Chinese New Year – Year of the Pig

by Alisha Johnson, Ensley Branch Library



Not only is February the month that was chosen to celebrate Black History Month and Valentine’s Day, but it is also the month to celebrate the Chinese New Year – Year of the Pig 2019. The Chinese New Year began on February 5, 2019, and continues until the Year of the Rat takes over on January 25, 2020.

In reference to Chinese astrology, the New Year is very important. The Chinese celebrate by taking part in activities such as putting up decorations, eating reunion dinner with family on New Year's Eve, firecrackers and fireworks, and giving red envelopes and other gifts. Red is the main color for the festivals and is believed to be auspicious. There are some lucky and unlucky things to do at the New Year and giving money in red envelopes is considered to be very lucky. Non-essential staff persons take the seven day Chinese New Year holiday while enjoying one another and at the end of the seven days, life returns back to normal.

To learn more about the Chinese New Year, check out these resources at your local library:

The Animals of Chinese New Year by Jen Sookfong Lee
Celebrating Chinese New Year by Fay Robinson
Chinese New Year Crafts by Karen E. Bledsoe
Chinese New Year by Katie Dicker

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