Gung Hay Fat Choy or Happy New Year

Unlike the new year in the western world, which uses a fixed date which remains constant , the Chinese_New_Year is set by the lunar calendar, therefore, the beginning of the Chinese New Year may fall anywhere between the last part of January and the first part of February.    Most Chinese greet the New Year with far greater abandon and with far more ritual and tradition than most of us in the western world greet the New Year.   Families begin preparations far in advance with the assembly of decorations, banners, lanterns, food, drink and flowers.  It is a time for families to reunite and celebrate each other with feasting and general revelry.

What better way to learn about people of varying origins than through their celebrations and foods.  Why not host a Chinese supper for family and friends?  If you feel you don’t know much about the preparation of Chinese food, don’t worry.  If you can steam a pot of rice, make or buy a good chicken, beef or fish stock and if you can use a knife to slice and chop, they you know all that is necessary for enjoying a feast of Mongolian Fire Pot.

Mongolian Fire Pot is a superb way for those who don't consider themselves proficient in the art of Chinese cuisine, to non the less, be able to simply and economically assemble an authentic Chinese meal.  And it’ fun. 

If you are invited into a Chinese home durning the new year, bring them a sprig of flowering quince. It is considered to bring good luck and prosperity in the New Year.   A bowl of citrus would also be appropriate.

The following links will help you find a bit of information about the other animals in the Chinese Zodiac:  

Rat   Tiger   Rabbit  Dragon   Snake  Horse   Sheep  

 Monkey   Rooster  Dog  Pig