Tag: chinese new year

CNY Around the World

Chinese New Year Around The World

Origin of the New Year parades

In 1849, with the discovery of gold and the ensuing California Gold Rush, over 50,000 people had come to San Francisco to seek their fortune or just a better way of life. Among those were many Chinese, who had come to work in the gold mines and on the railroad.

By the 1860’s, the Chinese were eager to share their culture with those who were unfamiliar with it. They chose to showcase their culture by using a favorite American tradition — the Parade. Nothing like it had ever been done in their native China. They invited a variety of other groups from the city to participate, and they marched down what today are Grant Avenue and Kearny Street carrying colourful flags, banners, lanterns, and drums and firecrackers to drive away evil spirits.

CNY is widely celebrated among Chinese communities and particularly across Asian countries with dense Chinese populations. Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are buzzing with activity during this time and visitors can enjoy the many lion dances, street parades, firecracker explosions and – or course – abundance of food available in each country’s respective Chinatown.

Today, Chinese New Year parades are annual traditions across North America in cities with significant Chinese populations. Among the cities with such parades are San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, and Vancouver, British Columbia. However, even smaller cities that are historically connected to Chinese immigration, such as Butte, Montana, have recently hosted parades.

Ref: wikipedia

Lunar New Year in Taiwan

2009 Chinese Horoscope

Chinese Horoscope – The Year of Ox

The Rat

2009 will be an encouraging and positive year but the Rat will need to keep his eye on the world around him in order to avoid unnecessary pressures. Training and learning new skills in their careers will ensure financial security over the coming months and increased self-confidence. On the home front, this will be an excellent year for the Rat with at least one happy family occasion and
if they can manage it, an enjoyable family holiday. Romantically, this is the year to make great progress whether to meet someone new or take things to a new level with a special partner. May to September will be very favourable for socialising with September to December being important career-wise.

The Ox

The Ox sees overall improvements in his situation during his own year in 2009. The main area of enjoyment will be the interaction with others, either with friends and family or on a more romantic level. A key phrase to bear in mind this year is ‘hold fast’. There may be setbacks and delays in the general run of life, but keep calm and persist and all will be well. There will be an opportunity
to study and learn (in common with other signs this year) which should appeal to the Ox and there will be a huge sense of pride with what is achieved. Between May and July there are significant developments on the work front, in particular important talks with a boss or superior, while September to November sees very interesting and delightful romantic encounters!

The Tiger

2009 will be a challenging year for the Tiger, but it definitely lays the foundation for 2010 which is his own year. Discipline, concentration and focus will be of paramount importance to the Tiger this year. Keeping their eye on the end goal and dreams will stand to them throughout the year. Financial issues must be addressed seriously and spending should be done wisely. Romantically February to July could be very exciting but discretion must be used! The end of the year, November and December, will present excellent career opportunities for those Tigers ready to move up the job ladder.

The Rabbit

Slow and steady – this is how 2009 will progress for most Rabbits. Travel will also feature prominently in between a busy social life and an increased workload at their job. Friends and family mean the world to the Rabbit and their support and love this year will be especially important. Single Rabbits will likely meet a potential partner in a social situation and all will find that August and
September sparkle romantically! Careerwise, November is the best month to put themselves forward for a well-earned promotion or payrise. Artistic Rabbits could be approached regarding an exciting new project.

The Dragon

Most Dragons will have an increase in income during 2009 which will be very welcome. They will be strong and focussed in pursuing their objectives for the year. Dragons should take their time and appreciate any valuable advice they are given. Time should be made to enjoy hobbies and fun activities. Gossip could feature strongly during the year and all Dragons should take care not to indulge in idle chit chat lest in backfires on them! Socially, May to August will be a fun time with many Dragons taking their romances more seriously. March and April will bring intriguing job offers for those seeking a change in direction.

The Snake

For the Snake, 2009 will be quite fast-paced and demanding and they will need to remain flexible and positive to enjoy it. Romance features strongly and for the single Snake, this could be the year to start a serious relationship. Financially, impulse buys should be kept under control and risks should be minimised. 2009 will be an excellent year for self-discovery and reviewing recreational interests and hobbies. April to June will present great social opportunities and new friendships. October and November will shine on the work front.

