Spring begins (立春, lìchūn) each year around Feb 4th (in the Western calendar).The first day of Chinese New Year starts on the New Moon closest to spring.(That’s why Chinese New Year is called the Spring Festival.)And ends on the Full Moon 15 days later with the Lantern Festival.The first day of Chinese New Year is always between Jan 21st and Feb 21st.But why are Chinese New Year dates so “unpredictable”?To answer this question, one has to look at how a month in the Chinese calendar or lunar calendar is calculated.A Chinese month yue4 月 which means “moon” is a REAL moon.Each lunar month starts on the day of the new moon.This is the day the moon is closest to the sun and not visible at all.Does it mean that one has to look at the sky each time to tell the new moon?Fortunately, the answer is “no”.Otherwise there'll be a lot of stiff necks!Because the new moon occurs with enough regularity to devise a calendar based on its phases.(Full moon in the middle of the month. Moon wanes at the end of the month).On average, each lunar month is 29.5 days.(Sometimes the months are 29 days and other times they are 30 days.)But multiplying 29.5 days by 12 months gives 354 days.Which is 11 days short of 365 1/4 days, the cycle of the four seasons.Or 11 days "faster" if you like.So, how does the Chinese calendar “wait” for the natural world to catch up?By adding an extra month to make a “thirteen-month year”.Well, not every year but every few years.How often? It turns out seven times every nineteen years.In this way, the Chinese calendar year keeps in step with the real world.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
DATES
credits http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Does-Chinese-New-Year-Fall-on-a-Different-Date-Each-Year?&id=125575
cny dates
鼠rat
子 Zǐ
February 19, 1996
February 7, 2008
牛 Ox
丑 Chǒu
February 7, 1997
January 26, 2009
虎 Tiger
寅 Yín
January 28, 1998
February 14, 2010
兔 Rabbit
卯 Mǎo
February 16, 1999
February 3, 2011
龍Dragon
辰 Chén
February 5, 2000
January 23, 2012
蛇 Snake
巳 Sì
January 24, 2001
February 10, 2013
馬horse
午 Wǔ
February 12, 2002
January 31, 2014
羊goat
未 Wèi
February 1, 2003
February 19, 2015
猴 monkey
申 Shēn
January 22, 2004
February 8, 2016
雞rooster
酉 Yǒu
February 9, 2005
January 28, 2017
狗dog
戌 Xū
January 29, 2006
February 16, 2018
豬pig
亥 Hài
February 18, 2007
February 5, 2019
子 Zǐ
February 19, 1996
February 7, 2008
牛 Ox
丑 Chǒu
February 7, 1997
January 26, 2009
虎 Tiger
寅 Yín
January 28, 1998
February 14, 2010
兔 Rabbit
卯 Mǎo
February 16, 1999
February 3, 2011
龍Dragon
辰 Chén
February 5, 2000
January 23, 2012
蛇 Snake
巳 Sì
January 24, 2001
February 10, 2013
馬horse
午 Wǔ
February 12, 2002
January 31, 2014
羊goat
未 Wèi
February 1, 2003
February 19, 2015
猴 monkey
申 Shēn
January 22, 2004
February 8, 2016
雞rooster
酉 Yǒu
February 9, 2005
January 28, 2017
狗dog
戌 Xū
January 29, 2006
February 16, 2018
豬pig
亥 Hài
February 18, 2007
February 5, 2019
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
The Story of CHINESE NEW YEAR
In the old days, there was a monster lived near a village. This monster was called 'Year Monster'. It doesn't like red and it doesn't like noise. So villagers would stick red paper on their doors and red fire crackers were lit to make loud noises so as to scare the monster. When the villagers knew that the monster had gone, they would greet and bless each other. That's why Chinese people lit fire crackers and stick red blessing note on our door.
In the first week and up to the first month, people visit their own families, relatives and friends to greet each other. Everybody dress up in new clothes. Edible things like biscuits, chocolate or fruits will be given to the host as presents and the host has to return a small red packet with money to return the luck. When people meet, they wish each other good luck and married couples have to give 'lai see' (red packet with money) to children and not married adults (not too old though, maybe under mid 20). 'Lai see' means luck so when one gives out 'lai see', that means he has plenty of luck to share with others. Therefore, when a couple sees a child, they have to give out 2 'lai see'. The 'market price' for 'lai see' is about $20 per packet for ordinary friend's kids, more for closer friends, relatives and families. $10 for people who you don't know, like, if you meet someone in your friends' home. Unlucky words and curses are completely forbidden during Chinese New Year.
* * * * * *
A new tradition now is to send Chinese New Year greeting cards, in the past this was not done but now that families are so spread out around the world people send cards with the good wishes for the New Year. And now that we live in the internet world you can even send Chinese New Year Greeting Cards. Send one to a Chinese friend of yours!
