Welcome the Year of the Rabbit ~ Gung Hei Fat Choi

Just wanted to take this moment in our busy life to wish all my friends a very Happy Chinese New Year.

This year we celebrate the year of the Rabbit and the celebrations start on February 3rd.  Those born in the years: 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 share the sign of the quiet bunny.

To find out more information about the characteristics of people born in the Rabbit year, click HERE

So what do you do to celebrate? 

Chinese New Year lasts 15 days... here's the load down of what is traditionally done for each day:

Day One, New Year's Day (the first day of the first lunar month):
Traditionally, one welcomes the gods from the heaven and earth. Ming and Qing emperors would perform a grand ceremony at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. But nowadays:

• Elders give children ya sui, or gifts of money. The money is put into a lovely red envelope, called a hong bao, that is usually decorated with new year's wishes, and given to happy children. (Adults gets the red envelopes too, as long as they are NOT married)
• Some Chinese might give up meat for the day. (I love my meat too much.. this I would not do)
• No one cleans! Cleaning on New Year's Day is serious bad luck, you might sweep all the good fortune out the door.  (I don't mind this at all, however my better half has a problem with it)
• Also parents let their kids stay up waaaaaay late.  It is said it will help with the parents longevity.

Day Two: Prayers to ancestors are added to prayers to the gods. It's believed that this day is the birthday of all dogs, so it's better to be extra kind to dogs on this day as well. (My own dog, Corki, will love this as she will get an extra treat)

Days Three & Four: Sons-in-laws pay respect to their in-law families.

Day Five: Everyone stays home to wait for and welcome the God of Wealth. It's bad luck to visit anyone on this day.

Day Six to Ten: Families go out to visit relatives and friends.

Day Seven: It's a special day for farmers and it's also supposed to be the birthday of all mankind. Eating noodles is traditional to ensure long life. (The longer the noodles, the better)

Day Ten to Twelve: Now that the visiting is over, it's time to invite family and friends over for dinner.

Day Thirteen: Finally! A break in the lavish meals! One is supposed to eat simply on the thirteenth day of New Year.

Day Fourteen: Time to prepare for day Fifteen, the Lantern Festival.

Day Fifteen: Yuanxiao, or Lantern Festival. The Lantern Festival, celebrated on the night of the first full moon, also marks the end of the Chinese New Year holiday period. Chinese people light lanterns, play riddle games and eat sticky rice balls.

So there you go... that's alot of partying going on... 

Gung Hay Fat Choi - Chinese New Year - Special Feature

Welcoming the Year of the Ox, I wish all my family, friends and business associates a happy, healthy life, plus years of fortune and luck in all the adventures they will encounter.

THE CALENDAR

The Chinese Calendar began in 2697 BC when the Yellow King became king. The Chinese calendar is based on a combination of lunar and solar movements. The lunar cycle is about 29.5 days. In order to "catch up" with the solar calendar the Chinese insert an extra month once every few years (seven years out of a 19-year cycle). This is the same as adding an extra day on leap year. This is why, according to the solar calendar, the Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year.

This year is the 4706th Chinese Year beginning from January 26, 2009, the Year of the Bull, Cow or Ox. The Ox is the second sign of the Chinese zodiac. Like its predecessor and complement, the Rat, it signifies new beginnings. The birth year of President Barack Obama (1961) was a Bull Year. The next year is the Year of the Tiger beginning from February 14, 2010.

THE ZODIAC STORY

In the distant past, Time was an illusion and chaos reigned among the animals of the earth. Every creature from the cunning rat to the arrogant tiger proclaimed that he alone was the most virtuous and unique. The Jade Emperor, Lord of Heaven, needed to restore order. He would hold a great race, and the first twelve to cross the finish would be declared the First of the Earthly Creatures. After the dust raised by ten thousand paws, claws and hooves settled, the winners were the rat, the ox, the tiger, the hare, the dragon, the serpent, the horse, the sheep, the monkey, the rooster, the dog and the pig. Each was rewarded with its own year, and these twelve years of the Chinese zodiac cycle are each characterized by the distinctive traits of that year's animal. From these twelve symbols, a person's fortune, character, strengths and weaknesses, as well as the course of his personal and social life may be told.

