Chinese New Year : The Year of Ox

Congratulations to all my Chinese friends and the whole Chinese nation all over the world on New Chinese Year with the zodiac sign of Ox.The New Chinese Year is starting from today (Friday), February 12, 2021 which is a Year of the Oxand would last until January 31st, 2022. It will be a Metal Ox Year. Chinese New Year marks the start of a new lunar year. The Chinese New Year zodiac is made up of 12 animals, each used to represent years. Zodiac signs play an integral part in Chinese culture and can be used to determine your fortune for the year, marriage compatibility, career fit, best times to have a baby and muchmuch more!
The zodiac sign Ox occupies the second position in the Chinese Zodiac. The 12 zodiac animals in order, are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Ox is used to be capable farming tools in an agricultural society, which attach to the symbol of diligence, persistence, and honesty.
The recent zodiac years of Ox sign are: 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033…An Ox year occurs after every 12 years.
Chinese New Year, commonly called the Spring Festival, is one of the most important traditional holidays in China. It is also one of the busiest times of the year for Chinese people as well as tourists from around the world. The actual date of the holiday is determined by the lunar calendar and falls on the first day of the Spring of the Year. The traditional festival is very different from that of other Chinese traditional holidays, with feasting and gift giving being replaced by a massive celebration involving parades,games and extravagant displays of traditional Chinese talents such as acrobatics and singing.
For hundreds of years, Chinese people have celebrated the beginning of the new year with great ceremonies. These ceremonies are based on the myth of the Dragon Gate, which is supposedly a big stone which will open after the Dragon is placarded by a son looking to start a new planting and farming farm. Legend has it that if the Dragon gate is not opened on the first day of the year, evil spirits will surround the area and turn the crops into mud. If the Dragon gate is opened on the first day, the people will prosper and enjoy a prosperous year. If it is not opened, evil spirits will surround the area and turn the crops to mud.
On the first day of Chinese New Year, families gather to admire the ram as it comes out of its shell. They then decorate the statue using flowers and ribbons and wish the new year upon it. This is often done in front of a large mirror so as to make it look as real as possible. Often people place lit lanterns, or windchimes, to cast a positive energy and create a soothing effect around the area.
Another way of wishing Chinese New Year upon the Ox is by throwing rice grains down into the water. They will be eaten by the Ox, the following day. However, this tradition usually gets stopped by owners who fear that it will disrupt the animal. In addition, Ox parts and bones are burned instead. Other methods used are pouring hot oil over the body or scattering holy sand around.
Chinese people like to use the symbol of the dragon as their most important symbol. They call upon the animal to protect them and watch over them. When the New Year approaches, they pay a visit to the dragon statue and pray for good health and prosperity. Sometimes, people also bring along some kind of bright red liquid in a small bowl. They use it to wash the face and hands of the dragon, hoping to remove any negative energy that the animal may carry away with it.
When Chinese celebrate Chinese New Year, they always do it in a peaceful and joyous manner. Unlike the time before, there is no bloodshed. People just play games, eat well, have good parties and sing songs. The event is considered to be very important by Chinese.