By Alyssa Boddicker
What Is It?
The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival is a time to celebrate the turning of the lunisolar Chinese calendar. Due to its timeline, the date of the new year changes every year, with this year taking place on 8th February. Festivities usually start the day before the New Year hits and continue for 15 days, ending usually with the Lantern Festival.
The Year Of The Monkey
Each new year is dedicated to one of the 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac – and as you may know, 2016 is the Year of the Monkey. With each Chinese zodiac signs come personality traits, similar to the astrology zodiac but instead of dividing people by birth month, it’s by birth year.
Often thought to be quick-witted and curious, along clever and intelligent financially and professionally, those born within the Year of the Monkey have strengths in being sociable, innovative and self-assured.
Some downfalls of those with the Monkey sign are characteristics of mischievousness, arrogance, and jealousness. It is also believed to be one of the most unlucky animal signs of the Chinese calendar. Famous people born during a year of the monkey are Leonardo da Vinci, Charles Dickens, Daniel Craig, Mick Jagger, Kim Cattrall, and Miley Cyrus.
Years of the Monkey: 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968
What to Do in London
Magical Lantern Festival: Starting on Wednesday 3rd February and through until Sunday 6th March, the UK’s first Chinese Lantern festival is at Chiswick House and Gardens with theatre, performances, and over 50 hand sculpted lanterns that light up the venue. From life-sized animals to full landscapes, the lights and lanterns of the Magical Lantern Festival are sure to bring in the crowds this Chinese New Year.
Chinese New Year Parade and Celebrations: On Sunday 14th February, thousands of people in London won’t be celebrating hearts, chocolates and flowers but instead they’ll be heading to Chinatown for the biggest Chinese New Year celebrations in the world outside of China itself. Starting at 10am on Charing Cross Road and Shaftesbury Avenue, the parade will take over the street and stroll up from Trafalgar Square and all the way up to the heart of Chinatown. Food stands, music, and plenty of activities such as crafts and workshops will line the streets. At 12pm, Trafalgar Square‘s main stage party will begin with specialty firecrackers, extreme acrobatics, comedy routines, high pole dances, finishing with monkey-themed finale at 5.20pm complete with fireworks and a light projection on Nelson’s Column.
Chinese Restaurants: Not feeling quite adventurous enough for the Chinese New Year food stands? Check out one of around 100 Chinese restaurants thorughout the Chinatown area, many of which are having specials for the Chinese New Year.
Which Sign Are You?
Rat (charming, sociable, adaptable, intelligent): 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960
Ox (loyal, steady, determined, reliable, strong): 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961
Tiger (enthusiastic, ambitious, leadership, courageous): 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962
Rabbit (modest, sincere, caretaker, trustworthy): 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963
Dragon (imaginative, spiritual, artistic, lucky): 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964
Snake (organized, intuitive, elegant, decisive, attentive): 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965
Horse (adaptable, adventurous, loyal, ambitious): 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966
Sheep (crafty, tasteful, charming, sensitive, calm): 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967
Monkey (charming, lucky, bright, versatile, lively): 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968
Rooster (honest, flamboyant, diverse, energetic): 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969
Dog (loyal, diligent, steady, adaptable, sociable): 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970
Pig (philanthropic, determined, sociable, sincere): 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971
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