Happy Chinese New Year – Kung Hii Fatt Cho!

Happy Chinese New Year! Year 4711 or 2013 on our calendar, is the Year of the Snake.

‘Gong Xi Fa Ca’ in Mandarin or ‘Kung Hii Fatt Cho’ in Cantonese

means ‘Wishing You Prosperity!’ or ‘Congratulations on Getting Rich!’

Isn’t that a wonderful greeting??

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Nearly a billion and a half people in China and around the world

celebrate the first day of the Chinese New Year today, February 10, 2013.

The New Year celebration is the most important of Chinese holidays

and lasts fifteen days, ending with the Lantern Festival.

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Each of the twelve animal designations rotate

in succession in twelve year cycles.

Each of those animals have a particular significance

for that calendar year and as characteristics for those born under that sign.

The Year of the Snake carries the meanings of malevolence,

cattiness and mystery, as well as acumen, and divination.

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This symbol – 福 – ‘Fu,’

is displayed the in the windows and on the doors, during the New Year celebrations.

The character is a symbol of happiness, bliss and fortune.

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Seattle has a large Asian population,

of the top 10 U.S. cities with large Asian populations, Seattle is #8 in Chinese citizens

and #10 in all Asian ethnicities.

I always enjoy spending time in our International District,

also called Chinatown or Japantown.

Here, I’ve caught the face of a large dragon

displayed during the new year celebration.

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Kung Hii Fatt Cho,

‘Congratulations on Getting Rich!’

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Sharing with ‘Simple as That #118.’ and ‘Mandarin Orange Monday.’

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