Happy Lunar New Year! February 8, 2016 17:31

Happy New Year...again! February 8th marks the start of the Lunar New Year as well as the Year of the Monkey. Although the holiday is also known as Chinese New Year, the Chinese aren't the only ones who observe it. The holiday is also celebrated in other Asian countries including Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, and Taiwan. The Lunar New Year lasts for 15 days and is like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years rolled up into one giant celebration! For the Chinese in particular, the Lunar New Year is celebrated with big family dinners, the exchange of "lucky money" contained in red envelopes, and vibrant, lively festivals with lion dancing and firecrackers.

The lunar calendar is based upon the cycles of the moon and has 12 animals signs, one to represent each year of the cycle. The Monkey is the ninth sign of the Chinese Zodiac with the others being the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Don't know what zodiac sign you are? Look it up on this guide I created here: 

zodiac zoo guide

According to Chinese tradition, a person’s birth sign has a profound influence on personality and destiny. People born in the Year of the Monkey are charming, clever, inventive, witty, and restless. They are great strategists and problem solvers and can spot an opportunity in any form. Monkeys are usually successful in any field they choose. However, because of their restless nature, Monkeys can be impatient. When things develop in unexpected ways, they can become irritable and upset. They can also be stubborn and unwilling to listen to other people's advice or ideas. Notable people born in the Year of the Monkey include Leonardo da Vinci, Charles Dickens, Celine Dion, Tom Hanks, Will Smith, Halle Berry, Diana Ross, Elizabeth Taylor, Mick Jagger, Jennifer Aniston, Kim Kardashian, Julius Caesar, Bette Davis, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Betsy Ross. 

If you're looking for a fun way for the kids to celebrate, download a printable zodiac coloring sheet and placemat that I created here!

Here's to a New Year full of Happiness and Prosperity! CHEERS!

xo-Joyce

monkey wood card