Chinese New Year activities - social studies activities - Levels 4 and 5

Chinese New Year

2012: Year of the Dragon

Each year of the Chinese calendar is represented by an animal. In 2012 it is the Year of the Dragon. In ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig (Boar). Buddha named a year after each one. Just as there is a belief that your star sign determines your personality, it is believed that people born in each animal's year would possess some of that creature's personality.

The Year of the Rabbit is the fourth of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. Those born in the Year of the Rabbit are calm people who will avoid confrontation at all costs. When angry about something, a Rabbit will approach it calmly and considerately. Rabbits are private individuals and would rather work behind-the-scenes instead of being the center of attention. Rabbits are  friendly individuals who enjoys the company of a group of good friends. Rabbits just like to be a part of the gang as opposed to the leader of it.

The Chinese New Year is celebrated as the symbol of spring's celebration. In fact in China the Chinese New Year is still called the Spring festival. It is celebrated after the fall harvest and before the spring planting season. The date of the Chinese New Year is always changing and is dependant on the Chinese calendar. Emperor Huangdi in the year 2637 B.C.E invented the Chinese calendar.

Chinese New Year is a time of great celebration, filled with fireworks, performance and symbolism. The lion dance is performed as it is believed to bring good luck, good fortune and good health while also driving away evil spirits. It is also a time of mass migration, as Chinese all over the world travel home to have reunion dinners with their families.

The colour red is dominant at Chinese New Year as it symbolises fire, which can drive away bad luck. People wear red clothes and give children lucky money in red envelopes.

Activities

1. Find out what year you were born in according to the Chinese calendar. Remember that the Chinese New Year usually starts in February. 
2. What year will next year be according to the Chinese calendar?
3. See if you can find out some of the characteristics of people born in your year. Wikipedia is a good place to look.
4. How is the Chinese New Year different from the New Year celebrated by many other people on 31 December? List at least four differences.
5. How is the Chinese New Year similar to the New Year celebrated by many other people on 31 December? List at least four similarities.
6. In a paragraph, of between four and six lines, explain why you think many people and cultures celebrate occasions like New Year or birthdays? 
7. Describe how you or your family usually celebrate a New Year. If you don't celebrate it, explain why not. 
8. In what way is the Chinese calendar similar to the Western calendar?