Chinese New Year 2016: Year of the Monkey.

The monster Nian ate children and farm animals but it was afraid of light colours and loud sound.
It is the grandest and the most important event for Chinese people. It's a time for enjoying family and friends and remembering ancestors.

People usually give gift of red envelopes of lucky money. There are a lot of ancient customs, superstitions and stories about Chinese New Year.
Are you a monkey, a rat, an ox or a horse?

Why do you think people decorate their houses in red?
Why do you think people set off firecrackers?
Why do you think people light candles?
Why do you think people stay up the whole night?


The festival lasts for 15 days from the 1st to the 15th day of the first lunar month. The lunar calendar is also used for horoscopes. Which zodiac sign are you?

What about the  Chinese zodiac? Do you know about the twelve Chinese zodiac animals?
Which Chinese zodiac animal are you? What does it say about you?

There are eleven real-life animals and a mythical one.
Are you a clever rat? Are you a brave tiger? Are you a hard-working ox? An energetic dragon?

Every Chinese person is associated with one of the animals based on the year he or she was born.

Pic: www.lovepredictions com

Click here to find out your sign forecast for next year

Now let's learn how to say "Happy New Year" in Chinese.