Special Sub-Topic: The Chinese New Year Click Here To Play: The Chinese New Year

What determines the start of the Chinese New Year?

the new moon on the first day of the new year. The Chinese have adopted the Western solar calendar but still use the old lunar calendar for festivals and celebrations.

The grand celebration that takes place about fifteen days after the day of the Chinese New Year. What is it called?

Lantern Festival. The Chinese celebrate with parades and night lantern displays.

How many years apart are the years of the zodiac animals? For example: this year is the year of the monkey, how many years ago was the last year of the monkey?

12. The Chinese zodiac contains twelve animals. Each animal is active every twelve years.

Which of the following is not an animal on the Chinese zodiac?

Hawk. The animals include: Monkey, Rooster, Rat, Dragon, Dog, Ox, Ram, Rabbit, Snake, Horse, Tiger and Pig.

Which year of the zodiac was it in 2005?

Year of the Rooster. 2005 will be the year of the rooster. The last time it was the year of the rooster was 1993.

Which of the following is most widely accepted legend pertaining to the order of the Chinese zodiac?

the animals would race across a river, the first to win headed the cycle. The ox was best prepared for the task. But, the rat had jumped on his back and became the first animal of the cycle.

Why would a person in China most likely ask another person what their animal is?

to see who should should receive respect because they are older. You can usually find a person's age by asking them their animal, but that is not the reason a person would ask you. If you are older in China, you will deserve more respect from the younger.

Which of these is most widely celebrated at the time of the Chinese New Year?

Family ties. Spending time with friends and especially one's family is extremely important on the Chinese New Year's Eve and the day of the Chinese New Year.

What of these acts is extremely important for preparing for the Chinese New Year?

Cleaning every part of the house. This act is known as the "sweeping of the grounds". Every corner must be cleaned as old events are now over and you are welcoming the new ones.

Which of the following is most characteristic of New Year celebrations in a "Chinatown" instead of in China?

The parade is a fundraiser for local hospitals. The parade is sometimes known as the lion dances. The dancers go from store to store, raising money for hospitals. This tradition started in the 1920s.