New Year is a holiday known all over the world. They meet him, as a rule, on the night of January 1. But Chinese New Year is celebrated a little later. Moreover, at absolutely different times.
When Chinese New Year comes
So what about the date? Chinese New Year 2015 is celebrated on February 19th. But still, not everything is so simple. This is the Lunar Chinese New Year. That is, the calendar. Astrological New Year in China begins with the beginning of spring. The awakening of nature speaks volumes. Spring in 2015 in China comes on February 4th. On this day (a little earlier than the ordinary Chinese calendar), the New Year will come. The wood goat, of course, confuses people who are interested in "Chinese literacy" in the dates of their arrival a little. However, this is the East. Here the dates are determined by both the lunar and solar calendar. Astrology (i.e. the Sun) is used, for example, by those who practice feng shui.
Some facts
In order to understand the celebration of this solemn event, it is necessary, first of all, to learn something about its history. Several hundred years ago, China was mostly a cluster of rural communities. Accordingly, the Dynasty was forced to update a special calendar for farmers every year. It consisted not only of the solar and lunar calendar, but also of the weather calendar. This information was essential in order to know how to plant a variety of plants, seeds, when to harvest, and when to celebrate the holidays. As a result, Chinese New Year has always been associated with farming. On this day, men celebrated their achievements over the past twelve months.
The most popular holiday in China
The arrival of the New Year is a bright and cheerful event. He is eagerly and impatiently awaited in all countries. New Year in China is no exception! January 1 here, as well as in many Christian countries, of course, is celebrated. However, with the arrival of the new moon, the Chinese celebrate this event again. The Chinese New Year has another name - Chunjie. Translated, it means "Spring Festival".
Symbol and element are determined every year
Every year, the celebration in China is celebrated in completely different ways. Much depends on the symbol, element and color. For example, Chinese New Year 2014 was celebrated under the sign of the Horse. His element was the Tree. The main colors were blue and cyan. Accordingly, a wooden horse painted in one of these colors must have stood on the festive table.
Chinese New Year 2015 is the year of the Wood Goat. It is this animal that will have to be honored. The goat symbolizes household, warmth, motherhood. It is preferable to celebrate the New Year at home. How to celebrate? It would seem an ordinary holiday ... But here, too, there are some nuances. Celebrate New Year in China for 15 days. Each of them has its own meaning, depending on local traditions. Therefore, people go out to public festivities. The holiday ends on the 15th day with the Lantern Festival.
Traditions
A lot of various rituals and superstitions are associated with the celebration of this holiday. For example, five long strips of paper must be hung over the door. They symbolize good luck, longevity, honor, joy and wealth.
According to ancient traditions, the New Year in Chinese must be greeted with noise and hubbub. People blow up firecrackers, light fireworks. All this is done in order to prevent the settlement of evil spirits in the house, expelled from different places on the eve of the New Year.
There is another belief. The evil forces are supposedly afraid of everything red. Therefore, before the New Year, it is necessary to glue scarlet paper strips on a wide variety of objects.
In big cities, many ancient rituals, of course, have become a thing of the past. However, they are still found in rural areas. During the 2014 Chinese New Year, for example, many provincials covered their windows and doors with paper. This is considered another way of protecting against the dark forces.
All household chores must be completed by the New Year. Cleaning begins from the threshold, and ends in the very center of the house. By the evening of a festive day, it is necessary to remove all rags, buckets, brushes, brooms, etc. in places invisible to the eye.
In China, it is not a Christmas tree that is decorated for the New Year, but the Tree of Light. Flowers, garlands, various lanterns are hung on it. New Year's Eve dinner is also important. This evening the whole family gathers at the table. If one of its members is absent, free places are still provided for them. A festive meal is not complete without tofu, fish and chicken. In Chinese, the names of these products are consonant with the words "wealth" and "happiness." In the north of China, dumplings are sure to be eaten on New Year's, and in the south, rice slices. The festive dinner ends with the distribution of money. They are put in red envelopes.
It is necessary to celebrate the New Year without any debts. On the eve of Chinese New Year, place small vases of tangerines throughout the house. This symbol is the personification of prosperity and wealth. The house is also decorated with apricot or peach flowers. This symbolizes new beginnings. For Chinese New Year, people always wear new outfits. This is done in order not to transfer their problems from the outgoing year to the coming year. In addition, you need to be courteous and respectful to all the people around you. All spoken words should symbolize only happiness and joy.
