Thursday, February 19, 2015

Happy Lunar New Year

      Today is Lunar New Year for millions of Asians and anybody else who'd like to have a great party.

      Now before I post on the Lunar New Year I have to say my knowledge about it is limited. However, I find the whole concept fascinating. First, I find it hard to get my head around the lunar calendar concept. Then add to that, many Asian cultures have their own version of calendars.  After that each culture puts it's own spin on the celebrations.

     So Lunar New Years can very from Jan 21 to Feb. 20. These variations come about as a result of the cycles of the moon. A lunar calendar is based on moon cycles. The Gregorian calendar , which we use,  is based on the earth's revolution around the sun. Adding to the complication is a Julian calendar which was heavily influenced by the Greek Orthodox denomination.

    I think I'm going to have to do some serious research on calendars. 

    Meanwhile, I'm going to wish all Asian celebrants of the Lunar New Year a happy year of the sheep.  Next year the lunar New Year will be Feb. 9.

    Celebrations, here in Alberta, are colorful and elaborate. There is much excitement with hope for peace joy, happiness and lots of money!

     It sounds like I should go out and find a party to join instead of going to bed at 10:30 PM as on our New year's Eve. 

     Do any of you enjoy the Lunar New year's Eve? I think I've been missing out on something.
   

38 comments:

  1. I remember seeing horses everywhere when we were in Hong Kong last year, the Year of the Horse. Otherwise, I don't follow this much.

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    1. I certainly don't follow the lunar year but it is interesting to think about.

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  2. We have a large Asia population here in the Seattle area, but this year I haven't heard anything about the Lunar New Year. And I'm not partying either.

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    1. We have many new Asian people and I think they keep up traditions. Asians who've been here for several generations don't follow traditions as much.

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  3. I forgot. I was going to create some fireworks for them.

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    1. You better get on this file right away , Adrian!

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  4. There were some articles about Chinese New Year in the newspaper this morning, but unless you're in Chinatown I don't see any celebrations going on.
    Whatever the case, Kung Hee Fat Choy, Red!

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    1. Hey, I'm honored to be given a greeting in Japanese. Thanks.

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    2. Actually... In Japanese it would be "Akemashite Omedetou gozaimasu." I don't think the Japanese celebrate lunar new year. They celebrate the same time as the western world.

      Kung Hee Fat Choy or Xin Nian Kuai Le is Chinese. There are so many Chinese versions.

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  5. My knowledge is just that bit less limited now that I've read your post.

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    1. It's not something I've checked into before , but I found it very interesting.

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  6. The Year of the Horse, there were huge balloon horses on the roof of the bank in the city. Kinda neat to drive uptown and see these towering horses standing on the edge of the roof of the bank.

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    1. There are some very colorful busy decorations for the lunar new year.

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  7. I think I've been missing out, too! I've never joined one of these parties.

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    1. If I was invited I'd go in a heartbeat.

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  8. Amsterdam has a long time community of Chinese people living there and I have seen them celebrating in the streets with dragons and fireworks some times.

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    1. When I looked up lunar new year I learned a whole lot of things very quickly.

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  9. I figured a good party aint nothing without mutton. I prefer lamb, but fixed some beef ribs with a nice sweet ginger sauce on the grill.

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    1. Nice play on words. I think I'd pass on the mutton but lamb is okay.

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  10. Happy New Year, Red. I hope this new lunar new year will bring us all good things. Why not? :-)

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    1. Absolutely. The more new year's celebrations the better. What am I saying when I'm in bed by 10:30 new year's eve?

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  11. i'm conscious of it, i've read about the animal signs, but that's about as much as i know. :)

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  12. What I loved about teaching in the city, was the broad spectrum of cultures and traditions, and religious observations! Much fun!

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    1. A lot of mileage can be made by having a variety of cultures in a class and having kids share.

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  13. We tried once to celebrate the summer equinox in Alaska & missed it by a day . Actually any excuse for a party is ok....

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    1. I'm sure many longest day celebrations are missed because of over exuberant celebrating.

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  14. If I lived in our Chinatown neighbourhood, I'd probably notice it more.

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  15. I have always been fascinated by the moon - full, quarter, daytime, nighttime - I'm thinking I should get behind this celebration and have a party. :)

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    1. I have an app on my ipad and watch night skies from tome to time.

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  16. Happy lunar New year, Red, and I hope you have a great weekend!!

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  17. I have completely missed this holiday. Goody another reason to celebrate life. I need to find a party.

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  18. The Lunar new year is celebrated with much energy. They have fun.

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  19. Hi Red, Thanks for all the explanation on Lunar New Year. I knew it was happinging but didn't really know why. Next year I think I will party along with them on the Lunar New Year ... maybe I will stay up late? 8:30? :-) John

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  20. No we don't celebrate that around here, I did know it is the year of the goat/sheep. I read once some very interesting stuff about the year you were born in and who you married and the year they were born...and if you would get along together. :)

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  21. Lovely post Red. Years ago we were fortunate enough to have several Chinese neighbors who would invite us to their New Year parties. I always had so much fun attending them.

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  22. Anything to celebrate, I’m all for it. I like the idea of a Lunar New Year, although I too will have to find out a lot more about it before I can expostulate further.

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