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What you will find on this page:
Any info on this years zodiac/celebration
(Make a Dog Mask)
(Chef Martins info on 2006 CNY)
Make a Dragon Mask for the Dragon Parade
A Chinese New Year Lesson Plan
Another Chinese New Year Lesson Plan
Asian New Year: Honoring the Kitchen God
Children's Books on Chinese New Year
2006 Year of the Dog
Link to Enchanted Learning for a dog mask. Make a mask for the Year of the Dog!
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About Chef Martin Yan
To fans all over the world, Certified Chinese Master Chef Martin Yan
is the celebrated host of 2,000 cooking shows, a highly respected food and restaurant consultant, and the author of 26 cookbooks.
With all of these notable accomplishments, Chef Yan considers himself first and foremost a teacher. Through his shows, his
classes, his books, and most importantly, personal interaction, Martin Yan has educated millions in the wonderful world of
Asian cuisine.
Melissa’s and Chef Yan have enjoyed a long association and this
year we’re teaming up to promote exotic, healthy and easy to create recipes for the Lunar New Year.
Celebrating the Year of the Dog
This year many will celebrate the ancient tradition of Chinese New Year.
This is the Year of the Dog, 4704 on the Chinese Lunar Calendar. The most colorful and important of China’s
feasts, Chinese New Year is celebrated for an entire month, culminating on the first day of the first moon. Food plays a particularly
important role in all Chinese holidays, but New Year’s feasts are particularly lavish. Ordinary foods take on extraordinary
names to embody the hopes and wishes for the new year: eggs become "silver ingots," mushrooms are "opportunities," and chicken
changes to "phoenix."
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Date: |
January 29, 2006
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Chinese
Lunar Year: |
4704, Year of the Dog
(1922,
1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006)
People born in the Year of the Dog possess the best traits of human
nature. They have a deep sense of loyalty, are honest, and inspire other people's confidence because they know how to keep
secrets. But Dog People are somewhat selfish, terribly stubborn, and eccentric. They care little for wealth, yet somehow always
seem to have money. They can be cold emotionally and sometimes distant at parties. They can find fault with many things and
are noted for their sharp tongues. Dog people make good leaders. They are compatible with those born in the Years of the Horse,
Tiger, and Rabbit.
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Greeting: |
Gung Hay Fat Choy ("wishing
you happiness and prosperity")
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Foods |
Kumquat - symbolizes prosperity (gold)
Coconut - symbolizes togetherness
Peanuts - symbolizes long life
Longan - symbolizes many good sons
Buddha's Hand - given as gifts to represent good luck and fortune for the year
Mandarin Oranges - represent wealth.
Chinese Broccoli - (Gai Lan) encourages youth and wealth.
Lettuce - also symbolizes wealth.
Mushrooms - represent coins signifying riches and prosperity.
Green Onions - symbolize brilliance and intelligence.
Won Tons - are served to guests as a blessing for good fortune.
Asian Noodles - are served to represent long life...the longer
the noodle, the longer the life.
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Traditions: |
Plants and
Flowers:
Every traditional Chinese household should also have
live blooming plants to symbolize rebirth and new growth. Flowers are believed to be symbolic of wealth and high positions
in one’s career. Lucky is the home with a plant that blooms on New Year’s Day, for that foretells a year of prosperity.
In more elaborate settings, plum blossoms just starting to bloom are arranged with bamboo and pine sprigs, the grouping symbolizing
friends – the plum blossom also signifies reliability and perseverance; the bamboo is known for its compatibility, its
utility and its flexible stems for furniture and other articles; the evergreen pine evokes longevity and steadiness. Other
highly prized flowers are the pussy willow, azalea, peony and water lily or narcissus.
The Chinese firmly believe that without flowers, there would be no formation
of any fruits. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to have flowers and floral decorations. They are the emblems of reawakening
of nature, they are also intimately connected with superstition and with the wish for happiness during the ensuing year.
Oranges and Tangerines:
Etiquette dictates that you must bring a bag of oranges and tangerines and enclose a lai see when visiting family
or friends anytime during the two-week long Chinese New Year celebration. Tangerines with leaves intact assure that one’s
relationship with the other remains secure. For newlyweds, this represents the branching of the couple into a family with
many children. Oranges and tangerines are symbols for abundant
happiness.
Candy Tray:
The candy tray arranged in either a circle or octagon is called "The Tray of Togetherness" and has a dazzling array
of candy to start the New Year sweetly. After taking several pieces of candy from the tray, adults places a red envelope (lai
see) on the center compartment of the tray. Each item represents some kind of good fortune. |
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Make a super dragon mask to wear. This includes a printable dragon face to colour in. We found the second link to the colouring
page worked, but the first didnt.
A Chinese New Year lesson plan, including some good printables (make your own lucky money envelope, learn to use chopsticks,
how silk is made, and more)
Another lesson plan for Chinese New Year. This one has a fun Chinese calligraphy reproducible
Asian New Year:
Honoring the Kitchen God
Suppose a visitor moved into your
house, stayed all year, then reported your actions to the higher-ups — would you tolerate it? You would if you lived
in China, for that visitor would be Kitchen God.
At Lunar New Year, many Asian cultures honor Kitchen God, known in China as Zaowang or Tsao Wang. One
of the most popular gods and credited with the invention of fire, Kitchen God is not a judge of one's culinary talents, but an overseer of a household's conduct.
Through the year, Kitchen God monitors the family's virtues and vices from a position on a kitchen
wall or hearth mantle. Kitchen God is a paper depiction of a lavishly bedecked figure, calmly standing aside his steed. Or, in some households, he may be a long red paper banner, inscribed with gold characters.
One week before New Year's, Kitchen God is sent to make his report to the Heavens. His lips are smeared
with honey or other sweet substance, then he is ceremoniously burned. His spirit travels upwards in the smoke to the Jade
Emperor, where it is hoped that he will speak sweet words about the family in his charge.
As with most customs, many variations of the story and
ceremony exist. One account mentions that burning incense is used to represent the provisions he will need, and
that hay should be spread out for his horse. Some say to smear his lips with
honey so he will say nice things about you. Others to say feed him sweets so only sweet words will come out. Still others
believe that honey or sweets on his lips will seal them shut so he can't say anything at all!
Kitchen God protects the kitchen from fire, disaster, and unwanted trouble.
On the 24th day of the 12th lunar month, families serve Kitchen God a feast of cooked chicken (which must include head and
feet), roast pork, mixed vegetables, rice and more, to thank him for the kind protection of the year. Generally a table is
set in front of Kitchen God, and food is left on the table for a few hours, then removed.
Asian Lunar New Year lasts for two weeks, ending in the Dragon Parade in Asian communities around the
globe. During this time you should eat certain foods for good luck, long life, and prosperity...
Asian New Year Foods:
Noodles (the longer the better) for longevity, long life
Fish (whole, with head and tail) for prosperity
Oranges for wealth and a sweet life
Mussels for good fortune in business
Dates and chestnuts for fertility and procreation
Vegetables (green ones) for youth, spiritual cleansing, and a healthy harvest .
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