A rich table is the key to prosperity
A few words have already been said about the festive table. New Chinese 2014, the photo of the celebration of which speaks volumes, has allowed many people in China to live the coming months in happiness and prosperity. A successful life went to those who took good care of the New Year's table. For example, rice is a symbol of wealth, noodles are a symbol of longevity, and fish is a symbol of a happy family. In addition, a variety of salads, fruits, seafood and sweets must be present on the table.
What to give to loved ones
What present to present to your friends and family? Even in ancient times, a tradition appeared in China - to give the owners of the house two tangerines each. Why is that? It is believed that this ceremony appeared due to the fact that the "pair of tangerines" in Chinese is consonant with the word "gold".
Accordingly, everything is extremely simple. A photo of the Chinese New Year suggests that in this country it is generally customary to present paired gifts. Such things symbolize family harmony. It can be two mugs, two dishes, etc. The most important thing is not to give watches to elderly people, and baby things to those who have not had babies. It is customary to give gifts to the owners of the house just before leaving. Some people leave them in secret altogether.
Traditional dances
Now, mind you! Traditional dance is the best gift for a Chinese citizen! In every city on this holiday, festivals are organized where you can watch this magnificent action.
Traditional dances of dragons and lions are necessarily performed at festive performances. What it is? Lions symbolize protection from troubles and misfortunes in the New Year. Their dance has been known in China since the 14th century. The dragon dance has been known even longer - since the XII century. Its execution requires paper, wire and willow rods. These materials are used to make a dragon, which can be up to 10 meters long. The body of the monster consists of an odd number of parts, each of which is controlled by a dancer using a pole.
In short, this holiday has many traditions and customs. All of them are shrouded in some kind of mystery and mystery. The Chinese New Year allows you to plunge into a fairy tale, feel like a mystical hero, and feel a lot of positive emotions! There is no doubt that people celebrating this wonderful celebration will surely enjoy it to the fullest, remain in complete delight! The mythical dragon, fabulous lions and all other tales of China - all this is closely intertwined in the bright celebration of the New Year!
The number of people who are interested in the traditions and culture of China, as well as the celebration of the New Year according to the Chinese calendar, is growing every year. Despite the fact that the West has already celebrated this holiday more than a month ago, the year of the Wood Goat in China has just begun.
When is Chinese New Year 2015
New Year in China is celebrated from January 21 to February 21 - this date changes from year to year. In 2015, according to the lunar calendar, the holiday falls on February 19. Therefore, this day is also called the Lunar New Year. This is due to the fact that it occurs on the second new moon after the winter solstice. But there is also an astrological calendar, according to which the chronology of Feng Shui and Ba Tzu is kept. According to him, the exact date for Chinese New Year of the Goat 2015 fell on February 4th.
The onset of the New Year for the Chinese symbolizes the arrival of spring. The scale of the Spring Festival (Chunjie) is striking - pompously decorated shops and restaurants, firecrackers, fireworks and petards. The scale of the celebrations will surprise any tourist.
Chinese New Year traditions
The Chinese, like us, adore the New Year and prepare for it in advance - they clean apartments, prepare goodies, throwing away everything unnecessary in order to make room for happiness and wealth. After the dwelling is cleaned, figurines with the symbol of the New Year are placed around the apartment - in 2015 it is the Wood Goat.
According to tradition, the Chinese New Year is celebrated for 15 days. Every day has its own status. For example, on the last day, a lantern festival is held here. In general, the Chinese, like us, love to visit. But it is customary for them to give not so much gifts as money, which is presented in a red envelope. Red symbolizes wealth and happiness.
Oddly enough, tangerines are one of the main symbols of the New Year in China. They are a symbol of good luck and good fortune. It is customary to place fruits in vases throughout the house.
Chinese New Year is Spring Festival!
Chinese New Year 2015 - number and date, celebration traditions
The Spring Festival or Chinese New Year begins on the night of February 18-19, 2015. The Chinese celebrate the New Year according to the lunar calendar on the night of the 1st day of the 1st lunar month. All of China rejoices, rejoices, families gather together, the night skies are lit up every now and then with fireworks, which are no worse than those that were once launched at the court of the emperor.
