The Year of the Rat - Chinese New Year
Under the Chinese calendar, the new year of 4705, the year of the rat, will begin on February 7th.
People born under the sign of the rat are said to be natural leaders. They are considered to be charismatic and charming but also practical, meticulous and hardworking. But they can also be controlling and somewhat self-promoting.
According to legend, a mythological Chinese man-eating beast named Nián, leaves his home every year around the second full moon of winter. His home was in the sea or the mountains (depending on the version of the story) and he would feed on humans. To scare him away, people used gongs, fireworks and other loud noises to scare him away.
In some regions of Asia that celebrate the New Year, people clean their homes on the day before the new year to avoid having to clean during the New Year celebration. That way, they can avoid the risk of sweeping away good luck brought with the new year.
The New Year festival is actually about 15 days long. Many days have special traditions. On day:
1 - People visit their oldest relatives.
2 - Married daughters visit their parents and all dogs celebrate a birthday.
3 - Visit family grave sites.
4 - Avoid visiting relatives, as the fried food eaten on days 1 and 2 may cause arguments.
5 - Feast on dumplings.
7 - Everyone celebrates their birthday, except royalty. A colorful raw fish salad is a common meal.
9 - Prayers of thanksgiving are offered.
15 - The New Year is celebrated with the Lantern Festival.
The annual Washington, DC Chinese New Year’s parade down H Street, in the heart of Chinatown, will include marching bands, entertainers, and the ever-lovable dancing dragons.
And of you want to wish someone Happy New Year, tell them “Congratulations and be prosperous“. The congratulations is for surviving and not being eaten by Nián.
Remember to dress warm!!
Chinese New Year Parade
H Street, NW, between 6th and 8th Streets
Washington, DC (map it)
Dates and Times - Sunday, Feb. 10th, 2008 (aka 4705), the parade starts at 2:00 p.m. and lasts about 3 hours.
Tickets - No tickets required - free. Bring a folding chair for comfortable curb-side viewing.
Nearest Metro Subway Station - Gallery Place/Chinatown, Green, Yellow and Red lines, then a 3-block walk or use the DC Circulator.
Parking - Street and paid garage parking is available in the area.
Images - Flickr
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