Another site that is dedicated to Chinese New Year, and also has greeting cards, is www.101chinesenewyear.com; you'll find Chinese New Year Ecards and Year of the Rooster cards.
Celebration of Chinese New Year nowadays is very different from the old days
In the first week and up to the first month, people visit their own families, relatives and friends to greet each other. Everybody dress up in new clothes. Edible things like biscuits, chocolate or fruits will be given to the host as presents and the host has to return a small red packet with money to return the luck. When people meet, they wish each other good luck and married couples have to give 'lai see' (red packet with money) to children and not married adults (not too old though, maybe under mid 20). 'Lai see' means luck so when one gives out 'lai see', that means he has plenty of luck to share with others. Therefore, when a couple sees a child, they have to give out 2 'lai see'. The 'market price' for 'lai see' is about $20 per packet for ordinary friend's kids, more for closer friends, relatives and families. $10 for people who you don't know, like, if you meet someone in your friends' home. Unlucky words and curses are completely forbidden during Chinese New Year.
* * * * * *
A new tradition now is to send Chinese New Year greeting cards, in the past this was not done but now that families are so spread out around the world people send cards with the good wishes for the New Year. And now that we live in the internet world you can even send Chinese New Year Greeting Cards. Send one to a Chinese friend of yours!
Another site that is dedicated to Chinese New Year, and also has greeting cards, is www.101chinesenewyear.com; you'll find Chinese New Year Ecards and Year of the Rooster cards.
Celebration of Chinese New Year nowadays is very different from the old days
Monday, April 5, 2010
Food that are special during CNY
Floral Decor Meaning
Plum Blossom symbolizes luck
Kumquat symbolizes prosperity
Narcissus symbolizes prosperity
Chrysanthemum symbolizes longevity
Bamboo a plant used for any time of year
Sunflower means to have a good year
Eggplant a plant to heal all of your sickness
Chom Mon Plant a plant which gives you tranquility
Fish The Koi fish is usually seen in paintings. Decorated food depicting the fish can also be found. It symbolizes surplus or success.
Ducks represent fidelity in Chinese culture.
Chicken forms part of the symbolism of the dragon and phoenix.
Cakes such as Sticky Rice Cake's sweetness symbolizes a rich, sweet life, while the layers symbolize rising abundance for the coming year. Finally, the round shape signifies family reunion.
Plum Blossom symbolizes luck
Kumquat symbolizes prosperity
Narcissus symbolizes prosperity
Chrysanthemum symbolizes longevity
Bamboo a plant used for any time of year
Sunflower means to have a good year
Eggplant a plant to heal all of your sickness
Chom Mon Plant a plant which gives you tranquility
Fish The Koi fish is usually seen in paintings. Decorated food depicting the fish can also be found. It symbolizes surplus or success.
Ducks represent fidelity in Chinese culture.
Chicken forms part of the symbolism of the dragon and phoenix.
Cakes such as Sticky Rice Cake's sweetness symbolizes a rich, sweet life, while the layers symbolize rising abundance for the coming year. Finally, the round shape signifies family reunion.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Plants and Fruits
As individual plants, the rugged pine is a symbol of
nobility and venerability. As a longevity symbol, the
pine is often shown with the crane. The bamboo
with its straight exterior and hollow culm symbolizes
humility and fidelity. It has integrity for it bends
in the storm but does not break. The plant is closely
associated with the everyday life of the Chinese
because so many household objects are made of
bamboo. Su Dongpo, the famous poet of the Song
dynasty, remarked that he would rather go without
meat than to live without the bamboo. Foremost
among the flowers, the plum is emblematic of perseverance
and purity. The five petals of its flower
make it an auspicious
plant
because five is
a sacred number
in China. In
this instance the
five petals represent
the Five
Blessings: old
age, wealth,
health, love of
virtue, and a
natural death.
The Chinese
believe it is important
to have at least one
pomelo in the house
for decoration, or better
still, to have a pair,
since good things
always come in pairs. In Cantonese, you is similar
in sound to the phrase “to have.” To use a pomelo
to decorate one’s home during the new year implies
a wish that the home will have everything it needs
the coming year.
FIRECRACKERS
A firecracker (also known as a cracker, noise maker, banger or bunger) is a small explosive device primarily designed to produce a large amount of noise, especially in the form of a loud bang; any visual effect is incidental to this goal. They have fuses, and are wrapped in a heavy paper casing, to contain the explosive compound. Firecrackers, along with fireworks originated in China.
Taiwan:banned in urban, but allowed in rural.
Mainland china+Hong Kong+Singapore+Malaysia+Australia(unless used by licensed pyrotechnician)are all BANNED!!!
