The dragons of China, Japan and Korea are all slightly different – and of course each land believes that all Eastern Dragons originated there. A nice overview of Eastern Dragons, their differences, the types of dragons, life stages and other interesting information can be found on her Black Drago pages at Eastern Dragon Overview. Look here for her details on Dragon Types.
The Circle of the Dragon by Kylie McCormick (drago) looks like “the place” to go for online information on Eastern Dragons. Amanda and Donna Quinn have other pages full of information on Eastern Dragons and their anatomy and lots of linked pages from the Somerland Gallery home page. I liked the Sommerland and Black Drago sites because they give references for the information they have.
Clair Russell has some dragon illustrations – and more dragon links. I like someone else's Chinese Dragons' Physical Description page - although perhaps it is because when you move the cursor 5 little dragons follow it around. (I did not see any references of bibliography on this webpage but I may have missed it.) The page seems to have been set up originally in honor of Chinese New Year 2000/4698 , The Year of the Metal Dragon.
I also like this Legend of the Chinese Dragon.
These pages are full of information. Some of it explicitly said it was free to use for educational purposes, but if you want to use any of it, be sure to follow the copyright and reference information for each page. For more see Chinese Dragon Culture.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Friday, December 23, 2005
Future Dates
Saturday, February 18, 2007 - Year of the Boar (Fire Pig)
Thursday, February 7, 2008 - Year of the Rat - "The First Year" - (Earth Rat)
Monday, January 26, 2009 - Year of the Ox (Earth Ox)
Sunday, February 14, 2010 - Year of the Tiger (Metal Tiger)
Thursday, February 3, 2011 - Year of the Hare (Metal Hare)
Monday, January 23, 2012 - Year of the Dragon (Water Dragon)
Sunday, February 10, 2013 - Year of the Snake (Water Snake)
Friday, January 31, 2014 - Year of the Horse (Wood)
February 19, 2015 - Year of the Ram (Wood)
February 8, 2016 - Year of the Monkey (Fire)
January 28, 2017 - Year of the Rooster (Fire)
February. 16, 2018 - Year of the Dog (Earth)
February 05, 2019 - Year of the Boar (Earth) January 25, 2020 - Year of the Metal Rat – “The first year” To determine the dates and animals for any Lunar New Year from 1645 to 2644, see:
http://www.romanization.com/chinesenewyear/ Sunday, January 29, 2006 - Year of the Red Fire Dog - (Chinese Year 4704)
Year of the Dog begins Jan. 29, 2006
The Year of the Dog begins on January 29, 2006. (Chinese Year 4704)
This means that February 12th ‘should’ find you preparing for the Lantern festival which begins on the 15th night, which is February 13th this year.
To see a Chinese calendar for January & February 2006, go to:
http://www.chinapage.com/astronomy/calendar/2006/sc-2006-1.pdf
http://www.chinapage.com/astronomy/calendar/2006/sc-2006-2.pdf
There is a special name for the first day of the new year - but you should be able to see the character for 2 (二), on January 30th, and for 3 (三) on January 31st.
For more on Chinese calendars see:
http://www.chinapage.com/astronomy/calendar/calendar.html
http://www.new-year.co.uk/chinese/calendar.htm
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Downloadable CNY Music
Here's a website with some popular Spring Festival songs in both MP3 and Midi formats. It is mostly in Chinese but the song titles and download links are also in English.
http://homepage.10000h.com/chunjie/06.htm
Enjoy!
http://homepage.10000h.com/chunjie/06.htm
Enjoy!
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Lantern Festival Origins
In ancient times, the lantern festival was a time to worship Taiyi, the God of Heaven. It is said that Taiyi controlled the destiny of the human world and was helped by sixteen dragons. These dragons brought drought, storms famine or pestilence.
Qin shi-huang, the first Emperor to unite China, ordered splendid ceremonies be held every year to please or appease Tayi. The people of China and the Emperors that followed believed that these ceremonies pleased Taiyi and helped bring good weather and good health to the people of China.
A later Emperor named Wudi proclaimed that this celebration was one of China's most important and for this reason it would last all night.
The Yuanxiao Story: Long ago in ancient China there lived a palace maid named Yuan xiao, a kind and clever girl who was locked up in the palace of her Emperor Wu Di all year round. This made her sad and homesick. Luckily she found a friend in a minister called Dongfang Shuo.
Shuo made up a story for the emperor which helped Yuanxiao see her family again. He said that the God of Fire has been ordered to set the city of Changan on fire on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar year. Let us make him think the city is already on fire by setting off fire crackers and hanging red lanterns all over the city.
In order to do this, everyone, even the palace maids, will have to help and take part in a great lantern show. Now Shuo knew that the God of Fire loved to watch a good fire show and liked the dumplings made by Yuanxiao just as much. "Let Yuanxiao give her dumplings to the fire god," said Shuo to his emperor, "for that will please him and save the city from fire."
The Emperor ordered all the people of Changan to spend the whole night setting off firecrackers and playing with lanterns. It was a very rare thing for girls to go out at night and meet boys of their same age. Yuanxiao was able to leave the palace and meet her family for a fine and happy time and the next year it all happened again!
The Emperor Wu Di enjoyed himself so much that he ordered even more red lanterns for the next year. (Red was the color to scare away evil spirits and bad luck.) So, on the very same day this next year, Yuanxiao made her dumplings again and saw her family.
In other versions, the emperor had done something to displease the god and others worked to trick the god. On that night, when the god saw the lights from the city, he believed that the city had been set on fire.
Friday, February 18, 2005
Hong bao Lanterns for the 15th day
Lantern Festival is the 15th day of the Chinese New Year celebrations. This full moon marks the end of Chinese New Year festivities. Usually preparations for lantern Festival are made on the 14th day.
Consider making your own lantern. Animal shapes are popular. You can always have the children slit construction paper, roll it and make a classic cylinder -- or have them make a small one from a red hong bao envelope.
Here are more interesting lanterns from those red envelopes. There is a daily limit on the site, but if it is reached, just try the next day - earlier in the day. You may be able to leave the site up in your browser and just press "refresh" in the morning... Once you have seen what has been done, maybe you will also be inspired to make your own. Keep in mind that the dimensions on the envelopes vary considerably. You can make the same design with different envelopes and get a different look -- or you may find that the directions suggest using 5 envelopes but 4 or 6 work better for you.
Honolulu's Chinatown has more on the history and use of lanterns.
Enjoy!
Consider making your own lantern. Animal shapes are popular. You can always have the children slit construction paper, roll it and make a classic cylinder -- or have them make a small one from a red hong bao envelope.
