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5 things about Year of the Rooster and how to celebrate Chinese New Year around the world

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Jan 27, 2017

While some of us have already wrapped up our New Year plans, the festivities are just getting started for many.The Lunar New Year happens in between late January and February, recognizing an animal from the zodiac system. This year, Lunar New Year is January 28.From the vibrant parades to teams of lion dancers taking the streets, there is plenty to do. This year we celebrate the Year of Rooster; we have your travel guide on how to celebrate the Lunar New Year in different countries across the globe.  

Here are 5 things you probably didn't know about the Year of Rooster.

 

Each year, the Chinese calendar assigns an animal from a rotating zodiac of 12 animals.

The 12 animals cycle through rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. 2016 was the Year of the Monkey. Apart from 2017, the Year of the Rooster includes the years 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005 and 2029. 

2017 is a Fire Rooster

  

According to Chinese astrology, each year is associated with one of five elements as well as an animal, including gold (metal), wood, water, fire or Earth. The element, combined with the zodiac animal, set the astrology for the year. This year is a fire year, and so those born in 2017 are Fire Roosters. The last Fire Rooster Year was 1957.

Famous Roosters include Beyoncé, Bob Marley, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears and Jennifer Aniston.

 

Roosters are characterized as observant and hardworking.

Active and talkative, Roosters tend to enjoy social events and being in the center of attention, according to Chinese astrology. They also typically enjoy sports, according to traits set by the astrology.

2017 is set to be unlucky for Roosters, according to Chinese astrology, because being in the year of one's birth sign does not bode well.

Chinese astrology dictates that Roosters will have to monitor their money and health extra carefully. However, when it comes to love, Roosters truly in love are advised to get married. Those in dead-end relationships should consider breaking up, according to the astrology.

 

Chinese New Year celebrations around the world

 

Bangkok, Thailand

  

The colorful city of Bangkok is home to one of the most vibrant Chinatowns in the world and is one of the oldest parts of the city located Samphanthawang district. Yaowarat Road is the center of the district, which is also known for its night food tours. Be prepared to work your way through the hectic crowds and wear red to be a part of the party. Homes and shops along the road are decorated with the red lanterns in honor of the events. It's certainly the place to be during Chinese New Year.

What to do: Visit the Lengnoeiyi Temple on Charoen Krung street to pray for some good fortune and the Dragon Flower Temple for some beautiful views of the traditional garden. Make sure to attend the Lantern Festival that occurs the following and head to the dragon parade on New Year’s Day.

Lengnoeiyi Temple on Charoen Krung street

 

New York City

 

Located in lower Manhattan is the Big Apple’s Chinatown, a popular attraction for tourists and a favorite shopping destination for locals. Besides the hundreds of delicious Chinese, Thai, Malaysian, and Asian fusion restaurants, there’s plenty to keep you busy in this part of the city.What to do: Before the Lunar New Parade and Firecracker ceremony begin, head to Carma Asian Tapas in the West Village for $1 dumplings (RM 4.43). If you’re a lover of the arts, the New York Philharmonic is hosting their annual Chinese New Year Celebration at Lincoln Center. 

Lima, Peru

  Lima, Peru, is home to one of Latin America’s largest Chinese communities. Ten to 15 percent of the city’s population is reported to have Chinese descent. While their Chinatown is just a small enclave known as Barrio Chino isn’t as big as it’s international counterparts, it doesn’t stop the community from coming to life with festive dancers taking the streets with the people in celebration for the new year. 

Barrio Chino, Peru

 What to do: Head to Capon street for a stripe of Cantonese-style Chinese restaurants decorated for the Chinese New Year and enjoy some good food while watching a performance from the lion dancers in street. 

Vancouver, Canada

 

Centered on Pender Street in the eastern side of the downtown financial lies the third largest Chinatown in North America. Vancouver’s Chinatown is home to not only authentic Chinese markets and a growing nightlife; it is also home to the beautiful Dr. Son Yat SenClassical Chinese Garden for exquisite floral arrangements. For Chinese New Year, the dragon parade is a lavish display of celebration along numerous events in the district.What to do: Attend the Chinese New Year Banquet at the Floata Seafood Restaurant for great traditional Chinese food. After a great meal, see a cultural variety show at the Spring Festival before the Chinese New Year Parade. 

Dr. Son Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden

 

San Francisco, California

 

Home to the largest Chinatown outside of Asia, the San Francisco neighborhood attracts tourists from all walks of life, all year round—even drawing more visitors than the Golden Gate Bridge. You can’t leave without taking a trip to the Golden Gate Bakery to get a homemade fortune cookie and snapping a picture in front the Dragon Gate.What to do: Before you get ready for the big parade, take a visit to Tien Hau Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the Americas to pray for some good fortune into the New Year. Next, head to the Chinese New Year Flower Fair for a vibrant flower show.

Tien Hau Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the Americas

Melbourne, Australia

  

Within the city center in Melbourne, Australia lays the oldest Chinatown in the Southern Hemisphere. Melbourne's Chinatown is known for its beautiful historic buildings from its inception in the 1800s located on the eastern end of the city off Little Burke Street. Be sure visit the Chinese Museum to learn about the district's history in Australia along with ancient artifacts. It's also known for its thriving culinary scene for traditional Chinese cuisine in the city.

What to do: Make a wish on The Lantern Wishing Tree and don’t miss the Chinatown Square Lighting where the entire district illuminates in red in celebration. Take a visit to the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple for blessings for the new year and head to the Dragon Parade to see the famous Dai Loong Dragon float.

Chinatown Square Lighting, Melbourne

Wishing you and your family a very happy and prosperous Chinese New Year!

Gong Xi Fa Cai!