The number of people interested in Chinese culture and traditions of celebrating the Chinese New Year is growing every year. Since the year 2015 of the blue wooden Goat (Sheep) awaits us all, it is natural that people's interest, in particular, raises the question of when it comes (begins) chinese new year 2015 what date(number) of the holiday, how long it will last, what traditions of celebration, etc.
Many traditions and cultures have mixed in Russia, so most of the population celebrates the Year of the Goat on the night of December 31, 2014 to January 1, 2015. Although if we talk about the real Chinese New Year, then the official date - 19 February 2015- This is the first new moon in the sign of Aquarius after the winter solstice.
When is Chinese New Year 2015 - Year of the Goat?
Chinese people and millions of people around the world celebrate first day of chinese new year 19 february 2015... On this day, the calendar Chinese new year (lunar) will come, but the astrological Chinese new year of the Goat (solar) begins with the beginning of spring - the time when the sun enters the three hundred and fifteenth degrees of the tropical zodiac.
In 2015, spring with China will come on February 4, 2015. It is on this day, a little earlier than the traditional Chinese New Year, that the real Year of the Wood Goat... The main thing is not to get confused in this "Chinese literacy". The fact is that in the east, the new year can be determined both by the astrological (solar) and lunar calendar. The difference is that the lunar calendar, the beginning of the year in which it "floats", is used only to keep track of time. In 2015, the lunar year will begin on February 19. In Chinese astrology, Ba Tzu and Feng Shui use the astrological calendar.
How to Celebrate Chinese New Year 2015
The Chinese celebrate the New Year for 15 days. Each day has a special meaning that depends on local traditions. But first, before the new year arrives, houses are carefully cleaned and decorated to attract good luck. The holiday ends on day 15 - the lantern festival; on this full moon, people take to the streets and carry lighted lanterns.
To understand more about the 15-day Chinese New Year Festival, we need to know some facts from Chinese culture. Thousands of years ago, China consisted primarily of a rural society. Each year, the Dynasty announced an annual calendar for farmers. The calendar contained solar, lunar and weather calendars - this information was necessary for farmers to know when to plant seeds, plants, harvest on their land, and even when to go to work, rest, pray and celebrate the holidays. Therefore, the original meaning of the Chinese New Year was related to the harvest of the farmers. Chinese farmers celebrated their accomplishments over the past year, and a good harvest was a gracious reward from God. Therefore, they brought offerings to him and prayed, asking for prosperity and good luck in the coming year.
Traditionally, before celebrating the Chinese New Year, you need to thoroughly clean your home. Dirt in the house is a manifestation of disrespect for the owner of the next year. And if you meet the year of the Wooden Goat in an uncleaned house, you don't have to expect favors from her. According to Eastern traditions, the New Year cannot be celebrated with debts, otherwise it will be very difficult to pay off.
In the east, red means sun, joy, happiness and protects from evil spirits. Therefore, to celebrate the Chinese New Year, the house must be decorated in red shades. It is favorable to stick on the front doors of the house inscribed hieroglyphs made with dark paint on a red background, as well as images of guardian spirits and the deity of wealth in the hope that they will bring happiness and prosperity to the house. Be sure to place vases with ripe tangerines throughout the house - they personify wealth and prosperity. In addition to tangerines, the house can be decorated with peach and apricot flowers - they will symbolize new beginnings.
Traditionally, new clothes are worn for the Chinese New Year. This is done in order not to transfer the problems of the outgoing year into the new year. On this day, it is also necessary to show exceptional politeness with everyone, even with those people who are unpleasant to you. In no case should you pronounce any words that are associated with troubles and misfortunes.
A rich table for the Chinese New Year 2015 is the key to success and prosperity. On the New Year's table there should be both traditional oriental dishes: rice - a symbol of wealth, noodles - a symbol of longevity, fish - a symbol of prosperity, and dishes that will appease the Goat, the ruler of 2015. So it can be a variety of salads, fresh fruits, seafood and sweet pastries.
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2015 is the time of the Sheep and the Goat!
Eastern calendar
When is Chinese New Year 2015?
