In season
Chinese New Year
Celebrate Chinese New Year on February 7th, 2008 with a tribute to one of the oldest and richest cultures in the world.
Year of the rat
Legend has it that in ancient times Buddha called all the animals to a meeting on Chinese New Year. Only 12 beasts bothered to show, so the golden god named a year after each one of them. Your personality will have traits of whatever animal holds the title of your birthday. 2008 belongs to the rat which makes you charming, passionate, charismatic and hardworking. Bet you never realised rodents had so many sides to them!
All dressed-up in red and gold
Both red and gold symbolise good luck and an auspicious beginning to the year. It's not just the table linen that gets a splash of colour, homes are often given a bright lick of red paint to complement the many red lanterns, festive bunting and twinkling lights.On New Year's Day, married couples present children and unmarried people with red envelopes of money as a token of good luck.
Food and harmony
The New Year celebrates nature coming back to life after the long winter break – it’s a time for tending the land and of high-hopes for a full larder in the year ahead.Traditionally, Chinese cooking focuses on harmony – the balance of flavours, textures, temperatures, colours and aromas – all encapsulated in the philosophy of Yin and Yang.
In the month before New Year, such dishes as hot rice soup, studded with nuts, dried lotus seeds, red beans and dried dates are enjoyed. Rice soup is thought to purify the body in readiness for a clean start to the New Year.
See our Chinese cuisine guide for great recipe ideas
