Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Max is a Snake! He came home from school on Monday greeting us with a "Happy Chinese New Year!" and "Guess what, I was born in the Year of the Snake, so I'm going to make lots of money." I love enthusiastic learning, and I liked the sound of that. (He earned a high five)......but I figured we might want to double check a couple of the facts he picked up.
He already enjoys Internet searching so here is a little of what we found:

Chinese New Year started January 26th and last 15 days. (2009 is the Year of the Ox, it's supposed to be a good year for Snakes)

How Your House Should Be Cleaned
The entire house should be cleaned before New Year's Day. On New Year's Eve, all brooms, brushes, dusters, dust pans and other cleaning equipment are put away. Sweeping or dusting should not be done on New Year's Day for fear that good fortune will be swept away. After New Year's Day, the floors may be swept. Beginning at the door, the dust and rubbish are swept to the middle of the parlor, then placed in the corners and not taken or thrown out until the fifth day. At no time should the rubbish in the corners be trampled upon. In sweeping, there is a superstition that if you sweep the dirt out over the threshold, you will sweep one of the family away. Also, to sweep the dust and dirt out of your house by the front entrance is to sweep away the good fortune of the family; it must always be swept inwards and then carried out, then no harm will follow. All dirt and rubbish must be taken out the back door. (Yikes, this is sooooo not gonna happen at our house)

Bringing In the New Year and Expelling the Old
Shooting off firecrackers on New Year's Eve is the Chinese way of sending out the old year and welcoming in the New Year. On the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, every door in the house, and even windows, have to be open to allow the old year to go out.
New Year Activities Set Precedent
All debts had to paid by this time. Nothing should be lent on this day, as anyone who does so will be lending all the year. Back when tinder and flint were used, no one would lend them on this day or give a light to others.

Everyone should refrain from using foul language and bad or unlucky words. Negative terms and the word "four" (Ssu), which sounds like the word for death, are not to be uttered. Death and dying are never mentioned and ghost stories are totally taboo. References to the past year are also avoided as everything should be turned toward the New Year and a new beginning.

If you cry on New Year's day, you will cry all through the year. Therefore, children are tolerated and are not spanked, even though they are mischievous.

Personal Appearance and Cleanliness
On New Year's Day, we are not suppose to wash our hair because it would mean we would have washed away good luck for the New Year. Red clothing is preferred during this festive occasion. Red is considered a bright, happy color, sure to bring the wearer a sunny and bright future. It is believed that appearance and attitude during New Year's sets the tone for the rest of the year. Children and unmarried friends, as well as close relatives are given lai see, little red envelopes with crisp one dollar bills inserted, for good fortune.

More New Year Superstitions
For those most superstitious, before leaving the house to call on others, the Almanac should be consulted to find the best time to leave the home and the direction which is most auspicious to head out.

The first person one meets and the first words heard are significant as to what the fortunes would be for the entire year. It is a lucky sign to see or hear songbirds or red-colored birds or swallows.

It is considered unlucky to greet anyone in their bedroom so that is why everyone, even the sick, should get dressed and sit in the living room.

Do not use knives or scissors on New Year's Day as this may cut off fortune.

While many Chinese people today may not believe in these do's and don'ts, these traditions and customs are still practiced. These traditions and customs are kept because most families realize that it is these very traditions, whether believed or not, that provide continuity with the past and provide the family with an identity.


