Chinese
New Year - 2005 Year of the Rooster
February 9, 2005 - January 28, 2006
The Chinese
calendar is based on solar and lunar cycles and thus the new
year falls on a different day of the Western solar calendar
each year. This Chinese year, the year 4701, begins on February 9. Each year is designated by one of 12 animals in the Chinese
calendar. This year is the Year of the Rooster.
Year
of the Rooster runs from February 9, 2005 - January 28, 2006. This is the year of the Wood Rooster and
is a Yin Year.
Rooster
Personality & Traits
- flamboyant and colorful, resilient, confident, tough, strong-willed, proud, extroverted, dramatic, honest, meticulous, very intelligent, good sense of humor, blunt, romantic
The
Year Ahead
The
year of the Rooster will be a dramatic, energetic and stimulating year, this is a time for commitment, hard work and positive action.
The Year of the Rooster can also be an unforgiving year and is not a time to step outside accepted boundaries. However, this year can be beneficial and rewarding, a time of looking onward and upward. This is a year for method and order.
Click
Here to find out what Animal sign you were born under.
Then check below to see what the Year of the Rooster
holds for you.
Rat:
A busy time for rats, with exciting prospects ahead.
Ox:
A time for turning over a new leaf. Ox people feel in control and able to follow through on plans during the Year of the Rooster. Also a time to be cautious, not a time for risk.
Tiger:
Finances and careers go well for the Tiger this year, socially a time of activity and fun. This is a time of prosperity and well-being. Also a time for caution and not giving in to your impulsive nature.
Rabbit:
Can be a frustrating year for rabbit people, this is a time to keep a low profile. However, achievements this year can bring great success in the years to come.
Dragon:
A time of great achievement and significant advancements for the Dragon. Take the action necessary to bring about the results you desire - make the most of chances!
Snake:
This year progresses nicely for the snake. There will be great opportunity and the year holds considerable promise with much rewards.
Horse:
The Horse will need to work hard this year to see results. A time to proceed with care and be flexible, maintaining a steady pace.
Sheep:
This is a time of new beginnings for the sheep. This will be a busy and positive year. However, the sheep will need to exert energy towards his various activities with commitment and resolve bringing rewards.
Monkey:
A hectic and constructive year filled with opportunity. Dedication and persistence are important this year. Also a great year for personal development. Your efforts will be rewarded!
Rooster:
This is your year. A time of feeling confident, relaxed and in control. Your organization and determination will pay off handsomely this year. A time to move boldly forward!
Dog:
Not an easy year for the Dog, with some disappointments ahead. However, there will be some lucky breaks for the dog with happy times. A year of ups and downs.
Pig:
A pleasant and rewarding year and one of opportunity, mixed with some struggles. A great year for the Pig's personal life.
For
more details on your Animal Sign and the year ahead for you,
Chinese
Astrology web site gives forecasts for the year to come.
Celebrating
Chinese New Years.
The days
before Chinese New Year’s are spent thoroughly cleaning
and decorating the home (often with red banners, as red is
considered especially auspicious), preparing special foods,
getting a haircut and mending old clothes. Everything is meant
to look fresh and new to set the tone of the coming year.
Red
is said to be the luckiest color and most celebrants decorate
their homes with red banners and dress in red for the celebrations.
 Ideas
for celebrating:
Host a Chinese potluck and invite your friends and family
over to celebrate the Chinese New Year with you. Be sure to
decorate your home with red!
If there is a large Chinese community in your town or city,
check to see what will be going on. Often dragon dances, parades
and other festivities are scheduled and open to the public.
Check your local listings or contact the local Chinese cultural
centre or cultural association. The bright and open celebrations
are not to be missed!
Red paper scrolls: Chun lian are special Chinese couplets, often written on red paper, which are hung outside the front door of houses and businesses. The sayings are meant to bring luck and fortune to the dwelling for the coming year. Check out the following pages to learn more about chun lian and how to write a common Chinese verses in the beautiful Chinese calligraphy.
http://www.chinapage.com/duilian/chunlian0.html
http://www.chinatown-online.co.uk/pages/learn/class_newyear.html
http://www.newton.mec.edu/Angier/DimSum/new_year_g.html
Red Packets- Hongbao, or red packets filled with money, are given to children on Chinese New Year’s by parents, grandparents, friends and other relatives to symbolize luck and wealth. Making red packets is a fun family activity that is easy enough for even young kids and a couple of dollars put into each makes them a well-received gift. Check out the following page for directions on how to make them:
http://www.chinatown-online.co.uk/pages/new_year/class_packet.html
Paper Lanterns The Spring Festival (Chinese New Year’s) lasts for 15 days and is marked at the end of it by the lantern festival (Yunxiao). Celebrating the first full moon of the year, paper lanterns were traditionally carried into the streets for a community parade and were often accompanied by fabulous folk dances, including the dragon dance. Try making paper lanterns to hang around your home as part of your Chinese New Year’s celebrations. Directions can be found at:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/chinesenewyear/lantern/
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