Here are more interesting lanterns from those red envelopes. There is a daily limit on the site, but if it is reached, just try the next day - earlier in the day. You may be able to leave the site up in your browser and just press "refresh" in the morning... Once you have seen what has been done, maybe you will also be inspired to make your own. Keep in mind that the dimensions on the envelopes vary considerably. You can make the same design with different envelopes and get a different look -- or you may find that the directions suggest using 5 envelopes but 4 or 6 work better for you.
Honolulu's Chinatown has more on the history and use of lanterns.
Enjoy!
Saturday, February 05, 2005
Another mom did this...
Here is the tale of what another mom did one year for her daughter's preschool - and the impact it had on the class!
www.fwcc.org/dragonmouth.html
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Parade Photos
Enjoy photos from previous years' San Francisco Chinese New Year parades.
Not from New Year's - but here is a video slip of a Parade Dragon.
Other photos:
Not from New Year's - but here is a video slip of a Parade Dragon.
Other photos:
Lion dancers must show their courage by dancing close to the exploding firecrackers.
The dancing unicorn is distinguished by its narrow horselike jaw.
The feisty red-faced lion prepares to solve a ritual puzzle.
The shaggy yellow costume of the northern lion totally conceals the dancers who perform an entertaining acrobatic show
Chinese Food - you can make it!
WARNING: Always, always check for food allergies. Some parents do not expect that their child would come into contact with nuts or shellfish and do not always pass on information about food allergies or a family history of food allergies. Some believe that children, especially those with a family history of allergies, should not be exposed to nuts, berries or shellfish until they are at least 3 or 5 or even 10 years old. Some schools make foods but do not allow children to eat them in school, sending the finished product home with a list of ingredients. People can become so allergic to an item that air-borne contact can trigger a reaction.
No liability is accepted in any way in making suggestions for Chinese food that may be simple to make.
What is simple to make depends in part on your confidence, experience, the age of your students and the size of your class. Some teachers have brought rice cookers or electric flying pans into classrooms and made many dishes in a space with no kitchen. As with any lesson plan, it will be more successful if you try it yourself first and plan for any changes or accommodations needed due to your particular needs, space, or students.
Chopsticks
I think chopsticks should always be used and shown. Asia education has a page on Using Chopsticks, and I bet there are videos on the web now!
The Food
Dumplings, jiaozi, of many varieties are available at your local Asian grocery. Dumplings (jiaozi and steamed cdumplings or bao) and wonton skins should be in the freezer section, and may also be in the refrigerated section. An Asian grocery would be a good source for other prepared foods, well as boxes for things like fried rice or mapo dofu sauce.
Wontons or dumplings made with raw meat are usually cooked in boiling water within 3-4 minutes. Cut one open to check for doneness or use a probe thermometer to ensure the desired temperature has been reached. You may want to have a flavored broth in a separate bowl. Wontons, especially some of the children’s will start to unwrap, especially if overcooked.
Noodles are traditionally eaten more in wheat-growing areas, and rice is eaten more close to where it is grown. I think that this sort of information is as important as geographic features of China.
Eggdrop soup is simple and Chinese but not associated with any particular holiday.
I like the sound of the recipe Pinkcocoa found for claypot chicken recipe - adapted to a rice cooker - although not so much the broken English conversation after the recipe. We have not tried it yet or her Taiwanese meatballs - although they are a comfort food and not New Year's feast dish.
The San Francisco Chronicle shares some recipes in Chinese New Year is all about tradition. I think we are trying the winter cone-shaped bamboo suggestions. The Times of London has some in Jill Duplex's Chinese New Year Feast article. Or, read my entry on Chinese New Year Foods in general.
Updated: 3/2007
No liability is accepted in any way in making suggestions for Chinese food that may be simple to make.
What is simple to make depends in part on your confidence, experience, the age of your students and the size of your class. Some teachers have brought rice cookers or electric flying pans into classrooms and made many dishes in a space with no kitchen. As with any lesson plan, it will be more successful if you try it yourself first and plan for any changes or accommodations needed due to your particular needs, space, or students.
Chopsticks
I think chopsticks should always be used and shown. Asia education has a page on Using Chopsticks, and I bet there are videos on the web now!
The Food
Dumplings, jiaozi, of many varieties are available at your local Asian grocery. Dumplings (jiaozi and steamed cdumplings or bao) and wonton skins should be in the freezer section, and may also be in the refrigerated section. An Asian grocery would be a good source for other prepared foods, well as boxes for things like fried rice or mapo dofu sauce.
Wontons or dumplings made with raw meat are usually cooked in boiling water within 3-4 minutes. Cut one open to check for doneness or use a probe thermometer to ensure the desired temperature has been reached. You may want to have a flavored broth in a separate bowl. Wontons, especially some of the children’s will start to unwrap, especially if overcooked.
Noodles are traditionally eaten more in wheat-growing areas, and rice is eaten more close to where it is grown. I think that this sort of information is as important as geographic features of China.
Eggdrop soup is simple and Chinese but not associated with any particular holiday.
I like the sound of the recipe Pinkcocoa found for claypot chicken recipe - adapted to a rice cooker - although not so much the broken English conversation after the recipe. We have not tried it yet or her Taiwanese meatballs - although they are a comfort food and not New Year's feast dish.
The San Francisco Chronicle shares some recipes in Chinese New Year is all about tradition. I think we are trying the winter cone-shaped bamboo suggestions. The Times of London has some in Jill Duplex's Chinese New Year Feast article. Or, read my entry on Chinese New Year Foods in general.
Updated: 3/2007
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Chinese Writing
Chinese writing not only does not look like our writing, it is very unique in that each character has its own meaning and sound. The written language is not phonetic. While English is considered harder to learn to speak and use, this makes Chinese harder to (learn to) write.
Chinese characters are also read differently, from top to bottom right to left. They are not written left to right to horizontal rows as English and other romance languages. Long Is a Dragon: Chinese Writing for Children by Peggy Goldstein is a nice introduction to some of the characters. Or, just show them the Chinese numbers. As of February 2005, they could be found at:
www.edhelper.com/ChineseNumbers.htm
www.edhelper.com/ChineseNumbersH1.htm
www.edhelper.com/ChineseNumbersH2.htm
While free exploration when the children are working on their own is fine. I think it is important to at least show the correct stroke order when introducing characters. It is an essential part of the character – even more so than in English. A character that is not written in the right order generally does not look as balanced or as attractive – and this can usually be seen even by people who do not know the characters at all. Stroke order can usually be determined by following a simple set of rules. (It starts “top to bottom, left to right”.)
Calligraphy ink is permanent ink. Some have used it at school. Others use poster paint or poster paint mixed with glue. The glue makes the paint shiny and helps control drips.
