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Chinese New Year 2008 Thursday, February 7 marked the first day of the year 4705, the Year of the Rat, on the Chinese calendar. The Rat was welcomed in ancient times as a protector and bringer of material prosperity. It is the first in the 12-year cycle of animals that appear in the Chinese zodiac. The Rat is associated with aggression, wealth, charm, and order. The Chinese New Year begins on day of the second new moon after the winter solstice, and with it commences the most important traditional Chinese holiday, a period of celebration that lasts until the next full moon fifteen days later. The Chinese New Year has been celebrated at this time of year since 104 B.C.E., during the Han Dynasty. However, other celebrations of the new year date back to approximately 2600 B.C.E. In fact, the first celebrations of the new year stemmed from a legend about a ferocious beast called the Nian, who would emerge from the mountains to prey on humans once every 12 months. People believed that loud noises and the color red would scare the Nian away, and fireworks and the color red persist in Chinese New Year celebrations to this day. A traditional celebration begins with a reunion dinner on the eve of the new year. People travel great distances to reunite with their families and enjoy a sumptuous meal; in fact, there will often be an abundance of food, to ensure that the new year begins with a surplus, and thus with good fortune. In the first days of the new year, families conduct a series of visits to family and friends. People also celebrate by setting off fireworks and firecrackers (or, in more urban areas, attending public firework displays); handing out red packets containing money; and eating delicious food. Celebrations of the Chinese New Year are not limited to China itself. The Lunar New Year is a public holiday in several other Asian countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea. Furthermore, celebrations of the Chinese New Year occur around the globe in countries with significant Chinese populations, including Australia, Canada, France, El Salvador, and the United States. In particular, there is a strong tradition of Chinese New Year parades in the United States and Canada, which dates back to the initial surge of Chinese immigrants during the California Gold Rush. The most prominent examples occur in large cities, such as San Francisco, New York City, and Vancouver. However, many smaller cities with historical connections to Chinese immigration also participate. We at Zhang & Associates are filled with joy when we see celebrations of the Chinese New Year here in the United States—many of which are attended not only by the Chinese community, but many different Americans of various cultural backgrounds. To us, these celebrations provide a beautiful representation of different traditions mixing together in a way that has defined American culture in the past, and will continue to do so in the future. As the Year of the Rat begins, we at Zhang & Associates would like to send wishes of prosperity and good fortune to all of our clients across the country and throughout the world. We look forward to helping you make this year even better than the last. --------------- At Zhang & Associates, P.C., our attorneys and supporting professionals are committed to providing high quality immigration and non-immigration visa services. We specialize in NIW, EB-1, PERM and I-485 cases. In the past twelve years, we have successfully helped thousands of clients get green cards. If you plan to apply for a green card, please send your CV to Attorney Jerry Zhang (info@hooyou.com) for a free evaluation. Houston: 7324 Southwest Freeway, Suite 1088, Houston, TX 77074 In the moment of dynamics, our clients can always count on us. (02/14/2008) For more immigration news, please click here |
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