Fun Facts on Lunar New Year

• It is more appropriate to use the term "Lunar New Year," as opposed to "Chinese New Year" as several Asian cultures - other than Hong Kong’s and China’s – follow the lunar calendar; obviously, among people in Hong Kong and China, it is appropriate to say “Chinese New Year”

• The Lunar New Year varies from year to year because the lunar cycle is about 29.5 days; every seven years an extra month is added so that the lunar and solar calendars coincide, rather like our custom of adding an extra day during leap years.

• The Chinese celebrate the New Year over a 15-day period with the emphasis on the family (living and dead), friends, and starting the year out right - how one begins the year predicts the way the rest of the year will be; this means meticulous cleaning and in some cases painting their houses before the start of the New Year, donning new clothes, and avoiding arguments, foul language and unlucky words; clearing old debts and visits with family are valued practices of the Chinese in both Hong Kong and China.

• Children and indulged and never spanked as crying on New Year's Day will mean tears all year long, so children are indulged and never spanked; elders and relatives give children red envelopes (a.k.a. Lai See) with money for good fortune.

• The old year and its spirits are banished by sweeping the floors before New Year's Day; (Don't sweep on New Year's Day itself - you'll sweep away the New Year fortune if you do.) Shooting fireworks on New Year's Eve scares away the old year, and households open up windows and doors at midnight as exits for the old year.

• At New Year, special emphasis is placed on the symbology of different foods; certain ones represent gold, or wealth, while others suggest wishes for good health, longevity, togetherness, and completeness. Citrus, like oranges and tangerines, resemble gold and represent abundant happiness and wealth, and you should bring a bag of fruit when calling on family or friends during new years; A whole fish is served to symbolize togetherness, chickens bring prosperity, noodles are served long and uncut, to represent long life; Lotus seeds are believed to bring many children, especially male children. Interestingly, the Chinese avoid serving fresh tofu, as its white color is deemed to symbolize death and misfortune.