Children can make wall hangings – much more Chinese than framed pictures that they may see at home or in school – of calligraphy or paintings. Most Chinese paintings are made with just black ink – the levels of gray are achieved by how much water is used. I know one school where all of the preschoolers and kindergardeners made “bamboo” pictures and they did see the varying shades from using different amounts of water. Using chalk dipped in water will allow children to make a much brighter, more vibrant picture.
An inexpensive wall hanging can be made using a pencil glued to the top of a piece of paper, and tying ribbon to each end.
More more information on Chinese calligraphy see:
http://www.artsedge.kennedy-center.org/content/2217/
http://www.chinapage.com/callig1.html
http://www.chinavista.com/experience/calligraphy/calligra.html
Chinese characters are also read differently, from top to bottom right to left. They are not written left to right to horizontal rows as English and other romance languages. Long Is a Dragon: Chinese Writing for Children by Peggy Goldstein is a nice introduction to some of the characters. Or, just show them the Chinese numbers. As of February 2005, they could be found at:
www.edhelper.com/ChineseNumbers.htm
www.edhelper.com/ChineseNumbersH1.htm
www.edhelper.com/ChineseNumbersH2.htm
While free exploration when the children are working on their own is fine. I think it is important to at least show the correct stroke order when introducing characters. It is an essential part of the character – even more so than in English. A character that is not written in the right order generally does not look as balanced or as attractive – and this can usually be seen even by people who do not know the characters at all. Stroke order can usually be determined by following a simple set of rules. (It starts “top to bottom, left to right”.)
Calligraphy ink is permanent ink. Some have used it at school. Others use poster paint or poster paint mixed with glue. The glue makes the paint shiny and helps control drips.
Children can make wall hangings – much more Chinese than framed pictures that they may see at home or in school – of calligraphy or paintings. Most Chinese paintings are made with just black ink – the levels of gray are achieved by how much water is used. I know one school where all of the preschoolers and kindergardeners made “bamboo” pictures and they did see the varying shades from using different amounts of water. Using chalk dipped in water will allow children to make a much brighter, more vibrant picture.
An inexpensive wall hanging can be made using a pencil glued to the top of a piece of paper, and tying ribbon to each end.
More more information on Chinese calligraphy see:
http://www.artsedge.kennedy-center.org/content/2217/
http://www.chinapage.com/callig1.html
http://www.chinavista.com/experience/calligraphy/calligra.html
Take a look at Chinese painting, and why are colors used and not used
http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/Chinese/html_pages/colors.htm
http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/Chinese/html_pages/poem1.htm
For Animated Chinese Characters
http://www.ocrat.com/chargif/
Chinese New year couplets
http://www.chinapage.com/duilian/chunlian0.html
Write Fu / luck
http://www.chinapage.com/word/luck.html
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
CNY overview
Chinese New Year or Spring Festival (Chūn Jié 春X)
Chinese New Year or Spring Festival (Chūn Jié) is the start of the lunar calendar and the coming of spring. It is the largest Chinese celebration, celebrated at about the same time worldwide. New Year is celebrated around the same time by Chinese people all over the world – on the second new moon after the winter solstice. Chinese New year primarily involves family, friends and food. The celebration used to last 4 weeks but now it is 3 to 4 days. Many people in China get 5 days off to celebrate – although they may have to work the weekend before or afterward to make up for it. Xīn Nián Kuàilè! Gong xi Fa cai! Chūn Jié Kuài lè! Gung Hay Fat Choy! Every community has different ways of celebrating. In American many Chinese families celebrate on the nearest Saturday, being sure to clean the house, decorate with red, share a meal together, and perhaps wear traditional clothes.
The next Chinese New Years are: February 7, 2008; January 26, 2009; February 14, 2010; February 3, 2011; and January 23, 2012. If you want to do something at school, tell your child's teacher sooner rather than later - especially when it is so close to Valentine's Day they need to plan how to spend their time. Some parents are unable to go in when the teacher can support it and just send in (red) lai see or hóngbāo "goodie bags" as if it was a birthday. If you go in a lantern craft or parade, or a dragon to parade under is wonderful. Bring in some background music if you can.
How did Chinese New Year come to be celebrated? According to an ancient legend, once a year people were tormented by a beast called a Nian. Nian was a ferocious creature with a large mouth, capable of swallowing several people in a single bite. Relief from the Nian came only when an old man tricked the beast into disappearing. Or scared it away with loud noises and red. In reality, New Years festivities probably evolved from a desire to celebrate the end of winter and the fertility and rebirth that come with the spring, much like the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia. Today, New Year is about family reunions and wishing everyone good fortune in the coming year. (Nián is Mandarin for year. Happy New Year! Xīn Nián Kuài Lè! 新年快樂! Xīn Nián Hǎo! 新年好!)
Some Chinese traditions for welcoming the New Year & creating good fortune in the year ahead:
Some Astrology: The Chinese Lunar Calendar has a twelve year cycle of zodiac animals, and a cycle of 5 elements. Together they create a 60 year cycle of names, such as Golden Dragon (2000), and Fire Pig (starting in 2007). Someone suggested that the years should more properly be numbered from 0 to 11, of 0 to 59! The animal cycle is: rat/mouse, ox/cow, tiger, hare/rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram/sheep/goat, monkey, rooster/chicken, dog, pig/boar. 1996 was the start of the current 12 year cycle. (The current Sexagenary Cycle started in 1984.) The next 12 year cycle starts on Thursday, February 7, 2008 with a Brown (Earth) Rat Year, 4706. Remember if someone was born between January 19th and February 21st, you can not tell their zodiac year unless you know the date of the Chinese New Year for their birth year. You may not want to discuss the zodiac animals in preschool classes – unless you are prepared for a very noisy room of animal sounds.
Some Chinese believe the animal ruling the year in which a person is born has a profound influence on personality, saying: "This is the animal that hides in your heart." Others use the zodiac just for fun. According to one legend, Lord Buddha summoned all the animals to him before he left the earth. Only twelve responded and came to bid him farewell. For their reward, he named a year after each one of them in the order that they arrived. Another legend says that the years are named, in order, for the animals that raced for the Green Emperor.
There are a number of sites on the web with more information on the Chinese zodiac, Chinese New Year, and Chinese date converters. There are also solar to lunar date converters available for Palm Pilots.
For more on Chinese New Year, see Wikipedia's entry.
The Autumn Jade website has a short description of each animal of the zodiac.
In 2006, the Detroit Free Press did a nice overview titled FIVE THINGS: About the Chinese New Year.
