Chinese new year

Cultural traits: A feature or quality about something that makes it different from others.




The tray of togetherness (chuen-hop): To welcome visitors to their homes, many families put out a food tray. There are eight parts in the tray. Each part has a special food in it. Some people believe that if you eat lotus seeds, you will have sons. If you eat the melon, you will grow tall and have good health. If you eat the coconut, your family will stay together. If you eat the watermelon seeds, you will have plenty of whatever you need.



Chinese calendar, animals and their significance: The Chinese believe you share some traits with the animal that rules the year in which you were born. The rat is friendly and busy. The ox is loyal and dependable. The tiger is brave and quick to act. The rabbit is shy and quiet. The dragon is strong and wise. The snake is tricky and cautious. The horse is cheerful and free-spirited. The sheep is trustworthy and loving. The monkey is funny and mischievous. The rooster is proud and hardworking. The dog is loyal and faithful. The pig is smart and kind.



Peaches would bring long life, the way noodles would, if we slurped them up without biting. Tangerines meant this was a lucky house, a house full of joy and warmth, full of orange-rd fire. The Chinese word for 'fish' sounds like the Chinese word for 'plenty.'



Chinese New Year by Alice K Flanagan

McGraw-Hill's Chinese illustrated dictionary

This next new Year by Janet S Wong