2012 Chinese New Year Guide

As we ring in the Chinese New Year of the Dragon is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. In China, it is known as "Spring Festival." In Chinese tradition, each year is dedicated to a specific animal. The Dragon, Horse, Monkey, Rat, Boar, Rabbit, Dog, Rooster, Ox, Tiger, Snake, and Ram are the twelve animals that are part of this tradition. In 2012, the Dragon is back again after the 2011 year of the Rabbit. Each of these animals is thought to impart their characteristics upon the people born in that specific animals' year.

The 2012 Chinese New Year ushers in the Water Dragon. Water creates a calming influence on the Dragon's internal fire. Water Dragons are more open to other people's opinions than other Dragons which give them the ability to channel their personal charm into real-world, quantifiable leadership qualities.

This "Spring Festival" is a time to welcome longevity, wealth and prosperity and to eliminate any negative chi (defined as life energy, life for or just energy) from the past. This fourteen-day celebration is very symbolic to the Chinese, and has many important aspects of what people should and should not do. People born under the Dragon are passionate, brave-hearted and self-assured. Dragons are generous with their resources, but sometimes to a fault, leading them to be foolhardy with money. But Dragons in general are blessed with good fortune. They are smart, industrious, and enterprising and also have a wicked sense of humor.

Chinese New Year is celebrated in countries and territories with significant Chinese populations, such as Mainland China, Tibet, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Macau, Indonesia, Macau, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and also in Chinatowns throughout the United States. Chinese New Year has had influence on the lunar new year celebrations of its geographic neighbors, as well as cultures that the Chinese people have had extensive interaction.

Famous celebrities born in under the Dragon include John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Al Pacino, Marlene Dietrich and Matt Dillon.

Year of the Dragon Lucky Money - Now Available

Washington DC 2012 limited Lucky Money Dragon incorporates traditional Chinese symbolism.

Officially issued on Monday, January 23, 2012, an uncirculated $1 USD Federal Reserve note (with a lucky repetition of numbers) and a $5 RNB (official currency of the People's Republic of China) have been placed in red envelope with a distinctive gold Dragon to honor the Chinese Lunar calendar and harmony between China and the United States.

The number 6 represents good fortune and prosperity, signifying success in the New Year. Children will be delighted to receive these red envelopes. Do not miss out in purchasing this rare collectible.

2012 Chinese New Year Event Calendar

The 2012 Chinese New Year: Year of the Dragon begins on January 23rd and is celebrated for two consecutive weeks. The Spring Festival ends on the 15th day with the Lantern festival. Our DC Event Calendar highlights some of the fun and interesting celebrations throughout Washington, DC during this period.

January 23 - Beginning of the New Year
January 29 - New Years Parade in Chinatown
February 21 - The Lantern Ceremony

Image Gallery - Washington DC Chinese New Year Parade

Each year a parade is held in Chinatown in Washington, DC to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The event features the traditional Chinese Dragon Dance, Kung Fu demonstrations and live musical entertainment. The Chinese New Year is a 15-day event that starts with the New Moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. The first day of the year can fall anywhere between late January and the middle of February.

The Chinese New Year is the longest and most important festivity in the Chinese Lunar Calendar. The origin of Chinese New Year is itself centuries old and gains significance because of several myths and traditions. Ancient Chinese New Year is a reflection on how the people behaved and what they believed in the most. VIEW GALLERY