All About the Lunar New Year 2016 – The Year of Fire Monkey

What is the duration of the Lunar New Year 2016?

How is the Lunar New Year celebrated

How the Lunar New Year 2016, The year of Fire Monkey being celebrated

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The Chinese New Year or the Lunar New Year 2016 begins today i.e. February 8 and ends on January 27, 2017. This is the year of Fire Monkey. The countries that celebrate Chinese New year in a big way other than China and Hong Kong are Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, North Korea, and South Korea. London is the only place in Europe that celebrated it in a grand manner. People in these countries who celebrate it gather at the temples and make their new year wishes. Most of the people prefer to wear traditional and festive dresses. Dancers in their traditional costumes perform at their best. In Australia, the Sydney Opera House honors the occasion in a big way. The roads in the cities are illuminated with lights (red light this year to symbolize the fire). Lanterns are also used widely for the occasion. London will be starting the celebrations after February 14, after the valentine day.

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There are many themes that are selected for the celebration of the Lunar New Year. Family day based on the new year theme is organized. Magical Lantern Festival is one of the major attraction. Long dragons are designed and decorated. The occasion is celebrated in a grand and fantastico manner. The date and duration of Chinese New Year change every year because it is based on the Chinese lunisolar calendar. It is also known as the Spring Festival. A day before the start of new year celebrations and festivities begin. The grand celebrations long for 16 days. This overlaps with the Lantern Festival that goes until the 15^th day of the new year.

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A Chinese New Year is based on the Chinese Zodiac system that is comprised of 12 animals. Each year symbolizes one of the 12 animals. There are 12 houses or blocks in the Chinese Zodiac. There is a major difference between the Western Zodiac system and Chinese Zodiac system. The western zodiac system also has 12 houses but the duration or time length of each house is one month. In the Chinese Zodiac system, each house has a duration or time length of one year. 2016 is the year of Monkey as per Chinese Zodiac System. During the festivities, new year goodness messages and gifts are exchanged. People wish happiness and prosperity to each other for the new year. A steady growth and prosperity are also wished for each other.

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Chinese are very particular about some taboos  or anathemas. They avoid certain things and actions on the first day of the Chinese New Year. Some of these to be avoided on the first day of the lunar year are – not to take any medicine, not to eat Porridge, not to wash clothes (on first and second day. These two days are believed to be the days of the Water God, Shuishen),  not to wash hair, not to use sharp objects like scissors and knives, no women to leave her house, no brooming and sweeping, no child to cry, no pickpocketing or theft to happen, no money lending, all debts to clear, not to wear dirty or damaged clothes, no clothes that are white or black, no sleeping till midnight to welcome the new year with celebrations, exchange gifts but except clocks or scissors or pears. Let us welcome the Lunar New Year 2016, the Year of Fire Monkey in a fantastico manner.

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This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can  apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.