Last updated: February 2007
Chinese New Year or Spring Festival (Chūn Jié) is the start of the lunar calendar and the coming of spring. It is the largest Chinese celebration, celebrated at about the same time worldwide. New Year is celebrated around the same time by Chinese people all over the world – on the second new moon after the winter solstice. Chinese New year primarily involves family, friends and food. The celebration used to last 4 weeks but now it is 3 to 4 days. Many people in China get 5 days off to celebrate – although they may have to work the weekend before or afterward to make up for it. Xīn Nián Kuàilè! Gong xi Fa cai! Chūn Jié Kuài lè! Gung Hay Fat Choy! Every community has different ways of celebrating. In American many Chinese families celebrate on the nearest Saturday, being sure to clean the house, decorate with red, share a meal together, and perhaps wear traditional clothes.
The next Chinese New Years are: February 7, 2008; January 26, 2009; February 14, 2010; February 3, 2011; and January 23, 2012. If you want to do something at school, tell your child's teacher sooner rather than later - especially when it is so close to Valentine's Day they need to plan how to spend their time. Some parents are unable to go in when the teacher can support it and just send in (red) lai see or hóngbāo "goodie bags" as if it was a birthday. If you go in a lantern craft or parade, or a dragon to parade under is wonderful. Bring in some background music if you can.
How did Chinese New Year come to be celebrated? According to an ancient legend, once a year people were tormented by a beast called a Nian. Nian was a ferocious creature with a large mouth, capable of swallowing several people in a single bite. Relief from the Nian came only when an old man tricked the beast into disappearing. Or scared it away with loud noises and red. In reality, New Years festivities probably evolved from a desire to celebrate the end of winter and the fertility and rebirth that come with the spring, much like the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia. Today, New Year is about family reunions and wishing everyone good fortune in the coming year. (Nián is Mandarin for year. Happy New Year! Xīn Nián Kuài Lè! 新年快樂! Xīn Nián Hǎo! 新年好!)
Some Chinese traditions for welcoming the New Year & creating good fortune in the year ahead:
- BEFORE New Year’s: Clean your home, sweep away the bad luck of the year that's ending, get new clothes, get your hair cut. Plan out the food! Round food (fruits like oranges which are also gold color) are good. Fish, long life noodles, … Pay off any debts so you can start the year, fresh. Decorate your home in red, the Chinese color for good luck.
- During the first days of New Year: DO NOT clean your home. You do not want to risk sweeping away the good luck of the New Year. Don’t wash your hair the first day, or get it cut in the first week or so.
- An important tradition on New Year's Eve is for families to gather together. In the north, many families will be spending the evening preparing jiaozi (dumplings). According to Chinese Culture Guide Jun Shan, it is common to hide a coin in one of the dumplings. Whoever gets the dumpling with the coin will supposedly have good luck in the coming year. (I wish I knew what part of China he was from!)
- Try to see as many of your family and friends as possible during the New Year celebration to spread good wishes for the coming year.
- Give out money packets - On New Years day, children receive “lai see” or “hong bao”- red packets decorated with gold symbols and filled with "lucky money”. See if you can get crisp new bills from your bank to use.
- Serve and eat as many lucky foods as possible on the New Year. Some of these foods are whole fish, noodles and mandarin oranges. If you're not ready to cook Chinese food, most Chinese restaurants offer special New Year menus.
- Don't cry on that day or raise your voice to your children or you'll be setting a tone of discord for the coming year.
- Some fruit or flowers or candy for your Chinese teacher would be appreciated.
- Lanterns and couplets written on red paper are common decorations. Fu means fortune, and it is shown here on a lantern and also in cursive.
Some Chinese believe the animal ruling the year in which a person is born has a profound influence on personality, saying: "This is the animal that hides in your heart." Others use the zodiac just for fun. According to one legend, Lord Buddha summoned all the animals to him before he left the earth. Only twelve responded and came to bid him farewell. For their reward, he named a year after each one of them in the order that they arrived. Another legend says that the years are named, in order, for the animals that raced for the Green Emperor.
There are a number of sites on the web with more information on the Chinese zodiac, Chinese New Year, and Chinese date converters. There are also solar to lunar date converters available for Palm Pilots.
For more on Chinese New Year, see Wikipedia's entry.
The Autumn Jade website has a short description of each animal of the zodiac.
In 2006, the Detroit Free Press did a nice overview titled FIVE THINGS: About the Chinese New Year.
Last updated: February 2007
Monday, January 31, 2005
Getting Ready
The Year of the Pig started February 18th, 2007.
The Year of the Rat starts February 7th, 2008.
The Year of the Rat starts February 7th, 2008.
About a week before it is time to start cleaning and decorating and getting flower blossoms. You can and should cut your hair now and sweep your house clean. If you are getting new red clothes, now is also the time. Decide if you will be sending any red round fruits to your teacher(s), or anyone in the community who has been helping you this year. I don't think you can go wrong with flowering bulbs, but do be careful with cut flowers. I know my mother-in-law would find it hard to appreciate mums since they are a funeral flower to her. (She's Cantonese.)
If you want to use calligraphy to decorate your house, learn how to write Fu (luck) at:
www.chinapage.com/word/luck.html and see some Chinese New Year's couplets at:
www.chinapage.com/duilian/chunlian0.html
The Kitchen God has already gone up to report to heaven on how you have done this year (that happens on the 24th of the 12th month). Perhaps you offered him sweet sticky rice first. If you did, was it a sweet bribe so he would remember only the good that you and your family have done? or was it so that his mouth would be stuck shut and he would not be able to give a full report? (To help your children imagine this, ask them what they could say with a mouth full of peanut butter!)
Your children might enjoy learning about getting ready at:
www.pbskids.org/sagwa/games/countdown/index.html
Some of the steps on that site require a Flash plug-in, but not “clean sweep”, “get ready for the parade”, and “eat”.
Chinese traditions for welcoming the New Year and creating good fortune in the year ahead.- Clean! - Clean your home as thoroughly as possible during the days preceding the New Year to sweep away any accumulated bad luck from past years. There is even a specific day to being this deep cleaning!
- Decorate! - Decorate your home in red, the Chinese color for good luck. Doors and window panes are also often painted red, considered to be a lucky color. New door guardians. People also like to hang "fu" the character for good luck and papercuts on doors and windows. (Paper cutting is an ancient Chinese art form dating back to the Han dynasty).
- DO NOT clean your home during the first few days of the New Year. You do not want to risk sweeping away the good luck of the New Year.
- Try to see as many of your family and friends as possible during the New Year celebration to spread good wishes for the coming year.
- Serve and eat as many lucky foods as possible on New Year's day. Start with a whole fish on New Year's Eve - but don't eat it all so there will always be plenty in the year to come. Some are using a whole chicken these days! Long life noodles, all citrus (especially those round and golden!) If you're not adventurous enough to cook Chinese food, most Chinese restaurants offer special New Year menus.