Phillippines-ALLOWED
U.S.A-ALLOWED/BANNED
Taiwan:banned in urban, but allowed in rural.
Mainland china+Hong Kong+Singapore+Malaysia+Australia(unless used by licensed pyrotechnician)are all BANNED!!!
Phillippines-ALLOWED
U.S.A-ALLOWED/BANNED
red packet
In Chinese and other East Asian societies, a red envelope or red packet (known as Hóng Bāo in Mandarin, Ang Pao in Taiwanese Hokkien and Lai See in Cantonese, and "lì xì" in Vietnamese) is a monetary gift which is given during holidays or special occasions.
uses of red packets:Red envelopes are mainly presented at social and family gatherings such as weddings or on holidays such as the Lunar New Year. The red color of the envelope symbolizes good luck and is supposed to ward off evil spirits. The act of requesting for red packets is normally called (Mandarin): 討紅包, 要利是. (Cantonese):逗利是. A married person would not turn down such request as it would mean that he or she would be "out of luck" in the new year. In keeping with Chinese customs, newly wedded couples are also usually expected to be extremely generous with the amount offered in the red packets, so as to receive blessings for a blissful marriage.
The amount of money contained in the envelope usually ends with an even digit, in accordance with Chinese beliefs; for instance 88 and 168 are both lucky numbers, as odd-numbered money gifts are traditionally associated with funerals. But there is a widespread tradition that money should not be given in fours, or the number four should not appear in the amount, as the pronunciation of the word "four" resembles that of the word "death", and it signifies bad luck for many Chinese (See Numbers in Chinese culture). At weddings, the amount offered is usually intended to cover the cost of the attendees as well as a goodwill to the newly weds.
During Lunar New Year, mainly in South China, red envelopes (in the North, just money without any cover) are typically given to the unmarried by the married. The amount of money is usually a single note to avoid heavy coins, and to make it difficult to judge the amount inside before opening. It is traditional to put brand new notes inside red envelopes. In recent years, banks also provide newish-looking notes to reduce the environmental impact of printing new banknotes.
The amount of money contained in the envelope usually ends with an even digit, in accordance with Chinese beliefs; for instance 88 and 168 are both lucky numbers, as odd-numbered money gifts are traditionally associated with funerals. But there is a widespread tradition that money should not be given in fours, or the number four should not appear in the amount, as the pronunciation of the word "four" resembles that of the word "death", and it signifies bad luck for many Chinese (See Numbers in Chinese culture). At weddings, the amount offered is usually intended to cover the cost of the attendees as well as a goodwill to the newly weds.
During Lunar New Year, mainly in South China, red envelopes (in the North, just money without any cover) are typically given to the unmarried by the married. The amount of money is usually a single note to avoid heavy coins, and to make it difficult to judge the amount inside before opening. It is traditional to put brand new notes inside red envelopes. In recent years, banks also provide newish-looking notes to reduce the environmental impact of printing new banknotes.
Chinese New Year phrases
大吉大利 da jie da li
Much luck and much prosperity
天天向上 tian tian xiang shang
daily heading upwards!
心想事成 xing xiang shi cheng
Accomplish That In Your Heart
歲歲平安 (Suì suì píng'ān)
everlasting peace year after year
年年有魚 nian nian you yu
surpluses and bountiful harvests every year
Much luck and much prosperity
天天向上 tian tian xiang shang
daily heading upwards!
心想事成 xing xiang shi cheng
Accomplish That In Your Heart
歲歲平安 (Suì suì píng'ān)
everlasting peace year after year
年年有魚 nian nian you yu
surpluses and bountiful harvests every year
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Chinatown Heritage Centre
Located in three newly restored shophouses at the ethnic quarters of Chinatown, the Chinatown Heritage Centre houses a wealth of memories and untold stories of how Singapore's early forefathers had settled in this area after their perilous journey from afar.
Each level of the Centre takes you to a different time in the history of Chinatown and allows you to trace the lives of its early occupants. Life in the old days was very simple and almost everyone lived in rented cubicles of shophouses. Poverty, diseases and harsh living conditions were common and widespread. The hard life of the migrants resulted in many of them seeking solace in the four evils: opium smoking, prostitution, gambling and secret societies. On a brighter note, Chinatown, in its heyday, was always bustling with life and activity. Traditional festivals of different races were celebrated here, thus making Chinatown culturally vibrant and unique.
Each level of the Centre takes you to a different time in the history of Chinatown and allows you to trace the lives of its early occupants. Life in the old days was very simple and almost everyone lived in rented cubicles of shophouses. Poverty, diseases and harsh living conditions were common and widespread. The hard life of the migrants resulted in many of them seeking solace in the four evils: opium smoking, prostitution, gambling and secret societies. On a brighter note, Chinatown, in its heyday, was always bustling with life and activity. Traditional festivals of different races were celebrated here, thus making Chinatown culturally vibrant and unique.