The stalwart ox was seemingly destined to be the winner of the celestial race, but his perseverance would lose to the craftiness of the rat. (The wily little creature was hiding in the ox's ear and leapt out to cross the finish line ahead of him.) Those born under the sign of the ox are known for their dexterity and driving perfectionism. They are generous and devoted. But as pensive and loving as they may be, they are not likely to forgive and forget when they have been wronged.

WHAT SIGN ARE YOU?

I found a really cool site that can tell you what Chinese Astrological Sign you are, personality profile, element, who you are compatible with and so forth....even if you don't believe in the psychic type things like I am, it's still kinda fun to check out. Here's the link: http://chinese.astrology.com/

EAT AND BE MERRY

Chinese New Year starts with the New Moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. The 15th day of the new year is called the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated at night with lantern displays and children carrying lanterns in a parade. I remember being afraid of all the drumming that went on during the lion dance. It still sends shivers up and down my spine. But I braved it and got my red envelopes stuffed with money and candy.

For more information on Chinese New Year activities, the food (the best part), and superstitions check out this link: http://www.educ.uvic.ca/faculty/mroth/438/CHINA/chinese_new_year.html

MY ARTFIRE FRIENDS

I've had the pleasure of looking through some of the other studio shops in the artfire.com website and made a call out to anyone that might have something in their studio that I can feature for them in celebration of the new year. Following are some pictures of what my friends at artfire has in their studio and ready for you to purchase. Just click on the picture of the item you like and it should direct you to their listing or click their name beside the item title and be directed to their front page of their studio. (And don't forget to check out my studio, too)

Hematite Buddha - Belle Luna Designs
Mother of Pearl & Buddha Necklace - The Jewelry Workroom
Pendant/Charms Asian Coins - Virago Creations
Fortune Cookies Earrings - Eclectic Oddities
Candy Jade Pendant/Necklace Set - Catinalife Creations
Fluffy Cow Hat - Custom Cosplay
The Pepe Dog Collar - Organic Dog Treats & Hip Handmade Collars
Bamboo Tile Pendant - Rose Ange
Dragon Charm - Imagine Art


Thank you to my friends for allowing me to display some of your unique and beautiful items. Due to time restrictions I couldn't list everything that I wanted to (I'm really not suppose to be working as I'm suppose to be partying). So be sure to check out the shops for more goodies.

Have a great New Year Everyone!

New Items this Weekend

New Items Listed this Weekend

It's almost midnight here and my only time to really do some work. I do my best brainstorming at night with the lights turned off and only the glow of the computer monitor giving me some light. But man am I tired.

I have these cinnabar beads, a whole bunch of them, that I've been staring at for the longest time and finally I made something out of them. However I still got a ton of these. I got "writer's block" on what to do with the rest. Ugh.

Here's a bracelet and necklace that I did up this weekend (in the dark of course). I listed them in my shop. Besides the cinnabar, I've used ab garnet czech glass and rose czech glass beads. It's different, which I like.

Happy Buddha Choker/Necklace - geniune vintage chinese jade buddha pendant, white jade, hematite, green frosted czech glass beads. This item will be listed in my shop on Monday..Here's a sneak peek...

Be sure to check back on Monday, January 26, for a special feature about Chinese New Year. I'll be posting a few items from my friends in other artfire shops that fit the occassion.

Chinese New Year!

Happy Wednesday!

Chinese New Year is on Monday, January 26th. It will be the Year of the Ox (moo moo). I'm looking for any and all crafters/designers/artists out there who might have something made to celebrate the lunar new year as I would like to showcase it on this blog on Monday.

Contact me via my Artfire shop by Saturday, the 24th and show me what you got!!