Updated 01 February 2003, 11.30

"Chinese New Year - the Spring Festival - is a very old celebration that is based on the lunar calendar and falls between 21 January and 19 February.

			Fact File
	The 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac
		Rat
		Ox
		Tiger
		Rabbit
		Dragon
		Snake
		Horse
		Ram
		Monkey
		Rooster
		Dog
		Pig

One of the legends is that 12 animals were quarrelling to see who would have the years named after them.

The Gods held a contest to see who arrived at the other side of a riverbank first, after completing a race.

The order the animals arrived in determined the order of their years. This year is the Year of the Ram/Sheep.

Fireworks and dragons

My friend Chang says in China families get together and have a huge feast, and in cities and communities people gather to watch fireworks, lion dances and dragon dances.

There is a tradition that people put up floral displays, lanterns and red banners that depict greetings and wish people Happy New Year and Good Luck.

Traditional food

They stay up till midnight and eat traditional food like dumplings, or 'jiao zi', the Chinese word for dumplings.

Children receive money in red envelopes as presents from their parents and the festivities last for two weeks.

Man writes on a well-wishing banner

There is also a live broadcast of an annual show in which there are performances, dancing, comedy, and songs.

No day off

In the UK Chinese people have parties with their friends and families, but don't get the day off like in China.

This year in Leeds, I'm performing a piece of Baroque music with my brother Xun, and my friends Geri and Jessica at a joint celebration on Saturday.

We're also performing at the Town Hall on Sunday in a party organised by the Leeds Chinese Association.

I'm a bit nervous because there will be over 1,500 people watching!"

Yi, 15, Leeds

More Info

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Past Stories
	Happy New Year of the Horse!

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	Chinatown Online
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