At the call of Buddha, the sheep and the goat swam across the river at the same time - eighth, and Buddha gave them the eighth year ...
"Ancient Oriental Legend"
19 February 2015 year on the third new moon after the winter solstice, according to the eastern (Chinese) lunar cyclical calendar, the year of the celestial trunk of the "Tree" time begins at the "Yin" stage of the terrestrial branch "Sheep - Goat", the 34th cycle of the new chronology. So the Chinese Emperor would have proclaimed the beginning of the new year.
But what does that mean? Let's turn to ancient Chinese philosophy. Within the framework of her ideas, time in heaven and on earth flows in different ways. Therefore, to designate time, earthly and heavenly signs were used. According to ancient Chinese ideas, the main flow of time is carried out along the celestial trunks, and time flows to the earth from these trunks along the branches diverted to it. There are five heavenly trunks, and 12 branches are taken from them to the ground.
"Tree" - a symbol of the Heavenly state of the coming year, carries with it the properties of the same-name primary element: the governing direction is east, which characterizes the color blue-green, the presence of this element means the presence of vitality.
All signs of the earthly branch are the product of heavenly trunks - so the Sheep and Goat branch inherits the characteristics of the Earth trunk element in the YIN stage and, in addition, some qualities of real terrestrial animals - sheep and goats (kindness, endurance, unpredictability, agility and moodiness).
I suppose someone had a question: Why is this name of the year used - "Sheep and Goats"?
The fact is that, according to an ancient eastern parable (legend), once on New Year's Eve, during the traditional gathering of the rulers of all the provinces, Buddha decided to invite all the animals to his place. The time was cold, but the river on the banks of which the Buddha settled was not yet frozen. and the animals that responded to his invitation had to overcome this obstacle. The rat was the first to swim across the river, and Buddha thanked her for that, assigning her name to the first coming year ... Eighth, the goat and the sheep swam across the river - they went ashore at the same time. Buddha decided not to offend anyone and gave both of them the eighth year. But to some of the guests, who were closer to the goat, it seemed that the goat came first, and those who were closer to the sheep, that the sheep. Fearing to argue with the Buddha, they remained unconvinced and spoke only about it in their provinces. Since then, residents of some places believe that the eighth year is the year of the goat, others - the sheep. But the wise Buddha rewarded both the Sheep and the Goat at the same time!
On this occasion, I would like to cite here also amusing arguments of a five-year-old girl. When the child was asked who she would choose for the name of the upcoming New Year, a lamb or a horned goat, the answer was:
“A sheep has no horns, she does not need them - her husband, a ram, protects her. And a goat has horns to defend herself, because her husband is a goat!
But I like the lamb better ... "
We will not offend the child and in the future we will call the coming year the Year of the Sheep. We ourselves, in our minds, will rely on the opinion of the Buddha and mean that. Still, if you think sensibly, it is unlikely that someone will be able to live the whole year in the warmth and well-being of the sheep's fleece, you need to remember that life can kick up like a goat, and if someone completely gape, it can also butt ...
And now the answer to one of the main questions.
In China, it is customary to celebrate the New Year in the clothes of the colors of the heavenly sign. The element "Tree" has a composite symbolic color: blue-green, and both colors, both blue and green, are acceptable for the New Year. Since green does not suit everyone, most of the celebrants dress in blue. That is why the symbolic color of the current 2 years of the celestial trunk "Tree" is most often called blue (for more details on the symbolism and structure of the eastern calendar, see the next section).
I would like to add one more remark about the "woodiness" of the year: the Earthly branch of the Sheep and the Goat is a product of the element "Earth" and inherits its qualities, and the primary element "Wood" has the same relation to a real tree as a flying saucer to a tea saucer. So, neither the Sheep nor the goat can in any way be called wooden - they will be offended!
With the coming Year of the Blue Sheep and the Green Goat! ... or ... if you want to wear something green, but fall under the auspices of the Sheep, then: "Happy Year of the Green Sheep and the Blue Goat!"
According to the table presented here, you can determine when to celebrate the New Year according to the Eastern calendar, as well as determine your eastern patron signs by date of birth ...
Table: Chinese cyclic calendar from 1960 to 2019 - the dates of the New Year.
