Chinese New Year is February 8th, and it’s a perfect time to revisit your New Year plans from January 1 and re-energize your wishes.  Since I truly believe we make our own luck, it’s a fun time to think about all the ingenious ways you can make more luck for yourself this year!

The Year Of The Fire Rooster starts January 28th, 2017.  While I don’t read the predictions because they are laden with superstition when they are computer generated  &  contain lots of “luck predictions” that I prefer to avoid, I do love the themes of each Chinese New Year and the energy of the year this year is super active and playful and full of fire energy!

Here’s much more about the Chinese New Year along with some ways you can make the most of this time.

Like many traditions, Chinese New Year was initiated out of myth and urban legend. The ancient Chinese believed that Nien or when translated, “year”, was a beast and would ruin towns, villages, and people at the start of a new year. In order to chase this creature away, the Chinese set off loud noises and shone bright lights, or firecrackers. As all traditions somehow evolve and change over time, modern Chinese New Year celebrates  a year of hard work.  It’s a time to have a much-deserved rest and focus in on an exciting New Year.
The Chinese New Year is a key celebration and those who celebrate and honor the tradition begin preparing for this 15 day long event up to a month in advance.

Some important rituals stand out when securing a prosperous New Year in the traditional sense (and you’ll need to start now!) :

• Wearing red underwear. The Chinese believe that red is a lucky color. You will also see many decorations at festivals are predominately red to promote luck.
• No tears. The idea is to not cry around this time.
• Praying at temple. One of the most important things to do leading up to the new year is to pray for a happy, healthy and prosperity-filled New Year.
• Don’t ask anyone for a loan or money.  This is considered bad luck and will not reap a prosperous year
• Here are a few to start now: No washing hair or cleaning your home 3 days before the New Year. Chinese people believe that you will be washing away all the good luck you have been garnering.
• Get a new outfit for the Chinese New Year.

New Year’s Eve dinner (January 27 into the 28th)  is considered to be the most important meal of the year. This is traditionally called the “reunion dinner” and fish is usually served to bring money and luck in the New Year.  Small red envelopes filled with money are also passed out to bring abundance in the New Year. Fire crackers are also very important as they represent chasing away the past and bringing in the new. On the 5th day of the New Year celebrations, firecrackers are considered to be an integral part of Jie Cai Ceng – Welcoming the Gods of Wealth and Prosperity.

You can, in your own way: get clear on your intentions for the year and write them down or put them in a jar like a wish jar with a few coins for prosperous energy, have a great Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner, join in New Year festivities and get into the spirit of a fresh start all over again.

It’s a great time to recommit to your Resolutions and celebrate your life!

xoxo Dana

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