Chinese New Year
by Fu-Wei O’Sullivan (Fifth Class)
Today the 23rd of January 2012 we celebrate the Chinese New Year, the year of the Dragon. This year is a special year for me as I was born in the year of the Dragon. Dragons have come to mark success, wealth and importance. In China dragons are often shown chasing a pearl, believed to be a piece of the moon. The Dragon is one of the 12 year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac.
In China planes, buses, boats and any means of transport you can imagine are full of people returning home to enjoy the celebrations with their family and friends. All over the world where ever there is a Chinatown, the celebrations are a colourful display of Dragon dances, lantern festivals, feasts and of course firecrackers.
Chinese flag
The Chinese flag was first flown on October 1st 1949, the day of the peoples’ Republic of China. The flag has a red field with five golden stars.
Chopsticks
Chopsticks are made from unfinished wood or bamboo. Chopsticks for adults are about 10 and a half inches long and shorter for children.
12 Chinese Zodiac signs Rat,Ox,Tiger,Rabbit,Dragon,Snake,Horse,Sheep,Monkey,Rooster,Dog and Pig.