Level 3

Mini Inquiry Card 4

The Chinese New Year

The Lantern Festival is a New Year celebration. It is also called the Yuanxiao Festival. It's held on the 15th day of the first Chinese lunar month so it is the last of the many celebrations of the Chinese New Year.

Lunar means it has something to do with the moon. Yuan means first and Xiao refers to night. Yuanxiao is the first time we see the full moon in the New Year.

Look here to see the Chinese lunar calendar and scan for this information.

• How long has the Chinese calendar been around?
• Is the Chinese calendar like the Western calendar in any way?
• How does the lunar calendar decide when the New Year begins?
• Is the New Year always celebrated on the same day?

Read all about the years of the animals. Find the animal that matches the year you were born in. What is this year the year of? What is next year the year of?

Look here to find out more about the Chinese New Year. Pick two of the celebrations or customs you think would be the most fun and design an invitation card that would really make someone want to attend and take part. (You need to explain the celebration or custom.)

Here are the celebrations or customs.

• Sweeping of the grounds and spring couplets
• Kitchen God farewells
• Presents
• Family celebrations
• Hiding away the scissors and the knives
• The New Years Eve banquet
• Lai-see envelopes
• Visiting friends and family
• Firecrackers
• Everybody's birthday