Gong Xi Fa Cai! That’s Happy New Year in Mandarin.

2015 is the Year of the Goat, Sheep and Ram…so it is said to be full of calm, renewal, creativity and kindness. According to Chinese astrology, each year is associated with an animal sign, occurring in a 12-year cycle.

KeeKee_Chinese_New_Year

Chinese New Year is an important Chinese festival celebrated at the turn of the Chinese calendar, a lunar calendar, marking the end of the long winter and beginning of spring. It is also called the Spring Festival.

It is the longest and most important celebration on the Chinese calendar. The celebration last 15 days and each day has a different meaning and festivity.

Within China and around the world, customs and traditions for celebration vary. The evening preceding Chinese New Year’s Day is often an occasion for Chinese families to gather for the annual reunion dinner. It is also traditional for every family to thoroughly cleanse the house, in order to sweep away any ill-fortune and to make way for good incoming luck.

Windows and doors will be decorated with red color paper-cuts and couplets with popular themes of “good fortune” or “happiness”, “wealth”, and “longevity.” Other activities include lighting firecrackers and giving money in red paper envelopes.

Learn more about Chinese New Year here and also find out what YOUR Chinese Zodiac Sign is based on the year you were born!

In celebration of Chinese New Year, enjoy this Special Edition KeeKee Coloring Page! >^..^<

Chinese New Year 2015 - Goat-1