Epress.am News from Armenia
On Jan. 23, China celebrates the Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, since the spring season in the Chinese calendar begins with the first solar term in the Chinese calendar.
This year is considered particularly auspicious because it is the year of the water dragon, an event that happens only once every 60 years. Furthermore, the dragon is the only mythical creature among the dozen animals that represent each year in the Chinese zodiac.
On the days immediately before the New Year celebration, Chinese families give their home a thorough cleaning. On New Year’s Eve, families gather for the reunion dinner, after which some families go to the temple hours before the new year begins to pray for a prosperous new year and light incense. Lighting fireworks or firecrackers as part of the celebrations is also common.
In Chinese culture, it is considered good fortune to be born during the year of the dragon, and so many mothers are trying to get pregnant. Many hope that the symbol, long associated with emperors, power and intelligence, will bring wealth and luck.
