Happy New Year

A more contemporary greeting reflective of western influences, it literally translates from the greeting "Happy new year" more common in the west. But in northern parts of China, traditionally people say simplified Chinese: 过年好; traditional Chinese: 過年好; pinyin: guònian hǎo instead of simplified Chinese: 新年快乐, to differentiate it from the international new year. And 過年好 can be used from the first day to the fifth day of Chinese new year.

Congratulations and be prosperous

Jiaozi is a Chinese dumpling, widely popular in China, Japan, Korea, as well as outside of East Asia particularly in the United States.

When is Chinese New Year in 2008?

The Chinese New Year day is on February 7th, 2008. This day is a new moon day, it is the first day of the first Chinese lunar month in the Chinese Lunar Calendar system. The exact new moon time is at 11:44 on 07-Feb-08 in China time zone.

The Eastern zodiac sign horoscope system is one of the oldest in the world of astrology. The origin of Chinese astrology dates back to the era of Shang Dynasty. It was the beginning of Sexagenary Cycle, which is of sixty years. As per the oriental zodiac system, the entire set up consists of two basic cycles. One includes 10 heavenly stems, which has been made from yin and yang energies. Another is 12 year cycle of animals, which we know as the Chinese zodiac. Thus, every year has a different zodiac and people born in a particular year falls under the same sign category.

Dragon dance is a form of traditional dance and performance in Chinese culture. Like the lion dance it is most often seen in festive celebrations. Chinese people often use the term "Descendants of the Dragon"

Lion dance (Simplified Chinese: 舞狮; Traditional Chinese: 舞獅; Pinyin: wǔshī) is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture, in which performers mimic a lion's movements in a lion costume .

Chun lian is a special type of Duilian, or couplet. It is used only during the Chinese New Year as part of its celebration. While duilian is permanent, chunlian is a temporary decoration to be placed on the entrance of the house, somewhat akin to Halloween and Christmas decorations.

Duilian comprises of a couplet written on vertical strips of red paper in the best calligraphic style one can muster. In addition, a third horizontal piece may be posted across and on top the door.

The Dog is the eleventh animal among the twelve Chinese zodiac animals in the Chinese horoscope. The rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse, ram, monkey, rooster, dog , and boar rotate annually.