"New Year Happiness!" greetings in Cantonese and Mandarin.

It is the Y E A R / / O F / / T H E / / S E R P E N T / / (The Little Dragon)
beginning January 24, 2001

Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, celebrates this year in particular as a Golden Snake Year, Lunar Year 4699. (Last Year was the Golden Dragon Year). 2001 also marks the "Snake Sleeping in Winter," an image that means this coming period will be a time to build up resources in preparation of deep winter, with potential hardship and difficulties to overcome. In the midst of our own joy for the coming year, recall that balance and support are still necessary when going the extra mile for someone in need. I suppose this is prudent advice for any period in one's life.

The Spring Festival finds its closest comparison in a similarity to Christmas time for westerners. In several Asian countries, the public holiday for the New Year officially lasts 3 days, but the festival traditionally lasts till the 15th day of the lunar month -- with many firecrackers and much feasting -- and it ends with the Lantern Festival in China.

Gung Hay Fat Choy! "Wishing you prosperity"

Wolfspirit