- Don't cry on that day or raise your voice to your children or you'll be setting a tone of discord for the coming year.
- Give out money packets - On New Years day, children receive hong bao or leisee - red packets decorated with gold symbols and filled with "lucky money".
Since this is a blog, the entries are in date order. Does this format support my kind readers navigating around to find what they need? (Comments welcome.)
The Year of the Rooster started February 9th, 2005.
The Year of the Dog started January 29th, 2006.
Sunday, January 30, 2005
More on Lantern Riddles - Word Riddles
Lantern riddles can be any of a number of different kinds of riddles. I have found it difficult to find riddles that can be translated into English and still makes sense, as many of them are based on how the word is written, or how written words relate to each other. There are many riddles I have not listed here and can not use when I visit (English medium) schools to talk about Lantern Festival. For example, I remember one that relied on the reader knowing that snail 蜗牛[蝸牛] wōniú contains niú, the character for cow.
Here are some examples of 字谜 (zi4 mi2) word riddles, where the answer is one single Chinese character and you must know how to write to figure them out. I saw these first at www.callosum.blogspot.com/2004_09_01_callosum_archive.html. They were originally from www.61.156.25.39/book/ertong/2/miyu/mulu.htm, translated (and explained). I am going to try some of these with my elementary Mandarin students – but I don’t see using these in my daughter’s regular classroom when I go in to explain Lantern festival!
Here are some examples of 字谜 (zi4 mi2) word riddles, where the answer is one single Chinese character and you must know how to write to figure them out. I saw these first at www.callosum.blogspot.com/2004_09_01_callosum_archive.html. They were originally from www.61.156.25.39/book/ertong/2/miyu/mulu.htm, translated (and explained). I am going to try some of these with my elementary Mandarin students – but I don’t see using these in my daughter’s regular classroom when I go in to explain Lantern festival!
- (1) 九点 jiu3 dian3 lit. “nine dot”, or “nine o'clock”
This riddle gives you directions for how to write a character. You need to know that dian3, 点, can mean hour or “dot” a type of stroke. To find the answer write the character for nine, 九, and then a dot, or 丸. - (2) 十二点 shi2 er4 dian3 lit. “ten two dot”, or “twelve o'clock”
This riddle, also tells you what strokes to write – you need to think ten and two dots rather than reading it as twelve and dian. Ten is shi2 十, adding two “dots”, gives you the answer: 斗dou4 “fight”. - (3) 田中 tian2 zhong1 lit. “(in) the middle (中) of a field (田)”
The riddle asks what is in the middle of the character 田. The answer, is the horizontal and vertical stroke which make up the number 十 shi2 “ten”.
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Lantern Festival - Day 15
The Lantern Festival, or Yuan Xiao Festival, takes place on the first full moon of the lunar year – the 15th day of month 1. It marks the end of Chinese New Year and seems to have started during the Han Dynasty over 2,000 years ago. In the Tang Dynasty, it lasted 3 days. The first lunar month is Yuan-month and in ancient times night was called Xiao. It is not celebrated much in the USA. I started learning more about this because the date of Chinese New Year was so often just not convenient for teachers... and after a few years if you are in the same school, the children know alot about Chinese New Year and are ready for something new. For a real change of pace, check out the riddles elsewhere on this site.
It is a time to appreciate the full moon, the beautiful lanterns hung out, figuring out riddles hung from the lanterns, eat glutinous rice balls (called yuan xiao and tang yuan) and of course, be with family.
Legend of the Lantern Festival's Origin
There are a number of ancient legends about the origin: was it due to Taiyi, the God of heaven; Tianguan, the Taoist god responsible for good fortune; or an Emperor who wanted to promote Buddhism? (When it is called Shang Yuan it is the birthday of the god of heaven.)
Or, perhaps the Jade Emperor in Heaven was so angry at a village for killing his favorite goose, that he was going to destroy it with a storm of fire. However, when a good-hearted fairy heard of this planned vengeance, and the townspeople were warned to light lanterns throughout the town on that day. They did as they were told, so from the Heavens, the village seemed to already be ablaze. The Jade Emperor was thus satisfied that his goose had already been avenged and he decided not to destroy the town. From then on, people have celebrated the anniversary by carrying lanterns of different shapes and colors through the streets on the first full moon of the year. It is also a spectacular backdrop for other festivities, including dragon and lion dances, and fireworks.
Yuan Xiao and Tang Yuan
Yuan Xiao and Tang Yuan are small dumpling balls of glutinous rice, sometimes rolled around a filling which can be sweet or salty, perhaps sesame, peanuts, vegetable, rose petals, or meat. Tang Yuan are often cooked in red-bean or other kinds of soup. The custom of eating Yuanxiao probably comes from the fourth century, during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. It then became popular during the Tang and Song periods.
The round shape symbolizes wholeness and unity.
References included:
Chinese Culture Center's lantern festival page
http://www.chinavoc.com/festivals/lantern.htm
Pages no longer available from Taiwan.gov
Find a recipe for yuan xiao at:
About.com's Chiense Culture pages
Other references you may find useful include:
http://chineseculture.about.com/library/weekly/topicsub1.htm
http://www.taipei.org/even/lantern/dumpling.html
Pages no longer available from an American elementary school in Beijing:
http://www.wab.edu/news/lianxi_03-04/04_02_10/lianxi_10feb04.shtml
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
2005
The next Chinese New Year is: Wednesday, February 9, 2005. It starts the Year of the Rooster (4702). If you want to do something at school, tell your child's teacher sooner rather than later - especially when it is so close to Valentine's Day they need to plan how to spend their time. Some parents are unable to go in when the teacher can support it and just send in (red) "goodie bags" as if it was a birthday.
If you want detail on the astrology behind this -- and to understand why it is a metal year and a Green Chicken year, see:
http://www.chineseastrologyonline.com/2005.htm
According to that site:
The Chinese New Year day is on February 9th, 2005. Because this is a new moon day, it is the first day of the first Chinese lunar month in the Chinese Lunar Calendar system. The new moon time is at 06:28 on 9-Feb-05 in China time zone. However, the new moon time is at 14:28 of 8-Feb-05 in the US Pacific Standard Time and also at 17:28 of 8-Feb-05 in the US Eastern Standard Time, so the Chinese New Year day is on February 8th, 2005 for USA time zones.
I don't know how the local Chinese community views it here, but I can find out.
If you want detail on the astrology behind this -- and to understand why it is a metal year and a Green Chicken year, see:
http://www.chineseastrologyonline.com/2005.htm
According to that site:
The Chinese New Year day is on February 9th, 2005. Because this is a new moon day, it is the first day of the first Chinese lunar month in the Chinese Lunar Calendar system. The new moon time is at 06:28 on 9-Feb-05 in China time zone. However, the new moon time is at 14:28 of 8-Feb-05 in the US Pacific Standard Time and also at 17:28 of 8-Feb-05 in the US Eastern Standard Time, so the Chinese New Year day is on February 8th, 2005 for USA time zones.
