From wikipedia:
Chinese New Year is observed as a public holiday in a number of countries and territories where a sizeable Chinese population resides. Since Chinese New Year falls on different dates on the Gregorian calendar every year on different days of the week, some of these governments opt to shift working days in order to accommodate a longer public holiday. Also like many other countries in the world, a statutory holiday is added on the following work day when the New Year falls on a weekend.
Chinese New Year fireworks in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong
Mainland China
- The first seven days.
- The first five days
- The first three days
- The first two days
- The first day
The Vietnamese also celebrate their New Year, or Tết, on the same day as the Chinese calendar, with a 4-day public holiday. However, because of the time difference between Hanoi and Beijing (China), Tết may differ from the Chinese calendar by a day every 22nd or 23rd year. Korea now follows the Gregorian calendar for business and academic purposes, but the lunar new year is still marked with a three-day holiday, compared to a single day of holiday on January 1st. The Japanese now celebrate their New Year (shōgatsu) on 1 January, with the first three days being holidays.
Every separate occurrence of the Year of the Pig follows Earth, Metal, Water, Wood and Fire and then starts over again with Earth. Since there are 12 different animals the Fire Pig won't happen again for another 60 years.
By the way, I was born under the Year of the Fire Cock. If you're smart enough you can know how old I am.
I just learned from my Chinese Singaporean friend that people get lots of food, an Ang Pau and lots of sleep. An Ang Pau is a red envelope full of money.
Speaking of the word "Ang" (meaning red), it's interesting to note that the Singaporean people refer to Caucasians "Ang mo" or red-haired. Some of the earliest Caucasian settlers (the British) had red hair and the name came to eventually mean any white person. Whites are also sometimes called Europeans even if you are from the US or Australia. Initially Europeans settled the island so any white person was called that and the name stuck.
One more thing for GD, the word "Tan" is a Hokkien name. The Hokkien people originated in China near the island of Taiwan. Sometimes Cantonese Chinese will have the word "Tan" as their last name which was corrupted over time from a version of the surname "Chan".
Speaking of the word "Ang" (meaning red), it's interesting to note that the Singaporean people refer to Caucasians "Ang mo" or red-haired. Some of the earliest Caucasian settlers (the British) had red hair and the name came to eventually mean any white person. Whites are also sometimes called Europeans even if you are from the US or Australia. Initially Europeans settled the island so any white person was called that and the name stuck.
One more thing for GD, the word "Tan" is a Hokkien name. The Hokkien people originated in China near the island of Taiwan. Sometimes Cantonese Chinese will have the word "Tan" as their last name which was corrupted over time from a version of the surname "Chan".
Good info, Quantum. I will read it again before your final exam.
