Happy Year of the Rooster January 28, 2017 00:30
Happy Lunar New Year! January 28th marks the start of the Lunar New Year as well as the Year of the Rooster. 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 Rooster is the tenth sign of the Chinese Zodiac with the others being the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey Dog, and Pig. Don't know what zodiac sign you are? Look it up on this guide I created here: 
According to Chinese tradition, a person’s birth sign has a profound influence on personality and destiny. People born in the Year of the Rooster are outspoken, quick-witted, keenly observant, resourceful and have a strong independent spirit. Though abundantly practical, Roosters are also big dreamers. Overly blunt at times, which may offend some, Roosters are open and honest. Constantly seeking wisdom and truth, Roosters have a pioneering spirit. Notable people born in the Year of the Rooster include Confucius, Henry Ford, Cate Blanchett, Benjamin Franklin, Michael Caine, Katherine Hepburn, Eleanor Roosevelt, Steve Martin, Beyoncé Knowles, Van Morrison, Yoko Ono, Dolly Parton, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lopez, Rudyard Kipling, and Serena Williams.
For the wee ones, download a printable zodiac coloring sheet/placemat that I created here. Also, please take a look at a board book I created a few years ago, My Lucky Little Dragon, which offers a fun, simple introduction to the animals of the Chinese Zodiac.
Wishing you all happiness, prosperity, and good fortune! CHEERS!
xo-Joyce