The Horse

2009 will see the Horse making excellent progress in whatever area of his life he chooses. Finances will feature in a positive way as well with a possible increase in income. They should take care, however, to manage their money wisely and make plans. Balance needs to be maintained between work time and leisurely pursuits in order to stay healthy and centered. The Horse will have a tendency to overdo things this year. January to March will be fortuitous for changing jobs while April and December will favor romantic pursuits – for those attached, these months could bring news of an engagement!

The Goat

The Goat need not feel on his own in 2009 as there will be much support and friendship to help him in this busy year. With so much going on in all areas of his life, the Goat would do well to plan ahead and take his time in making decisions. Money-wise, the Goat needs to curb his enthusiasm for spending and exercise some self-discipline or problems may arise later! July to September will present many social events and possibilities for love and romance. Short trips and travel are well aspected in August and October for all Goats.

The Monkey

The Monkey’s fine creative streak can be put to excellent use in 2009 if he concentrates on one task at a time rather than attempting many projects at once. With keeping so busy, the Monkey needs to watch his own health and allow adequate time for work, rest and fun. On the home front, there may be celebrations and happy family gatherings throughout the year. The Monkey’s love life will shine also with many getting engaged or meeting someone very special. March to July will be particularly busy socially. November will be an excellent time for work-related promotions or recognition.

The Rooster

2009 will run along the themes of enthusiasm, planning and determination, all of which suit the Rooster perfectly! At home and with family, life will run much smoother and will be a source of happiness and security for all Roosters. Money matters are well starred also this year with either a pay rise, a surprise bonus or both! Hobbies and travelling look prominent as well, with pleasant
pursuits greatly enjoyed during the year. July to September will favor career moves and travel is highlighted towards October.

The Dog

The Dog will find a busier social life and more friends during 2009. This will be a challenging year on the work front, but Dogs should take a deep breath, be patient and remain steadfast. Solid foundations are being built for the very favorable Year of the Tiger in 2010. Travel will be particularly enjoyable and home life will be very special in 2009. October to December will be very
interesting regarding new job opportunities. May and November will see romance beautifully highlighted with many happy social get-togethers.

The Pig

2009 should prove to be a lucky and encouraging year for all Pigs. Interesting offers and chance meetings can occur at any time of the year and the Pig needs to be alert and aware for any lucky breaks. With such a hectic year, it’s important for the Pig to make time for fun and relaxation and travel may be one way to do this. It’s also an excellent year to review his diet and fitness regime, as he needs to be in top form for such an active schedule. April to July will bring happy times for love and relationships, while August and September bring interesting offers on the work front, particularly in relation to publishing and writing.

2009 Chinese Horoscope

Chinese Horoscope

The Year of Rat

Rat: 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008

The clever rat has made many ambitious plans that will be put into action this year. Good fortune and good times will surround the rat in this year of glory. Easy social grace is a gift of those born in this sign, but trusted close friends and family are the center that the rat needs to secure prosperity. Beware of the battle of earth and water that may confuse the scurrying rat. This beginning of the year will see the rat tempted by many flirtatious relationships. Faithfulness and loyalty are difficult with so many admiring glances. Understand the fear of those you care for as you seem to be drawn to many new relationships. Take steps to avoid damage to your true partners. As the year passes the successful rat will see more serious relationships bear fruit. Although the rat is a water sign, boat cruises are not a good vacation plan. Travel to exotic lands to explore,meet new people and experience adventure may be the perfect honeymoon. With the influence of the earth aspects of this year, promises of commitments become real and those born in this sign may experience the blessings of marriage and of children added to their family. The rat who cannot focus on success will be misled and find much conflict and many uncomfortable scenes caused by straying from a match that will bring good fortune. When prosperity and love come easily they may not be treated with respect. The rat who will succeed is the one who remembers that greed and manipulation may bring quick victories but ultimately strengthen enemies. The cat is ever watchful of the rat who stole its place. Listen to the guidance of ancestors, loved ones and trusted friends. Beware of the flattery of casual admiration to completely fulfill the promise of extreme good fortune that this year holds.

