Abstract
Traditionally people try to finish unfinished business, settle debts or bury differences of opinion and fights so that the new year can begin anew. In harmony with most festivals, New Year celebrations are based around the family. The family comes together and traditional activities include burning incense for ancestors, preparing special food and visiting friends to exchange presents. Children are given gifts of money wrapped in lucky red paper envelopes. The date for the start of each new lunar year is calculated to coincide with the appearance of the new moon and so it varies, usually occurring at the end of January or start of February. The Chinese calendar names the years after different animals in a twelve year sequence (an advantage to us old teachers who remember the twelve times tables and a challenge for the students). The sequence is Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. People born in a certain year are felt to take on particular personality traits associated with the animal.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Square One |
| Publication status | Published - 2007 |
Keywords
- mathematics
- study and teaching (primary)