2008 is the Year of the Rat, the first animal in the 12 year lunar cycle of the Chinese calendar. The cycle starts with the rat, followed by the ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. According to one legend, the Jade Emperor invited all the animals to participate in a race; twelve showed up, and the signs of the Chinese zodiac were named for each animal in the order they finished the race. Are you a rat? If you were born in 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996 or 2008, you are, but that’s not a bad thing because in Chinese philosophy, the rat is associated with material success, cleverness, hard work, discipline and a passionate nature.
Chinese New Year
The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. The festival begins on the first day of the first lunar month – in 2008 it falls on February 7th – and continues until the fifteenth day and the Festival of the Lanterns. In China, the New Year is a time to celebrate families and new beginnings. People prepare for weeks ahead, cleaning their homes from top to bottom, repairing and repainting, settling debts and clearing away traces of the old year to bring good luck for the New Year. Fire, which according to legend can drive away bad luck, is symbolized by red clothes, red decorations and fireworks.
Take a look at the Chinese New Year display in the Adult Library. Chinese books, pictures, chopsticks, foo dogs, jade jewelry and other treasures will be on display throughout the month of February.
