Welcome the dragon!!

Today Jan.23rd starts in Chin@ the much anticipated Ch!nese New Year's!!  This is the year of the dragon.  If you look at any blogs of people in China recently you can see the cities beautifully decorated in lanterns and dragon and tons of red!  I was so hoping for us to be able to be there to see this.  I hear that it is absolutely crazy there but so fun and a once in a lifetime experience.  But instead I'll live it through some of my blogging friends :-)

China revolves much of their lives around astrology, which is based on the cycle of the moon.  There are 12 animals that represent different years.  Each animal represents different characteristics for those born those years.

Here is info taken from Chinatravelguide to give an overall explanation of what the dragon represents:

The dragon enjoys a very high reputation in Chinese culture. It is the token of authority, dignity, honor, success, luck, and capacity. In ancient China, a dragon was thought to speed across the sky with divine power. Emperors entitled themselves exclusively as 'dragon'; their thrones were called 'dragon thrones', their clothes 'dragon gowns'.
StrengthsPeople under the sign of the dragon are lively, intellectual, energetic and excitable. They often can be leaders and try to go for perfection. When they meet with difficulties, they are not discouraged. They are magnanimous, romantic and sensitive about their reputation. They usually have great ambition and an ingenuous personality. They hate hypocrisy, gossip and slander. They are not afraid of difficulties but hate to be used or controlled by others.
Weaknesses

More Dragon Pictures

They are a little arrogant and impatient, while dragon women can be over- confident. Sometimes, 'dragons' are unable to control their moods very well due to being eccentric, tactless, fiery, intolerant and unrealistic. They may feel blank about the future. There is no lack of romance in their life over all, but they seldom give true love. Therefore, they do not usually show disappointment in love. They may criticize others for their inefficiency at work. They have a nature ardent to excess and couldn't withstand setbacks which make them flee away. If they overcome these defects, they can have a brighter future.
Horoscope and Numerology ElementsEarthly Branch of Birth Year: chen
Wu Xing (The Five Elements): tu (earth)
Yin Yang: yang
Auspicious Directions: west, north, northwest
Lucky Colors: golden, silver, hoary; Avoid red, green, purple, black
Lucky Numbers: 1, 7, 6; Avoid 9, 8, 3
Lucky Flowers: bleeding heart vine, larkspurZodiac Sign Compatibility - Best match: rat, monkey, rooster; Avoid ox, rabbit, dog
Fortune Fortelling in 2012

Lantern with a shape of dragon

Overview: It is the turn of dragon people to encounter their birth year, a year to offend 'Taisui’, the god in charge of people’s fortune. To ensure their own safety, dragon people should be tolerant and low-keyed. Good and bad luck are coming fifty-fifty.

Career: Dragon people are likely to be slow and erratic. There is no lack of good information and opportunities, but hardly any of them can bring good results.
Wealth: Think twice before investing. Pay attention to their expenditure plan in order to avoid financial crisis.
Love: Sentimental crisis may easily happen and there are many quarrels between the husband and wife.
Health: Their luck in health is worth of special attention, the same as those paid to their wealth problems. Apart from the discomfort in digestive system, they should also care those in skin and blood.

To find out what sign you are follow this chart

The Dragon: 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012

The Snake: 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001

The Horse: 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002

The Sheep: 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003

The Monkey: 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004

The Rooster: 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005

The Dog: 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006

The Pig: 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007

The Rat: 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008

The Ox: 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009

The Tiger: 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010

The Rabbit: 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011

So how did they pick the animals....note there are many different versions of this idea....here is just one of them:

Legend has it that one day the gods ordered that animals be designated as signs of each year and the twelve that arrived first were selected. At that time, the cat and the rat were good friends and neighbors. When they heard of this news, the cat said to the rat: 'We should arrive early to sign up, but I usually get up late.' The rat then promised to awaken his friend and to go together. However, on the morning when he got up, he was too excited to recall his promise, and went directly to the gathering place. On the way, the rat encountered the tiger, ox, horse, and other animals that ran much faster. In order not to fall behind them, he thought up a good idea. He made the straightforward ox carry him on condition that he sang for the ox. The ox and the rat arrived first. The ox was happy thinking that he would be the first sign of the years, but the rat had already slid in front, and became the first lucky animal of the Chinese zodiac. Meanwhile his neighbor the cat was too late so when it finally arrived, the selection was over. That's why other animals appear behind the little rat and why the cat hates the rat so much that every time they meet, the cat will chase and kill the rat.

(credit:chinatravelguide)

The festivities last for 15 days.  They begin, before the new year arrives, by cleaning out their homes to welcome in good luck.  On new year's eve they gather for a meal and large displays of fireworks.  These fireworks were said to scare away bad luck with the loud noise.  The next week or so is celebrated with amazing parades, family gatherings, children receiving money in red envelopes.  Red represents luck in China.  On the 15th day people gather with lighted lanterns to end the celebrations.  How beautiful this must be!  I'm so excited to learn more about Caleb's history.  I do hope some day we can go back and let him experience a celebration that is such a important part of his country.

Well on to trying to figure out an activity for the kids to do.  I really want to be able to help Caleb understand and celebrate his heritage.  So this is the year for us to come up with ideas!  If any of you have different ways of celebrating I would love to hear.

Gong Xi Fa Ca! (wishing you prosperity/wealth)