2018 – Year Of The Dog – HLH Schedule
Chinese New Year is right around the corner. A time in China for family and friends and a bit of a break from business. 2018 is the year of the Dog, a special year for many that promises to bring with it happiness, luck and prosperity. Not sure what Chinese New Year is all about or when exactly Chinese New Year is? Well, stick with us for a quick read and we will try to answer all your questions 🙂
The first thing you need to know is that Chinese New Year takes place on a different date each year as it follows the lunar calendar. New Year’s Day normally falls between January 21 and February 20. This year the official start date is February 16. Although the official start day is the 16th just about all businesses in China shut down for a period before and after this date. HLH will be closed from February 12th to February 23rd this year.
Why is 2018 the year of the Dog? The Chinese zodiac moves in a 12-year cycle, and those born in 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, and 2018 are known as Dogs. If you were born in 1922, well God bless ya, glad you are still with us, let me buy you a drink! The animal years in order are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.
If you were born in the year of the Dog then in Chinese culture you are known as a dog and that brings with it some luck. Lucky numbers: 3, 4, 9. Lucky colours: red, green, and purple. Lucky flowers: rose, cymbidium orchids. Lucky directions: east, south, and northeast. Lucky days: the 7th and 28th of every Chinese lunar month.
Not only is 2018 the year of the Dog, it is specifically an Earth Dog. There are 5 types of Dogs that match the old elements of Wood, Fire, Earth, Gold and Water. Those born this year will be Communicative, serious, and responsible in work. So maybe your Earth Dog baby can take care of you well in retirement 🙂
What is the typical personality of a Dog? Loyal and honest, well, not a stretch there. You were born with a good nature and are always ready to help others. But, you lack communication skills (at times) so people may view you as stubborn.
Famous Dogs include Winston Churchill, Mother Teresa, Madonna, Steven Speilberg and Elvis Presley. Full disclosure, Justin Beiber is also a Dog, sorry about that 🙁
Chinese New Year with all the fireworks, parades, dragons (yes dragons), food, drink, and good cheer is a great event to be around. If you have never experienced a Chinese New Year celebration then try to find a local celebration, you likely will not have to travel far 🙂
True or False
1/6th of the world’s population celebrates Chinese New Year. True
Getting together with family over this period has become optional in recent times. False, you better show up for dinner 🙂
Red envelopes are still given as the primary form of gift each Chinese New Year. True
Chinese New Year has been celebrated for 2000 years. Mostly False, it has been celebrated for at least 4000 years.
Chinese New Year can also be called Spring Festival. True
Mandarin trees are used to decorate homes and offices. True, mandarin trees are thought to bring good luck.
Firecrackers are lit during the festival period to scare away evil spirits. True, buy earplugs 🙂
Happy New Year in Mandarin is “Gong Hey Fat Choy”. False, that is Cantonese, Madarin is “Gong Xi Fa Cai”.
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If you are in Shenzhen for Chinese New Year this year check out our blog from last year on some things to do. Bye-bye rooster, we will miss you.
