Different colours mean different things.
- Red: Good fortune
- Pink: Romance
- Peach-red: Decisions and opportunities
- Orange: Money
- Yellow: Success in school and/or job
- White: Health
- Light Green: Growth
- Light Blue: Hoping something comes true
- Light Purple: Idealism
This year we went to our local food court to watch the celebrations. The drums pounded as the dragons danced and fought. The local Chinese community offered the dragons gifts in envelopes for good luck and were showered in lettuce leaves in return (not sure what that was about – if you know please tell us). The dancing dragons looked something like this.
Of course then we got to enjoy a scrumptious Chinese meal. Who doesn’t like dim sum and fried rice?
Lewis was so excited and enthralled with the celebrations we found some great craft ideas to continue with the theme.
Did you watch the Chinese New Year celebrations?
I hope you’ve enjoyed having a look at these Chinese new year pictures I have found on Pinterest. If you’ve got a picture on Pinterest and would like us to Pin it add a link in the comments and we will PIN IT to our Celebrations board.
I totally forgot it was Chinese New Year!
But then again we do very little for actual new year so that’s not really a surprise is it? 🙂
I have to admit Jess we don’t do very much for New Years Eve either, but Chinese New Year is great because the celebrations are all early on in the evening making it perfect for entertaining the little ones.
I don’t know much about it to be honest. Love the pics. The first one is just gorgeous, would be great to see in real life. I bet it has such a festive feel. #teamIBOT
Thanks Sophie, yes the festival is really vibrant
Awesome pics! I’ve only read a little about Chinese New Year here and there, but it looks like a blast.
Thank you Jeri, I’m glad you liked the pictures. I write a post once a month featuring pictures from Pinterest, don’t forget to “LIKE” us on Facebook to see some of the great pictures we have found.
Unfortunately, we didn’t participate in the CNY celebrations this year. We can hear the fireworks, though. One year we’ll get there Dim sum and fried rice??? YES PLEASE!
Yes I’ve been listening to the fireworks over the weekend as well Grace.