Chinese New Year’s Eve Celebration Luncheon 2008
· Introduction
· Program and Highlights
· Thank you note
Introduction
The Chinese New Year’s Eve Celebration Luncheon was held on February 4, 2008 in the atrium at National-Louis University. The event was very successful.
As many people know, the Chinese Zodiac is based on a twelve year cycle - each year is represented by an animal which includes the Pig, Dog, Rat, Buffalo, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, and Rooster. This coming year is the "year of the Rat", and the first day of the New Year is Feb. 7, 2008. In Chinese culture, the Rat is not only the house rat that we normally see, but it is actually a wider category similar to the English term: “rodent”. Thus, the Year of the Rat includes squirrels, hamsters, guinea pigs, and even kangaroos.
During the first two weeks of the New Year, most Chinese people will typically serve different Dim Sum, fruit candies and meat dishes, when their friends and relatives visit at home. Each Dim Sum and fruit candy has its own meaning; most of them represent good luck and best wishes. However, on the second day of the New Year, most Chinese people will eat vegetables and dried fish only, no meat.
In addition, married Chinese people will give a red envelope to children and to unmarried friends, to wish them a happy New Year and/or to extend more collaborate best wishes to them.