The most interesting part for Max was the Chinese Zodiac
he wanted to find out what sign we each are, these are just the highlights:

The Snake

It turns out that Mark and Max were both born in the year of the Snake. Max is a Metal Snake and Mark a Fire Snake. (That might explain some differences)
People born in the year of the snake are considered sexy, romantic, enigmatic, mysterious, grand, wise, enchanting and mystical in their spirituality.Snakes react with delight to music. Although, persons born under this sign may seem sexually cold, when music is turned on, they writhe in delight and perform enchanting love and routines. The most celebrated singers, poets and rock stars are born under the sign of the snake. They belong on stage where they are distant, not dangerous, and their charms are enjoyed, and where they are least dangerous. Persons born under this sign have the power to move souls. Snakes are not created on this Earth for entertainment purposes or to work like the Ox; their responsibility in society is to keep the useless population in check, either to force them to be productive through fear of consequences, or to eliminate the counter-productive, destructive, parasitic ones from the skivving off the labor of the human social system. These people have a special talent that enables them to judge situations correctly. The only sign that can possibly overcome the snake is the mythical sign of the Dragon with its superhuman benevolence and love.
(Some of these came as a surprise, some did not. I have to say that Mark won me over on the dance floor........ for a big guy, he has some moves.)

The Dragon

Kate was born in the Year of the Dragon
The Dragon is omnipotent. They are flamboyant, attractive and full of vitality and strength. In China, the Dragon is the sign of the Emperor of China or the male element Yang. The Dragon is the symbol of power and wealth.

It would be right to say that people born in the year of the dragon have a natural charisma and are certainly gifted with power and luck. It is unlikely for them to escape unnoticed from a party or to take second place in a competition. The dragon person has an active mind and shows an unfeigned interest in the world around them
If a dragon's friend faces a problem or dilemma, they will be there to offer help, and when others leave the field of battle the dragon takes a step forward to solve the problem with authority and dignity. Dragons set a high standard of actions for themselves as well as for other people and are surprised when others cannot cope with a task; they are so carried away by the process that they fail to see other people's weaknesses.
Ideal jobs for dragons include kings, military officer, physician, politician.
(I kind of think I'm not living up to my potential)

The Monkey
Ms. Lillian is a Monkey and this is no surprise.
The Monkey is the most versatile sign of the Chinese zodiac. Such people are often inventors, plotters, entertainers and the creative geniuses behind anything ingenious, including mischief. They have natural quick-wittedness which enables them to understand what is happening and then make a right decision.Monkeys have flexible principles and serene self-confidence so they are completely content; but they usually manage to complicate the lives of others. After yet another plan or project has gone wrong, they are seldom there to help clean up the disorder and confusion that they leave in their wake. Monkeys can handle that too; with their charm and persuasiveness they can make people believe that just knowing them is a privilege. The monkey person is most compatible with all animals.
(Again, not a shocker)

The Rat
Tobias was born in The Year of the Rat
Being the first sign of the Chinese zodiac, rats are leaders, pioneers and conquerors. They are charming, passionate, determined, tenacious, intelligent, attractive, seductive, charismatic, practical and hardworking. Rat people are endowed with great leadership skills and are the most highly organized, meticulous, militaristic, and systematic of the twelve signs. Intelligent and cunning at the same time, rats are highly ambitious and strong-willed people who are keen and unapologetic promoters of their own agendas, which often include power, wealth, and status. Behind the smiles and charm, a strong sense of entitlement lurks deep within these people, and to go along with that, Rats can be arrogant and extremely deceptive and selfish. Rats at their worst are terribly Machiavellian, vindictive and power-hungry - always insisting on having things their way no matter what the cost. They are masters of mind games and can be very dangerous, calculative and downright cruel if the need arises. Quick-tempered and aggressive, they will not think twice about exacting revenge on those that hurt or impede them in any way and would gladly see them suffer. Rats need to learn to relax sometimes, as they can be quite obsessed with detail, intolerant and strict, demanding order, obedience, and perfection. (This one scares me a little)

Mark chimed in with a "You know none of this is true, it's just pretend Max."
Max, always quick with an argument said "But it's good things, and good things should be true......."

If your still reading this and interested in finding out what sign you were born under, click here Chinese Zodiac.

So this was fun, and due to some serious cut/copy/and pasting, it is now in fact, the worlds longest post.......... I promise to never do it again.

Gung Hay Fat Choy Everyone!