01 February 2011
Local residents will be joined by the Leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, Cllr Lindsay Whittle later this week to celebrate Chinese New Year.
Lindsay has been invited to join in the celebrations this Thursday 3rd February as residents welcome in the Year of the Rabbit at the Samye Foundation Centre in Caerphilly.
Cllr Whittle said, "This wonderful centuries-old festival is celebrated across Chinese communities worldwide and in our diverse society is a time for family gatherings and visiting friends and relatives, in a similar way to our own New Year celebrations".
He continued, "I am delighted to be invited along to welcome in the Chinese New Year with our county borough's residents, and I wish them a happy, healthy year ahead".
Chinese New Year is the longest and most important festivity in the Chinese Lunar Calendar. The origin of Chinese New Year is itself centuries old and gains significance because of several myths and traditions.
The festival begins on the first day of the first month in the traditional Chinese calendar and ends with Lantern Festival, which is on the 15th day.
Some interesting Chinese New Year facts: -
- The fish is considered to be a lucky Chinese New Year symbol and is the most popular dish served during the occasion. It symbolizes abundance and a good beginning and end in the New Year.
- The Yule Log is an important part of the Chinese New Year celebrations and a lucky symbol of the festival. Traditionally, the Yule Log should burn for one whole night, smoulder for twelve days and then be put out ceremonially. It symbolizes the light coming back to conquer darkness.
- The colour red is an auspicious one in China and stands for life and prosperity. During festivals, most of the decorations around Chinese homes are usually red in colour.
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