Ox : 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997

The year of the earth rat brings good more good fortune for the steady ox. The solid back that carried the rat across the river will be well rewarded. The influence of the Brown Earth Rat means a prosperous and healthy year for the ox but the influence of water will make the year interesting. There will be many choices that will lead to success if the ox remains true to the earth nature. Do not follow on paths that seem to lead to easy success. The wise ox knows that perseverance brings permanent good fortune. While your hard work will begin to bring rewards in this last half of this year, the real success awaits in the year of the ox that is coming. Conflicts and confusion can be a problem in the beginning of the year as water and earth elements of the Brown Earth Rat seek balance. Attention to romantic relationships will bring harmony but neglect will bring conflict. Giving tokens of affection will bring great rewards. Do not be obstinate in your business or personal relationships. The last few months will feel the influence of the upcoming sign of the ox strengthening and lead to full serenity. Wait until then to make those difficult decisions.

Tiger : 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998

The wild tiger prospered in the year of the dog and the pig. The rat year will change the good fortune of the large cat. While not the enemy that the true cat is, there is still some adversity. Both business and personal relationships will be a challenge. You may find many flirtatious moments but they will not lead to serious commitments. You will need to rely on family to move through this confusing time. Happy relationships will suffer from conflict in the early part of the year, but attention to romance and faithfulness will return good fortune. At work you will also feel these conflicts. You will be more aware of criticism from coworkers and employers. Learn to control your aggressive nature when responding to this and you will find prosperity. Use your abundant energy to turn dreams of success into real plans that will bring rewards as the year ends. Be careful to avoid excesses in work and all things physical especially in the last half of the year.

Rabbit : 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999

Many rabbits will find the year of the earth rat unusually fortunate if they can control the tendency to hop about. The rat is not normally a harmonious sign for the rabbit, but this brown earth rat year remembers that both are rodents and does not confuse the rabbit with the cat. Flirtation, romance and marriage lie in wait for the amorous rabbit. The conflict will be to find harmony between the three. Take care not to endanger a possible life long love by continued flirtation. Looking for perfection instead of happiness in love can cause grief. At work the urge to pick on the shortcomings of coworkers and find dissatisfaction with a good position will cause unhappiness. This may be an auspicious time to make changes in your career path with the earth influences fueling new growth for you, but be sure that the change comes from a positive source. Moving toward prosperity will bring a positive cycle, running from adversity will not. Whether you decide to stay or go, a focus on the positive aspects of your current position will lead to long term success and good fortune through the upcoming cycle.

Dragon : 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000

The rat is a good friend to the dragon. The new cycle that starts this year will bring prosperity to the dragon after what may seem like a long time of struggle. The stream of good fortune that you saw coming your way in a trickle last year will reach fullness this year. Your energy is strong after resting in the year of the pig and you will find that difficulties are able to be overcome. You will need energy to keep up with the social whirl coming your way. While much of your focus will be on friendships and love, put some of that energy toward career networking opportunities that will develop this year and will benefit you throughout the next cycle. The conservative nature of this rat year may give moments of frustration to the dragon who cannot tame a fiery nature. This is a time to begin ventures that will benefit from the steady nurturing earth influence but you will need patience and persistence to see them through to success. The signs are very good for your soul mate to appear. Take care to recognize this most special person or the opportunity may be lost in your busy social life. Home influences are strong and if you have been dreaming of a major purchase – of a home or for your home – this year is a good time to see the dream fulfilled.

Snake : 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001

This year will find the energetic rat providing a wonderland of opportunities to the awakening snake. Show your true self and be honest with those who care about you. This may be difficult for the snake who is used to keeping tightly coiled, but there will be little need to use your venom to protect yourself this year. Happiness will be abundant in relationships with friends and family as long as you can uncoil. Successful results in business, especially new ventures, lie ahead for you. Your ability to take quick, decisive actions and make the right decisions will be a great benefit to your career. This may lead you to some big opportunities that you will be ready to take advantage of. Curb the impulsive to spend unwisely. Earth influences favor conservative spending for the snake, but with energy flowing so strongly, you may not be able to resist a quick buy that can turn out to be a mistake .

