Gung Hay Fat Choy - Chinese New year Best wishes

Chinese new year has been started and Chinese people around the world are celebrating. Chinese new year is also recognized as Chinese lunar new year which started on 3rd February and lasts for 15 days. Gung Hay Fat Choy (Gong Xi Fa Chai) is a Chinese phrase that means "Best wishes and congratulations. Have a prosperous and good year!" In Mandarin Chinese it is pronounced as “Xin Nian Kuai Le” or “Xin Nian Yu Kuai.”

Photo by bloomsberries from flickr

As per Chinese calendar 2011 is the year of Rabbit, the Chinese Zodiac that have 12 animal signs. Even Chinese new year occur in winter, it is known as "Spring Festival" in China. After the fall harvest and prior to spring planting season the Chinese new year is celebrated and the date of the new year always alter. The Chinese new year began with a battle against a mythical beast, Nian which arrives on the 1st day of new year to frighten people. So people put food in front of their doors to protect themselves against the terrible hunger of the beast.

People celebrate new year by decorating their homes and they give gifts to each other as well as wish Gung Hay Fat Choy. Activities of this festival are Chinese New Feast, giving lucky money to children, firecrackers, the New Year bell ringing and Chinese New Year Greetings. Dragons and lions are considered to be the powerful animals to drive away bad spirits and demons so they are highly displayed in this festival. Chinese new year finish with “Lantern festival” on the 15th day. 2012 Chinese year will be the year of dragon.

Video of Chinese New Year 2011 from youtube: