Xin Nian Kuai Le!

Today was the first day of Chinese year 4707. It was welcomed in last night with a thunderous explosion of fireworks which broke out over Beijing and continued through the night, lit by people welcoming in the year of the Ox. As I write this a night later, the night outside is a continuous barrage of sound and light. I now really know the meaning of the word "boom".



Chinese New Year is calculated by the lunar calendar, one of the calendars used by the Chinese. Chinese New Year, also called Spring Festival, starts with the New Moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. Chinese years are named in a twelve year cycle after animals, and each year is believed to have certain characteristics, as are the people born in those years. People born in the Year of the Ox are said to be patient, speak little, inspire confidence in others, are mentally and physically alert, generally easy-going, can be stubborn and hate to fail or be opposed. I wonder if there is an inbuilt need for horoscopes throughout humanity? This coming year of the Ox has been described as prosperity through fortitude and perseverance - very apt at the moment.

It is a supremely happy time; the equivalent of our Christmas. Shopping malls are decorated to within an inch of their lives with twinkly lights, red money trees and lanterns.

Chinese workers usually get a week of holiday over Chinese New Year to spend time at home with their families and visiting relatives. It is a family affair, a time of reunion and thanksgiving and feasting. The celebration was traditionally highlighted with a religious ceremony given in honor of Heaven and Earth, the gods of the household and the family ancestors, uniting living family members with those who have passed away.

I went for an after-dinner walk this evening, along with the people with their little dogs. It's pleasant, though cold, and the river next to us is still mostly frozen. Walking around at the moment can cause some heart-stopping moments as someone lets off a loud firework in close proximity. Doorways are decorated with traditional and not-so-traditional paper cutouts of oxen, scrolls with poetry on each side and red chinese lanterns. People wish you "Xin Nian Kuai Le" - "Happy New Year".

Here's the doorway into what I think might be a shop in the little ordinary hutong community next to our apartments.

Here's the entrance of our very own Richmond Park Apartments:

Not to be outdone, I've decorated our own doorway with our very own New Year decorations. Happy new year everyone!