Pronounced "Sing Nee-an Kwai Ler" or Happy Chinese New Year....2009 is the Year of the OX!
Today begins a 15 day celebration of the Chinese New Year. In China, this is considered the most significant of holidays. It is a time of new intentions and new beginnings. Chinese New Year celebration, traditionally known as the Spring Festival, begins on the first lunar new moon of the year and ends on the full moon. Each new year is represented by an animal that is associated with the lunar calendar's 12 astrological animals. Adelyn was born the Year of the Dog, 2006. Positive characteristics related to this sign: Trustworthy, faithful, fair, protective, intelligent, and brave. We couldn't agree more!!!
We travelled to China last year just after the Chinese New Year. Although we didn't get the opportunity to see the fireworks, dragon parades and festivals, we did enjoy seeing the traditional door decorations, lanterns and red envelopes. The Lantern Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the Chinese New Year. Lanterns are hung to symbolize the light and warmth of the coming spring as well as serve as a guidelight for the ancestral spirits.
The next photo was taken in the lobby of the White Swan Hotel, GuangZhou. This was two hours before Adelyn was placed in our arms! If you notice the tree behind us has many red envelopes hanging from the branches. Money given in red envelopes is considered "lucky." The Chinese word for red, hong, also sounds like "vast or liberal (in Chinese)," leading to the belief that money wrapped in red will bring prosperity and good fortune.
We celebrated the Chinese New Year tonight with several local families that have adopted from Asia. We met at the China Star Restaurant in Bardstown. Adelyn was a bit shy at first but warmed up to her new friends as the fortune cookies were passed out. She refused to sit by herself for the group picture so Mommy had to join her. We were glad to see so many adopted children from Asia in our neck of the woods.