Sri Mariamman Temple
Sri Mariamman TempleThis magnificent structure is Singapore's oldest Hindu temple, dating back to 1827. The brick bones of the present building were built around 1843. Later additions have included a profusion of deities carved all over its walls, bell-decked doors and frescoes on the ceilings.
The firewalking festival, Thimithi, is celebrated here. This is also a preferred venue of most Hindu weddings.
Thian Hock Keng Temple
This Taoist temple, built in 1821 by seamen grateful for a safe passage, stands where Singapore's waterfront used to be before reclamation. The materials used to construct the temple are truly international, with ironwork from Scotland, tiles from England and Delft, and towering granite pillars entwined with dragons. Many ancestral tablets stand in the courtyard, and massive lions mount guards at the doors.
food
some food symbolises something during chinese new year,:Bamboo shoots: wealth,Dried beancurds: happiness(note that white beancurd is not served as the colour white symbolises death and misfortune,Eggs: fertility,Fish served whole: prosperity,Chinese garlic archives: a long life,Lychee nuts: close family ties,Pomelo: abundance,Tangerines: luck
spring rolls
JIAOZI(dumplings)
Jiaozi typically consist of a ground meat and/or vegetable filling wrapped into a thinly rolled piece of dough, which is then sealed by pressing the edges together or by crimping. Jiaozi should not be confused with wonton: jiaozi have a thicker, chewier skin and a flatter, more oblate, double-saucer like shape (similar in shape to ravioli), and are usually eaten with a soy-vinegar dipping sauce (and/or hot chili sauce); while wontons have thinner skin, are sphere-shaped, and are usually served in broth. The dough for the jiaozi and wonton wrapper also consist of different ingredients.
attire
The cheongsam is a body-hugging (modified in Shanghai) one-piece Chinese dress for women; the male version is the changshan. It is known in Mandarin Chinese as the qípáo Wade-Giles ch'i-p'ao, and is also known in English as a mandarin gown. The stylish and often tight-fitting cheongsam or qipao (chipao) that is most often associated with today was created in the 1920s in Shanghai and was made fashionable by socialites and upperclass women.
chinatown info
kieron:chinatown is located within the larger district of Outram.(district in Singapore).did you know that 75% of singapore's population is chinese!did you also know that In Chinese, Singapore's Chinatown is known as Niu che shui ,and it literally means bull-cart water," as a result of the fact that, because of its location, Chinatown's water supply was principally transported by animal-driven carts in the 19th century!!!Interesting right?even i did not know that myself!(seriously,i am not kidding!)
chinese history
The first major philosopher who lived in China was Lao Tsu (if he really existed), about 600 BC, under the Eastern Chou dynasty. Lao Tsu founded the philosophy of Taoism, which said that people should try to live in harmony with the universe, rather than fighting it. Instead of living by rigid rules and laws, people should try to work with the natural way of the world, and in this way their lives would be easier and happier.Not long after Lao Tsu began teaching Taoist ideas, another philosopher named Confucius came along to disagree with him. Confucius, who lived about 550 BC, also under the Eastern Chou dynasty, taught that people should recognize their responsibilities to the larger society, and work to uphold the laws and customs of their society. If everyone was a good citizen, the whole community would benefit and everyone would be happier.You can see that these two ideas conflict with each other. Yet both Taoism and Confucianism were popular all over China for the next two thousand years, and they are still both popular today.
Brendan: My CNY Celebration
1.) My mother cooked steamboat for our reunion dinner. There were prawns, fishes etc.
2.) I went downstairs and played firecrackers with Ketchup Kieron and my other friend. We set fire on a pile of leaves and we also melted my friend's toy car.My mother invited all her friends and my friends and my friends to my house to play.
2.) I went downstairs and played firecrackers with Ketchup Kieron and my other friend. We set fire on a pile of leaves and we also melted my friend's toy car.My mother invited all her friends and my friends and my friends to my house to play.
William:My CNY Celebration
On the CNY eve, we went to Chinatown to buy loads of goods. When the day came, we invite our friends to our house to have a party. We have Lau Yu Sheng, steam fish and a lot more. Delicious!We then play traditional games until 12 o' clock WOW!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
About Us (Group Profile)
Bonjour everyone! We are the Dragonlords! Our group consists of Kieron, Brendan, Jonah and William. Ketchup Kieron likes to eat ketchup, Bloody Brendan thinks blood is chilli, Wacky William likes to rock and Joyful Jonah is always happy.
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