When is Chinese New Year? What is it About Oxen and Rats?
Chinese New Year is a traditional festivity celebrated not only in China, but in many countries in Asia and in Chinatowns around the world. The history of Chinese New Year dates back more than 4,000 years and has its roots in the growing cycle of the land, since China was back then an agricultural society. Chinese New Year marked the end of winter, and the earth coming back to life as the new budding season began in the spring. That is why Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival. Chinese New Year’s Day is on the first day of the Lunar Calendar, as opposed to the Gregorian Calendar, so it could fall either in January or February. In 2009, Chinese New Year is on January 26, 2009. This will be the year of the Ox. According to Chinese mythology, each year is assigned an animal. Every twelve years, a new moon cycle begins, and therefore, there are twelve animals in the Chinese Zodiac: The Rat, the Ox, the Tiger, the Rabbit, the Dragon, the Snake, the Horse, the Goat, the Monke
