By the Chinese calendar, the year 2012 is actually 4709, a year of the Dragon. The Chinese New Year will begin January 23, 2012. Chinese New Year is celebrated on the second new moon after the
winter solstice.Firecrackers
and noisemakers will chase away evil spirits. The fabulous dragon and
lion will dance in the streets. People will wear red, the most
auspicious of colors, and red envelopes with lucky money will be given
to children.
Tangerines are often given for good luck, but odd numbers
are unlucky, so the tangerines are given in pairs. The third day of the
new year is the day the mice marry off their daughters, so people go to
bed early, so they don’t disturb the mice.
