In 2008 February 7th was the first day of the Chinese New Year. The Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year. However, this is understandable because their ancestors used the new moon to fix the date of each new year.
The Chinese Calendar
2008 is the year of the rat. This Chinese New Year is also known as ‘Tze’.
Unlike western calendars, the Chinese calendar has names that are repeated every 60 years. In the Chinese ‘Stem-Branch’ calendar this is the 9th year of the 60 year cycle. Within the ‘Stem-Branch’ system is shorter cycle of 12 years denoted by these animals:
Rat Ox Tiger Hare Dragon Snake Horse Sheep Monkey Rooster Dog Pig
20082009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2007
Chinese celebration for 2008.
Record Breaking Dragon
A Chinese town has made the world’s longest dragon.
Shuangfeng town, Taicang city, China, made the 2,008 metre long dragon to mark the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It is a mile and a quarter long and will need 1,200 dancers to support it at the town’s traditional dragon dance.
Apparently more than 10 workers worked over the months to make the huge dragon. It needed 4,200 meters of fabric and more than 300 bamboo poles recorded a China news Agency.
2008 Chinese Year of the Rat – Hamster Prices Rise
The price of hamsters risen threefold in China since the start of the Chinese New Year: the Year of the Rat. The animals are considered lucky and more acceptable pets than rats. The Xinhua news agency identified hamsters as having a better image than rats or mice; also that they are more likely to be amiable and friendly.
The Chinese word for rat, ‘laoshu’, covers a variety of animals that can include kangaroo rats, hamsters and moles. Pet shops have been selling out even at comparatively high prices of 30 Yuan [more than £2; approx. $3.90USD] for each hamster. Meanwhile, Nanning Zoo in southern China has been importing rat-like creatures from around the world in a tribute to the new year. Will and Guy have learned that the zoo’s collection now includes kangaroo rats, hamsters, moles, marmots, and flying squirrels
Chinese Proverbs
20 Number 6
Chinese Phrases
搞笑清洁笑话 in China roughly translates into clean funny jokes.
Chinese Characters
A simple example of Chinese characters showing how the sun symbol can be modified with a line to mean dawn.
P.S. Please write to Will and Guy if you have any examples of Chinese New Year humor.