I don't know how the local Chinese community views it here, but I can find out.
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Mostly Food
Many Chinese traditions for welcoming the New Year and creating good fortune in the year ahead include food. See "Prepare for the New Year" for other things to do.
Beforehand
Offer a Sacrifice to the Kitchen God - Many families have a poster of the Kitchen God in their kitchen. The custom is to offer a ceremonial sacrifice to the Kitchen God, to make sure that he gives a good report on the family's behavior when he returns to heaven. Sticky Cake (Nian Gao) is popular, or children may rub honey on him. (Buy a new kitchen god to post on 1/1.)
Prepare a Tray of Togetherness - This is a circular tray with eight compartments, each containing symbolic foods such as lotus seeds and lychee nuts, that provides a sweet beginning to the New Year.
New Year's Eve
An important tradition on New Year's Eve is for families to gather together and spend the evening preparing jiaozi or boiled dumplings (more for families from north of the Yangtze River). According to Chinese Culture Guide Jun Shan, it is common to hide a coin in one of the dumplings. Whoever gets the dumpling with the coin should have good luck in the coming year.
Start with a whole fish on New Year's Eve - but don't eat it all so there will always be plenty in the year to come. Some families are using a whole chicken these days - the idea is the same but they are missing the auspicious sound "yu" for fish! (I think this is a recent innovation, and not a regional difference.)
Stay up late, have your children stay up late -- or at least leave a light on!
New Year's Celebrations - Here are some of the ways you can celebrate Chinese New Year (the date is different every year):
Serve and eat as many lucky foods as possible on the New Year's day:
Serve festive foods - Throughout the New Year's season, certain foods are served because they symbolize abundance and good fortune. Besides preparing special dishes, tangerines and oranges are often passed out to children and guests, as they symbolize wealth and good luck.
For simple recipes especially for large groups of youngsters, try Chinese Food You Can Make. For a bit of related trivia and background, read Tea & Chopsticks. For "only food", read Chinese New Year's Food
Updated: 3/2007.
Beforehand
Offer a Sacrifice to the Kitchen God - Many families have a poster of the Kitchen God in their kitchen. The custom is to offer a ceremonial sacrifice to the Kitchen God, to make sure that he gives a good report on the family's behavior when he returns to heaven. Sticky Cake (Nian Gao) is popular, or children may rub honey on him. (Buy a new kitchen god to post on 1/1.)
Prepare a Tray of Togetherness - This is a circular tray with eight compartments, each containing symbolic foods such as lotus seeds and lychee nuts, that provides a sweet beginning to the New Year.
New Year's Eve
An important tradition on New Year's Eve is for families to gather together and spend the evening preparing jiaozi or boiled dumplings (more for families from north of the Yangtze River). According to Chinese Culture Guide Jun Shan, it is common to hide a coin in one of the dumplings. Whoever gets the dumpling with the coin should have good luck in the coming year.
Start with a whole fish on New Year's Eve - but don't eat it all so there will always be plenty in the year to come. Some families are using a whole chicken these days - the idea is the same but they are missing the auspicious sound "yu" for fish! (I think this is a recent innovation, and not a regional difference.)
Stay up late, have your children stay up late -- or at least leave a light on!
New Year's Celebrations - Here are some of the ways you can celebrate Chinese New Year (the date is different every year):
Serve and eat as many lucky foods as possible on the New Year's day:
- Long life noodles, my children love to try and eat them without braking them to ensure a long life.
- Dumplings,
- Citrus (especially those round and golden!) will be seen on most tables.
- Turnip cake, or lor bak go, can be served on New Year's Day as a symbol of prosperity and rising fortune.
- Remember an all vegetable dish too - I can't tell if it must have dofu/tofu in it or not.
Serve festive foods - Throughout the New Year's season, certain foods are served because they symbolize abundance and good fortune. Besides preparing special dishes, tangerines and oranges are often passed out to children and guests, as they symbolize wealth and good luck.
For simple recipes especially for large groups of youngsters, try Chinese Food You Can Make. For a bit of related trivia and background, read Tea & Chopsticks. For "only food", read Chinese New Year's Food
Updated: 3/2007.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
A bit on Dragons
While the European dragons from the days of castles and knights in shining armor are usually mean beasts to be killed, Chinese dragons are much more benevolent. Show your students pictures of dragons from different cultures. Read some of the descriptions (head of a horse, tail of a snake, antlers of a deer; or head of a camel, eyes of devil, ears of an ox, scales of a carp, claws of an eagle; or paws of a tiger, neck of a snake, belly of a clam, talons of a hawk or batlike wings) or learn more about Eastern Dragons. Eric Kimmel wrote The Rooster's Antlers: A story of the Chinese Zodiac (with beautiful papercut illustrations) which is a tale of how the dragon got its antlers.
Many elementary students are familiar with thinking maps. Perhaps they could use them and create a bubble map to describe a Chinese dragon and a double bubble map to contrast Western and Eastern dragons. I have been told that in Iran, the "year of the dragon" is the "year of the whale". I could see some interesting "compare & contrast" lists coming out of that!
Dragons for Dancing
The traditional head for the lion dance or the dragon dance is of paper mache with a hinged jaw. Both seem to have eyes that open and close and often ears that can wiggle. Creating one can be a classroom project especially if you can get if you have the art teachers cooperation.
Heads for a preschool dragon have successfully been made from turning a brown paper grocery bag (with handles) inside out and decorated. Decorated boxes and laundry baskets have also been sued. The body can be fabric or even bulletin board paper (although the later would need to be recreated each year).
Dragon Puppets or Decorations
A tissue box, egg carton or other small cardboard box can be used as the head. Even brown lunch bags have been used. The top of an egg carton cut in half makes a nice shape, (everyone finds it easier to paint the inside red for the mouth or fire before it is folded or reattached). Then small paper plates or eggcups can be glued on the eyes. Covering the head with paper is also fine. Making a paper mache head would be the most authentic but is more involved. For a small (personal sized) dragon, pipe cleaners make nice horns/antlers.
Some teachers have each student create their own and some have one dragon with a very, very long tail or body so that everyone can help decorating it. If the tail becomes too long, it might get unsafe to use for a parade dragon dance. (Here's a clip of a parade dragon dance. Wikipedia's Dragon Dance entry has only still pictures.)
