Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year falls on Saturday, February 10th this year, and our youngest resident at Amar House, Ocean, has been diligently working on a project all about it. Ocean has been learning fascinating facts and is eager to share her newfound knowledge with the staff. She independently gathered information and resources to create an incredible display, which you can see below.
The festivities of Chinese New Year last for 16 days, with the first 7 days being recognised as the public holiday. This annual celebration also signifies the transition between zodiac signs. In 2024, we will welcome the Year of the Dragon, following the Year of the Rabbit in 2023. The Dragon holds the fifth position in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac signs, coming after the Rabbit and before the Snake. Notable Dragon years include 2024 (this year), 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, and 1952.
Dragons are known for their power, boundless energy, and vitality. They are goal-oriented, yet possess an idealistic and romantic nature. As visionary leaders, they have a strong sense of self, making them stand out among the 12 zodiacs of Chinese astrology. The next Dragon year will be in 2036, known as the Year of the Fire Dragon, associated with the earthly branch symbol chen.
The Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches are ancient systems used in China to keep track of time. Originally based on sky observations, these counting systems have had a significant impact on various aspects of daily life in China and have even spread to other parts of Asia. Together, they determine the years within a 60-year cycle in the traditional Chinese calendar.
Well done Ocean! We have all learned some amazing facts that we did not know before.