Sunday 18 February 2007

CHINESE NEW YEAR




The oldest and most important festival in China is called the Spring Festival. Many people call it the Chinese New Year. No matter what you call it, it is a time of celebration for millions of Chinese people all over the world.
The Spring Festival celebrates the Earth coming back to life and the beginning of plowing and planting. Because the Chinese use a lunar calendar, the date of the Spring Festival changes each year. It takes place at some time during the end of January or the beginning of February. This year it falls on February 18, 2007.

WISH SOMEONE HAPPY NEW YEAR IN CHINESE:

Cantonese: Sun Nien Fai Lok ! (Happy New Year)
Cantonese:Gung Hay Fat Choy! (May prosperity be with you)
Mandarin:Xin Nian Kuai Le! (Happy New Year)

2007 is the Year of the Pig (boar) It is also known by its former name of Ding Hai.

I thought that as it was the Chinese New Year I would try growing a lychee from seed as part of the Great Pip Challenge.



In China it is believed that the Lychee nut represents strong family relationships






To read more about the traditions and superstitions of the Chinese New Yearclick here click on this icon.

15 comments:

Libbys Blog said...

I shall watch with anticipation the growing of the 'Lychee pip'!

RUTH said...

Hi Libby; it may be a long wait...I'm not sure how successful this is going to be but as I love to "PIG" out on the odd Chinee takeaway thought I try and do something to commemorate the New Year.

Jo said...

Nice Post, growing a Lychee Pip now that would be interesting, i have trouble keeping a inside plant alive.

Henny said...

Wonderful, now I can read something about the year of the pig.
A pig means luck, an that it is ,what I wish you!!!

RUTH said...

littlejen; bet it would be easier where you are ...a bit warmer than here at the moment I think
henny; thanks for dropping by and for your good wishes

Natalya said...

Sun Nien Fai Lok !

Have a lovely day Ruth :o)

Gwen said...

Gwen said...
Hi Ruth..
I cant think of anyone relating
to those names,but if I stumble onto anything I will most certainly
pass the info on to you.

RUTH said...

Thanks Gwen; the world is getting smaller everyday as more and more peeople use the internet......so maybe one day!

RUTH said...

natalya....your Chinese is excellent...thank you.

Jeanette said...

HI Ruth.
Sorry im unable to help you,as I truly dont know a Greg or Henry and my Aussie bloggers are mainly family and close friends.
hope you have luck in finding Greg.
((Hugs)) to you both.

Women on the Verge said...

ruth-
Thank you for the tips with the lemon balm! How is it used as a cleanser?
I will definitely try the recipe you gave me this summer...I have actually used the leaves as bug repellant. My youngest has a lot of chemical sensitivities so I try to keep with natural and organic products. I never thought about rubbing the leaves on my table tough... great idea!

I had Thai food last night... your post is making me think about attacking the remains of my phat prigkhin... yum!


Ethel

Women on the Verge said...

Thank you for the cleansing instructions... I've got a pre-teen struggling with some acne at her hairline...

E

Claire said...

Wow a lychee pip! I really need a digital camera now, so i can at least show you my poor attempt at the kitchen herbs! Once i have repotted them i think i will move onto a pip!
What digi cam have you got?
My mum,dad,sister and bro in law are all pigs!

Nicole said...

I love lychee! Good luck with the seed! I am happy that it's the year of the pig because this is going to be my year!

Sharon Lynne said...

Enjoyed your post about Chinese New Year!

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