I wish everybody who celebrates a happy new Year of the Dragon - ah, you don't know what this is all about?
Well - the traditional Chinese calendar is a lunar calendar, so the celebrations of the new year take place at some time between the end of January and the beginning of February. The Chinese call it the "Spring Festival" and it is the celebration of nature coming back to life. Like all big festivals you celebrate with your family, which means that each year around this time millions of Chinese are on the road (or train or plane..) to visit their families. And of course, there are fireworks. After all, the Chinese invented fireworks ! What most Western kids like most about Chinese New Year are the red envelopes with money children and unmarried relatives get . More details about the celebrations here.
And where does the dragon come from ? The Chinese calendar has a 12 year cycle and each year is named after an animal. Last year was the Year of the Rabbit, the new year is going to be the Year of the Dragon. People born in the year of a certain animal are said to have certain characteristics... well, if you want to know more, you can e.g. find more information here .
By the way, I was born in the Year of the Rooster...
A colouring page with a dragon can be found on Jackie Chan's website in the "Kids Corner."
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