For More on Chinese Dragons, especially in the Zodiac, see:
www.jade-leaves.com/ginkgo/zodiac/zodiacdragon.shtml
Updated: 3/2007
Many elementary students are familiar with thinking maps. Perhaps they could use them and create a bubble map to describe a Chinese dragon and a double bubble map to contrast Western and Eastern dragons. I have been told that in Iran, the "year of the dragon" is the "year of the whale". I could see some interesting "compare & contrast" lists coming out of that!
Dragons for Dancing
The traditional head for the lion dance or the dragon dance is of paper mache with a hinged jaw. Both seem to have eyes that open and close and often ears that can wiggle. Creating one can be a classroom project especially if you can get if you have the art teachers cooperation.
Heads for a preschool dragon have successfully been made from turning a brown paper grocery bag (with handles) inside out and decorated. Decorated boxes and laundry baskets have also been sued. The body can be fabric or even bulletin board paper (although the later would need to be recreated each year).
Dragon Puppets or Decorations
A tissue box, egg carton or other small cardboard box can be used as the head. Even brown lunch bags have been used. The top of an egg carton cut in half makes a nice shape, (everyone finds it easier to paint the inside red for the mouth or fire before it is folded or reattached). Then small paper plates or eggcups can be glued on the eyes. Covering the head with paper is also fine. Making a paper mache head would be the most authentic but is more involved. For a small (personal sized) dragon, pipe cleaners make nice horns/antlers.
Some teachers have each student create their own and some have one dragon with a very, very long tail or body so that everyone can help decorating it. If the tail becomes too long, it might get unsafe to use for a parade dragon dance. (Here's a clip of a parade dragon dance. Wikipedia's Dragon Dance entry has only still pictures.)
For More on Chinese Dragons, especially in the Zodiac, see:
www.jade-leaves.com/ginkgo/zodiac/zodiacdragon.shtml
Updated: 3/2007
Chinese New Year Ideas for school
The more notice you can give your child's teacher, the better. If there are other parents of Asian descent or parents of Asians in the class, it would be nice to coordinate. The Chinese are not the only ones to celebrate the lunar New Year.
Reading a book, wearing silk, and bringing in food are the easiest for all ages.
For all classes, but especially for the youngest:
Please remember allergies, especially for the youngest, and be sure to ask the teacher about them. Some 3 year olds have not been exposed to berries, nuts, peanuts, or shellfish and might not even know if they are allergic yet. For preschool, I have done long life noodles with just a bit of oil so they do not stick, and brown sauce (sesame paste and no peanut butter), grated carrots and grated cucumbers on the side. Do show chopsticks even if you are not comfortable using them to serve. I have also bought baozi (the steamed buns), and cut them into 2 or 4 pieces.
A lantern parade or a dragon dance is great fun. One piece of construction paper with slits can easily make a lantern. I made dragon heads one year by turning brown paper bags inside out and decorating them – and stapling on 2 yards of fabric x 22 inches. The handles on the bag really helped them keep the heads on. Most fabric is 45 inches wide so it came to a yard each. Take some music if you can. If everyone can have a bell, triangle or noisemaker that is best. Some preschoolers will not go in/under the dragon. This is fun, not just for preschool although you may need to get a real dragon head for elementary students. Bringing a silk vest or dress that they can touch or try on is fun.
Or each child can make a "personal" dragon. There are several patterns online, including:
http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/chindragonhard.html
If the classroom can be decorated that helps a lot. Anything you can leave for the children to look at is wonderful. Perhaps a tray with chopsticks and popcorn. Perhaps two handleless tea cups and something they can pour back and forth, like rice?
I have a friend who just walks into the classroom and says "ni hao" and walks out waving and saying "zai jian" and she repeats it until the children are speaking to/with her. I have walked into a classroom and just asked what day it is, and pretended I must be weeks late when the teacher said January (or February) -- since I was to come in the the first day of the New Year. That can lead to a discussion of the lunar calendar or the holiday.
More for Lower Elementary Classes:
I still usually bring food, some decorations, and wear a silk vest. Background music is still nice to have. What you do depends in part on what you are comfortable with and what you have already done with the class. As well as, of course, how much itme the teacher will give you.
If you have not discussed the lunar calendar, that is worthwhile. For more ideas on that you can also see my Autumn Moon Festival thoughts.
With elementary students, different years I have:
Reading a book, wearing silk, and bringing in food are the easiest for all ages.
For all classes, but especially for the youngest:
Please remember allergies, especially for the youngest, and be sure to ask the teacher about them. Some 3 year olds have not been exposed to berries, nuts, peanuts, or shellfish and might not even know if they are allergic yet. For preschool, I have done long life noodles with just a bit of oil so they do not stick, and brown sauce (sesame paste and no peanut butter), grated carrots and grated cucumbers on the side. Do show chopsticks even if you are not comfortable using them to serve. I have also bought baozi (the steamed buns), and cut them into 2 or 4 pieces.
A lantern parade or a dragon dance is great fun. One piece of construction paper with slits can easily make a lantern. I made dragon heads one year by turning brown paper bags inside out and decorating them – and stapling on 2 yards of fabric x 22 inches. The handles on the bag really helped them keep the heads on. Most fabric is 45 inches wide so it came to a yard each. Take some music if you can. If everyone can have a bell, triangle or noisemaker that is best. Some preschoolers will not go in/under the dragon. This is fun, not just for preschool although you may need to get a real dragon head for elementary students. Bringing a silk vest or dress that they can touch or try on is fun.
Or each child can make a "personal" dragon. There are several patterns online, including:
http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/chindragonhard.html
If the classroom can be decorated that helps a lot. Anything you can leave for the children to look at is wonderful. Perhaps a tray with chopsticks and popcorn. Perhaps two handleless tea cups and something they can pour back and forth, like rice?
I have a friend who just walks into the classroom and says "ni hao" and walks out waving and saying "zai jian" and she repeats it until the children are speaking to/with her. I have walked into a classroom and just asked what day it is, and pretended I must be weeks late when the teacher said January (or February) -- since I was to come in the the first day of the New Year. That can lead to a discussion of the lunar calendar or the holiday.
More for Lower Elementary Classes:
I still usually bring food, some decorations, and wear a silk vest. Background music is still nice to have. What you do depends in part on what you are comfortable with and what you have already done with the class. As well as, of course, how much itme the teacher will give you.
If you have not discussed the lunar calendar, that is worthwhile. For more ideas on that you can also see my Autumn Moon Festival thoughts.
With elementary students, different years I have:
- Told the tale of Nian; spoken of new clothes, being with family, and food – with pictures of each, and gave out hong bao (real Chinese money, 10 or 20 fen each!)
- Discussed lantern festival (the 15th day of the first lunar month) and left lanterns each with a riddle on it (be sure to give the answers to the teacher).
