Year of Rooster!
In over-crossing the last day of the old year and 1st day of the new, we say "Gor Nin".
Legend said...thousands of year ago, there was a fierce beast "Nin". In the last day of every year, "Nine"would come to villeges to find food - living stocks or other living things.
So on that day, people bringing their families and living-stocks up to the mountain to escape.
When next day came - the first day of the new year - they returned home. On the way, they fired fire-crackers to scare the "Nin" away. To make sure their relatives and friends were alright, they would change into new clothes, to visit, bringing along little red-envelopes with lucky-money inside for the youngsters, to wish them luck in the coming year.
To show their joy of being alive, they have dragon-dance and more fire-crackers.
The celebration will last for 15 days.
On the 15th day evening, people would have various kind of lanterns and riddles at the villege square for the younsters to admire (lanterns) and to solve (riddles).
Because of the large bunch of young boys and girls going out together, so this day is also called "Chinese Valentine Day".
All these have been carrying on for thousands of years.
MsJ, with your permission, I'd like to refresh our Chinese Zodiac by bringing in here the cycle of 12 animals
which form our Zodiac....
Thank you.
Best wishes to you all.
~Selina