Chinese calendar. 2015 Sheep
Sergey Ov
This table clearly shows the 12-year calendar cycle of the earth's branches, and not very clearly 10-year - each of the five primary elements "takes control of the development of world events" for 2 solar years. The main cycle lasts 60 years - the cycle begins with the celestial trunk "Tree", the earthly branch "Rat" - now there is a 34th cycle of new time, it began on February 2, 1984. (If you want to view dates in a wider time interval (1924-2043), click on the table).
Eastern (Chinese) lunar cyclical calendar.
According to the worldview of ancient Chinese natural philosophy, as well as in the later antique, there are two courses of time - in heaven and on earth. In heaven, time continuously flows through five essential world-forming elements (elements, essences): “Wood”, “Fire”, “Earth” (“Soil”), “Metal”, “Water” - figuratively “along the heavenly trunks of these elements-essences ”. The main, most powerful stream of time overflows from one essence to another. When the flow of time flows into the celestial trunk of an entity (first year) - it is in the YANG stage, when it starts to leave (second year) - it goes into the YIN stage (Properties of entity elements are displayed in the table:).
Sergey Ov
To enlarge the table of properties of entities, click on it
In the earthly world - its own stream of time, it flows along the earthly branches, which are generated by the heavenly trunks. The fertile basic "Earth" generates on its trunk 4 branches per 12-year cycle: two in the YAN stage - Dragon, Dog; and two in the YIN stage - Bull, Sheep. The rest of the trunks, respectively: "Metal" - the branches of the Monkey and Rooster; "Water" - Rat and Pig; "Tree" - Tiger and Rabbit; "Fire" - Horse and Snake. All this underlies the construction, so to speak, of the outer cover of the cyclic calendar.
The true basis of the cyclic calendar is the results of observations of the motion of the planets, the Moon and the Sun. The founders of the calendar knew: that from new moon to new moon 29 and a half days pass; that for a terrestrial observer, Mars returns to the point of the starry sky fixed at the time of the beginning of observation in almost 2 years, Jupiter in about 12 years, and Saturn in 30. It takes 60 years for both Jupiter and Saturn to return to their original configuration - this period and was adopted as the main longest cycle of the calendar. The next 12-year cycle corresponds to the period of Jupiter's revolution. But the ten-year and two-year cycles are already a tribute to the metaphysical ideas of that time.
Despite this complex interweaving of the rational and the metaphysical, we can say that the Chinese cyclic lunisolar calendar is the first documented attempt by mankind to synchronize the time counting system with the movement of celestial bodies, which took place more than 4600 years ago!
According to the historical, philosophical and astronomical materials of the network: Sergey Ov(Seosnews9)
Why don't we use ancient Chinese wisdom and try to imagine what the coming year is preparing for us? Let's take another look at the table of properties of primary elements and try to apply them in practice.
So, 2015, (from February 19, 2015 - New Year according to the Eastern calendar), the heavenly trunk "Tree", the earthly branch "Sheep":
Weather 2015:
The control of the weather will be almost completely taken over by the heavenly trunk - the Tree, but it will not do without the intervention of the Sheep and the Goat.
We look at the table.
"Tree": the steering direction is east; type of energy - wind (mobility).
"Sheep" (trunk branch Earth): control direction "center"; energy type - moisture. The season corresponding to the sign "Sheep" is mid-summer.
Based on this information, we get that at the very end of winter and early spring, eastern winds will have an important influence on the weather - in the central part of Russia they usually bring dry frosty weather with them, but the moist energy of the Sheep's earth branch will soften their effect and spring will come earlier , than usual.
By the summer, the influence of "Sheep and Goat" will increase, so the coming summer will generally be warm and humid. but given that the "Goat" can "kick up", from time to time abrupt short transitions to hot or cold weather are possible.
Year of the Sheep. Society.
The eastern direction of social life will dominate the western one. The influence of the east will gradually tend to balance with the influence of the west throughout the year.
Year of the Sheep. People.
Success, as usual, will be most beneficial to those who were born in the year of the Sheep and the Goat or under the canopy of the heavenly branch of the "Tree", in general, if you do not yawn and remember about the vigor of the "Goat" does not bode well.