- Done a simple Chinese writing lesson. I showed them words that were still similar to the pictures (person, big, fire, mouth, mountain). [Please only do this if you are comfortable, and preferably know the stroke order.] For “homework” they had to figure out how to say “volcano” – fire mountain.
- Made double coin knots of red rattail, and took a longer pieces of gold and maroon rattail so they could trace the knot. They had the option of hotgluing a pinback to the knot when done. We needed about 1 adult for each 5 kids for this. Make sure it is a class that has good fine motor control and can concentrate!
- Taught the children how to count to ten and showed them finger counting as well. You can teach yourself the Mandarin at
http://hua.umf.maine.edu/Chinese/games/numbers/chinese/one.html Once they can count to 7, you can teach them days of the week. If they can count to 12, you can say months. If they can count to 12, they can count to 99!Learning finger counting is a bit harder. I do not know the ancient system I found (although it reminds me of an Indian system that I have heard of) at:
http://www.tooter4kids.com/china/ChinaTalk_Chinese_Money_and_Counting.htm
What I know -- and what I saw in mainland China this summer is much closer to this:
http://www.laputanlogic.com/articles/2004/05/11-0001.html
(except 9 is a bit different and for 10, I make it with one hand...
Monday, January 03, 2005
Books
For my favorites in a different format, see my Amazon Chinese New Year favorites List-mania.
To read-to a group:
Celebrating the Chinese New Year cute
Last updated: February 2007
To read-to a group:
- Dancing Dragon ** by Marcia Vaughn CNY
Great for Chinese New Year. An accordion-fold book - practice before reading to a group! - Red is a Dragon: A Book of Colors by Rosemary Thong
(not a Chinese New Year story but fun for school this time of year) I prefer her Round is a Mooncake if you did not use it for Moon Festival in the fall. See how many of the things mentioned you can bring in to share and pass around. - The Rooster's Antlers: A Story of the Chinese Zodiac * by Eric Kimmel CNY
Beautiful illustrations. - This Next New Year by Janet S. Wong CNY
Rhyming text. Good for Chinese New Year. RL 4-8 years - Paper Lanterns by Stefan Czernecki
Nice story. I like the pictures of the papercut lanterns even more than the story illustrations.
Celebrating the Chinese New Year cute
More fiction, mostly longer books:
- Fu-Dog ** by Rumer Godden
This lovely adventure is set in - Silk Peony, Parade Dragon by Elizabeth Steckman and Carol Inouye
- The Last Dragon by Susan Miho Nunes
Ten year old boy finds, repairs and then uses a parade dragon. Set in an American
Still good, but not my favorites:
- Chinese New Year's Dragon by Rachel Sing (Chinese New Year) CNY
- Lion Dancer: Ernie Wan's Chinese New Year by Kate Waters CNY
6 year old Ernie performs his first Lion Dance. Good for Chinese New Year. RL 4-8 years - Yum Yum Dim Sum (World Snacks) (Board book) by Amy Wilson Sanger
We love her first book of sushi but this did not seem as good. It’s seems to have gotten mixed reviews. - Dragon Dance a Chinese New Year: A Chinese New Year Lift-The-Flap Book by Joan Holub CNY
- Lanterns and Firecrackers: A Chinese New Year Story (Festival Time) by Johnny Zucker, Jan Barger Cohen CNY
Chinese family prepares for New Year. Read-to preschoolers. Read by 1st graders. Includes suggestions (to parents) for celebrating. - Sam and the Lucky Moneyby Karen Chinn, et. al. CNY
Fiction. Introduces - The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin (middle grade novel)
Reference books:
- Happy New Year! Kung-Hsi Fa-Ts'Ai: Kung-Hsi Fa-Ts'Ai by Demi CNY
- Celebrating Chinese New Year by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith,
A young boy and his family prepare for Chinese New Year. Photos. CNY - Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats: A Treasury of Chinese Holiday Tales, Activities & Recipes by Nina Simonds, Leslie Swartz CNY, MAF
Background, crafts, recipes, and legends for 5 Chinese holidays: Chinese New Year, Lantern Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, Qing Ming and Dragon Boat Festival. - Chinese New Year by Sarah Moyse CNY
- Chinese New Year by Diane M. MacMillan. CNY
- Chinese New Year for Kids by Cindy Roberts CNY
Historical background, directions for snacks, crafts and games. Good for teachers.
Other Chinese New Year books:
- Happy, Happy Chinese New Year by Demi CNY
- Lanterns and Firecrackers: A Chinese New Year Story (Festival Time) by Johnny Zucker, Jan Barger Cohen. Chinese family prepares for New Year. Read-to preschoolers. Read by 1st graders. Includes suggestions (to parents) for celebrating.
- Sam and the Lucky Money by Karen Chinn, et. al. Fiction. Introduces Chinatown. Forces the reader to think about giving and appreciation. Pre-reading required. Not a personal favorite.
- Gung Hay Fat Choy (Special
I have not seen this one myself. Includes photos. - In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Bao Lord
- The Year of the Dog: Tales from the Chinese Zodiac by Oliver Chin (I have not read it. Perhaps for the youngest.)
- The Year of the Pig: Tales from the Chinese Zodiac by Oliver Chin (I have not read it.)
- Happy New Year! by Emery Bernhard
New Year in different cultures - Chopsticks by Jon Berkeley (I have mixed feelings about this - it implies that the Chinese New Year starts with a full moon when the 15 day celebration ends with a full moon. On the other hand, I can see my uncle's Hong Kong apartment building in the illustrations.)
- Chinese New Year for Kids by Cindy Roberts
Last updated: February 2007
Saturday, January 01, 2005
Lion Dance? Dragon Dance?
Riddle:
Sound the gong, beat the drum,
A clamorous racket is all around;
Half seems like a wild animal.
Half like a man.
Inside and out, altogether six ears;
The ears outside can't hear,
But the ears inside can.
What’s the difference between the dancing lion (often looks like a fudog to me) and the dancing dragon?
There are only 2 people under a dancing lion – and there is often a Buddha outside, guiding it. The first person holds the head up with both hands and the second person's head is covered. In fact the second person is usually bent over. However the lion can rear up as one kneels on the back of the other, or as the 'back; person holds up the front person.
Here are some thumbnail pictures of Holland's Hong Ying Chinese Martial Arts Association working on a Lion Dance demo. This lion dance is part of a competition, and this is a longer clip of the same lion. Lion Dance: Bringing Luck and Happiness
Here there be dragons: With the dragon dance, each person holds a pole which is connected to the dragon. There can be many (20, 30, 40) people under a dragon. Here's a clip of a parade dragon dance. Wikipedia's Dragon Dance entry has only still pictures.
Riddle Answer: Dancing Lion
Updated: January 2007
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