»Issue 1, Volume 1                          www.scarbrough-intl.com                         » January 23, 2007  

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CHINESE NEW YEAR

2007 Chinese New Year is the year of the Boar or Ding Hai.  It begins on February 18th and lasts for 15 days for most Asian countries.  Chinese New Year starts with the New Moon on the first day of the new year (Chinese NY) and ends on the Full Moon 15 days later. 

Many Asian companies will be closed the Friday before CNY (02/16/07). Some will only be closed the first week, but some stay closed the entire holiday.   

Chinese New Year is observed as a public holiday in a number of countries and territories where a sizeable Chinese population resides. Since Chinese New Year falls on different dates on the Gregorian calendar every year on different days of the week, some of these governments opt to shift working days in order to accommodate a longer public holiday. Also like many other countries in the world, a statutory holiday is added on the following work day when the New Year falls on the weekend. 

The following is a list of beliefs that vary according to dialect groups / individuals.

• Buying a pair of shoes is considered bad luck. The word "shoes" is a homonym to the word for "rough" in Cantonese.

• Buying a pair of pants is considered bad luck. The word "pants" is a homonym to the word for "bitter" in Cantonese. (Although some perceive it to be positive as the word 'pants' in Cantonese could be a homonym to the word for "wealth".)

• A hair-cut is considered bad luck. The word "hair" is a homonym to the word for "prosperity". Thus "cutting hair" could be perceived as "cutting your prosperity" in Cantonese.

• Candy is eaten to ensure the eater a "sweet" year.

• Sweeping the floor is considered bad luck, as it will sweep away the good fortune and luck for the new year; as for having a bath will wash away the good fortune.

• Talking about death is inappropriate for the first few days of Chinese New Year, as it is considered inauspicious as well.

• Buying books is bad luck, because it is a homonym to the word "lose".

• Opening windows and/or doors is considered to 'bring in' the good luck of the new year.

• Switching on the lights for the night is considered good luck to 'scare away' ghosts and misfortunate spirits that may compromise the luck and fortune of the new year.

In China, the Pig ( 亥 ) (a more correct form would be the Boar) is associated with fertility and virility. To bear children in the year of the pig is considered very fortunate, for they will be happy and honest.

The Pig type is usually an honest, straightforward and patient person. He/she is a modest, shy character who prefers to work quietly behind the scenes. When others despair, he/she is often there to offer support. This type of person is reserved with those they do not know too well, but as time passes and they gain confidence, those around them may discover a lively and warm-hearted person behind that mask of aloofness. Despite those born in the year of pig having a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, they have few close friends who understand them and share their inner thoughts and feelings. It is easy to put trust in pig type; he/she won't let you down and will never even attempt to do so. Such people simply want to do everything right according to social norms.

It is important to remember that these people are not vengeful creatures. If someone tries to take advantage of him/her, the pig type tend to withdraw to reflect on the problem and protect themselves. All they need in such situations is a little time to find a constructive way to respond. The people of the pig type are conservative creatures of habit. They dislike being made to travel too far from familiar surroundings, unless it is a trip to the countryside. They love nature and are never happier than when they are out somewhere, far from the city.

There is a tolerant and peaceful side to their character. Such people are never afraid to allow others their freedom of expression; they do not want to cause arguments and if there is any way to avoid arguing, they will probably take this option. They are not weak, however, and if the situation forces them to fight these people will rise to the occasion, whether it is to defend themselves or those close to them. People of the Pig type are the most admired by others.

SOURCE: www.wikipedia.org

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