Horse : 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002

The horse is not happy to find the rat in its barn. Distracted by the energy of the rat, the horse will be easy prey to others. By nature, the horse listens more to what the heart says, but this year it is the head that will give the best advice. Take comfort in the company of close friends and family and also make sure to exercise, eat well and keep a regular schedule. These will weave a blanket that protects you from the blasts of ill fortune and physical distress that the rat year can bring. Try not to let your nervousness cause conflicts at home and work. This is not a time to start new ventures or make major decisions. Plans for the future are the way to take advantage of your time. Building knowledge about your career through job training or education will move you ahead without danger. Plan inexpensive, relaxing vacations with friends and family to clear your confusion and find peace.

Sheep / Goat : 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003

The rat year brings sheep romance that may be true love, but overall the year will seem less positive than what you may be used to. The year may see unhappiness in romantic relationships. Accepting your part in the disharmony will help to return happiness. In this area, your family may be part of the problem. A trip to a faraway land brings calm back to your love life, but beware of seeming to promise more than you are willing to give. Foolish decisions in the early part of the year can bring ill fortune for this cycle. Seek the advice of family and trusted friends before making hasty decisions about money or career. There are many opportunities but choosing the best path is important. The rat offers chances for learning and culture. Looking at the past or cultures that are different from your own may lead to knowledge that will bring success in personal and business ventures. Find a group that will offer you the chance to talk about these things. Travel to new places adds to the good fortune and gives you a chance to spend energy in growth instead of following roads that will lead to dead ends.

Monkey : 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004

The Monkey who has worked hard will see many rewards in the year of the rat. The year may start off slow, but by the end of March the full richness of the rat year will be evident and continue through the year. The battle of earth and water can bring confusion. Tolerance helps you to avoid making enemies by judging friends or coworkers too harshly. Overall the rat is a good friend to the monkey and provides many chances to find good fortune in love and in your career. Take your time in picking the best of these. Avoid the temptation to spend unwisely. This is a year for saving, not spending. The right decisions will see the foundation of a comfortable nest egg building during the rest of the cycle. Enjoy your good fortune.

Rooster : 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005

Rooster will find many challenges to overcome during the rat year. Energy is high, but much of it is not positive and there is stress ahead for the rooster. Quick decisions and emotional outbursts will lead to trouble. Keep a positive attitude and pace yourself. Make a plan for your time and your money and stick to it. Relationships will be unsteady if the crowing rooster shows aggression. When that urge appears, step back and use your strong intellect to analyze the problem and create a positive outcome. Matters of money and career will also need this steady approach. The rat year favors learning and you can overcome many negative aspects at work by seeking training and sharing your knowledge with coworkers. Remember that what you do this year will follow you throughout the cycle, so keep that positive attitude intact and build a foundation for the upswing in your fortunes in the coming years.

Dog: 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006

The dog continues to find good fortune as the rat opens a new cycle. Family and friends are more important than ever this year, but avoid pressure from this source on business and financial decisions. Relationships that began in this pig year may be a source of good fortune in this new 12 year cycle. Don’t be afraid to let superiors and coworkers see your skills. Accept both the praise and advice that comes to you from this source. Keep your focus as you may find yourself drawn to chasing the rat, but don’t be timid when the time comes to make decisions that will bring change and good fortune.

Boar : 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007

The pig still enjoys the benefits of good fortune as the new cycle begins. The fire pig, those born in 1947 and 2007, will be especially fortunate in the year of the earth rat, but anyone born in a pig year will find the rat year bringing good fortune. This year promises success in romance and there may be marriage in the year ahead. Finances are no problem for you this year, but be careful of those who would take advantage asking for loans or applying pressure for you to make a major purchase or investment. Steady work will move your career into places you had not expected. Be open to the energy and excitement that this new cycle brings, but conserve your physical strength. There is a pig tendency to push too hard. There is no need to exhaust yourself in seeking prosperity — especially in the second half of the year.
Ref: Cliff.com