P.S... More about fashion: Wear something blue or green more often and curl your hair - all this will bring good luck ...
Other related articles on calendar:
* On the views of ancient philosophers on time:
Dates of the new year on the Chinese cyclical calendar from 1924 to 2043.
| Trunks and branches of time | Heavenly trunks | ||||||||||
| tree | the fire | land | metal | water | |||||||
| Earthly branches |
Rat | February 5, 1924 | January 24, 1936 | February 10, 1948 | January 28, 1960 | Rat | February 15, 1972 | ||||
| Bull | January 25, 1925 | 11 February 1937 | January 29, 1949 | Bull | February 15, 1961 | February 3, 1973 | |||||
| Tiger | January 23, 1974 | February 13, 1926 | January 31, 1938 | February 17, 1950 | February 5, 1962 | ||||||
| Rabbit | February 11, 1975 | Rabbit | February 2, 1927 | 19 February 1939 | February 6, 1951 | January 25, 1963 | |||||
| The Dragon | February 13, 1964 | January 31, 1976 | The Dragon | January 23, 1928 | February 8, 1940 | January 27, 1952 | |||||
| Snake | February 2, 1965 | February 18, 1977 | Snake | February 10, 1929 | January 27, 1941 | February 14, 1953 | |||||
| Horse | February 3, 1954 | Horse | January 21, 1966 | February 7, 1978 | January 30, 1930 | February 15, 1942 | |||||
| Sheep | January 24, 1955 | February 9, 1967 | January 28, 1979 | Sheep | 17 February 1931 | February 5, 1943 | |||||
| Monkey | January 25, 1944 | February 12, 1956 | January 30, 1968 | Monkey | February 16, 1980 | February 6, 1932 | |||||
| Rooster | February 13, 1945 | January 31, 1957 | February 17, 1969 | February 5, 1981 | Rooster | January 26, 1933 | |||||
| Dog | February 14, 1934 | February 2, 1946 | Dog | February 18, 1958 | February 6, 1970 | January 25, 1982 | |||||
| Pig | February 4, 1935 | January 22, 1947 | February 8, 1959 | January 27, 1971 | February 13, 1983 | Pig | |||||
| Earthly branches |
Rat | February 2, 1984 | 19 February 1996 | February 7, 2008 | 25 january 2020 | Rat | 11 February 2032 | ||||
| Bull | February 20, 1985 | February 7, 1997 | January 26, 2009 | Bull | 12 February 2021 | January 31, 2033 | |||||
| Tiger | 19 February 2034 | February 9, 1986 | January 28, 1998 | 14 February 2010 | February 1, 2022 | ||||||
| Rabbit | 8 February 2035 | Rabbit | January 29, 1987 | February 16, 1999 | 3 February 2011 | January 22, 2023 | |||||
| The Dragon | 10 February 2024 | January 28, 2036 | The Dragon | February 17, 1988 | February 5, 2000 | January 23, 2012 | |||||
| Snake | January 29, 2025 | 15 February 2037 | Snake | February 6, 1989 | January 24, 2001 | 10 February 2013 | |||||
| Horse | January 31, 2014 | Horse | 17 February 2026 | February 4, 2038 | January 27, 1990 | 12 February 2002 | |||||
| Sheep | 19 February 2015 | February 6, 2027 | February 24, 2039 | Sheep | February 15, 1991 | February 1, 2003 | |||||
| Monkey | January 22, 2004 | 8 February 2016 | January 26, 2028 | Monkey | 12 February 2040 | February 4, 1992 | |||||
| Rooster | February 9, 2005 | 28 january 2017 | 13 February 2029 | February 1, 2041 | Rooster | January 23, 1993 | |||||
| Dog | February 10, 1994 | January 29, 2006 | Dog | 16 february 2018 | February 3, 2030 | February 22, 2042 | |||||
| Pig | January 31, 1995 | 18 February 2007 | 5 february 2019 | January 23, 2031 | February 10, 2043 | Pig | |||||
Notes:
1. Years increase diagonally downward; from the far right cell of the calendar, look for the continuation in the far left.
2. In the intervals between the "trunks of time" are symbolically depicted "earthly branches" named by the corresponding signs - in each calendar cycle, the earthly branches are renewed.
Brown, yellow, flesh
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