Chinese New Year is THE most important traditional holiday in China. It's somewhat the equivalent of Christmas in the western culture. It's all about family being together, all about happiness, fortune, and of course about lots of nice food and drinks.
The Chinese New Year's Eve is known as 'Chú Xī '.The first day of the first month (i.e. New Year's Day) is called 'Zhēng Yuè Chū Yī'. The 'Spring Festival' (Chūn Jié) starts from 'Zhēng Yuè Chū Yī' and lasts 15 days until the 15th day of the first month ('Zhēng Yuè Shí Wǔ'), also known as the 'Lantern Festival'.
During the 'Spring Festival', people will visit family members, relatives, and friends and give each other gifts and presents. The elderly will give the youngsters/children red envelops with 'lucky money' in them for good fortune. It's a custom that people express their best wishes to each other. Big meals/feasts are important part of the festival.
The Chinese zodiac is made of 12 animals, each representing a year on a rotating basis. Year 2012 is the year of Dragon (lóng nián). There are plenty of fortune-telling books and resources to guide you how to have a good year, if you believe in what they say.
What's written here about Chinese New Year is only the tip of the iceberg. With some research and study, you will find much more about the culture of the No. 1 holiday in China.
I recently came across the flash video below and thought it provides quite true and updated information about China. I should definitely share this with all of you. Enjoy!
Chinese people have family names and given names. However, unlike English names, Chinese last names come first while Chinese first names come last. For example, a famous Chinese film director is called 'Zhang Yimou'. His surname is 'Zhang' and his first name is 'Yimou'.
In China, when a woman gets married, she doesn't have to change her surname. In fact, most women don't. However, there is a phenomenon (mostly seen in Hong Kong) that a woman would add her husband's surname before her full name.
As a foreigner in China, you may find it useful to have a Chinese name (something that sounds like your original name and has a good meaning). Many Chinese people have English (or foreign) names. I guess it's all about finding common ground and making better communication. The video below is about names and really fun to watch.
