Happy Chinese New Year - “Gong hei fat choy” - Lewisham Children & Family Centre

Chinese New Year is one of the most important festivals of the year and celebrates the new lunar new year. The Chinese calendar is made up of a cycle of twelve years, each of them being named after an animal. Some people believe that those born in a particular will have some of the characteristics of that animal, 2023 is the year of the rabbit. People born in the Year of the Rabbit usually have soft and tender personality traits. They have a modest attitude and are pleasant to be around. They are not irritated easily, and they also avoid quarrels as much as possible.

Chinese New Year is a time when families get together to celebrate with food, red lanterns and decorations and fireworks. It’s a vibrant festival bursting with red and gold decorations. The colour red is a lucky colour and is supposed to frighten off the monster, Nian, who is thought to appear on the Chinese New Years Eve. The colour gold represents wealth. Families often give gifts of money in special red envelopes. Children often wear clothes with tigers on.

Why not try these ways to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit?

Make a Handprint Dragon with CBeebies

Make a Chinese Rattle Drum with CBeebies

Make a healthy and yummy Stir Fry with Change4Life

However you are celebrating this year we wish you great happiness and prosperity.

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Happy Chinese New Year – “Gong hei fat choy”