新年快乐 – Xin Nian Kuai Le
Happy Chinese New Year
The celebration of the Lunar New Year in Asia is without a doubt the most important holiday of the year. In recognition of this, we wish everyone the happiest of New Years and hope the Year of the Tiger is a momentous one.
The House of BOVET has a long history, having been founded 200 years ago this year in three places: Fleurier, Switzerland; London, England; and Guangzhou, China. After huge success in China, BOVET went on to conquer the world, and today we are in over 80 countries.
This year is the year of the Tiger, starting on February 1. The Lunar New Year celebration, also known as the Spring Festival, has existed in one form or another since the 14th century B.C., when the Shang Dynasty was in power in China.
Each year in the Lunar calendar is represented by one of 12 zodiac animals — the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Each zodiac year is accompanied by one of the five elements, water, metal, earth, fire or wood. If you were born in 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 2008 or 2010, you were born during the Year of the Tiger.
In addition to the animals, the Chinese Zodiac also cycles through five elemental types. So, this is not only the Year of the Tiger, it’s the year of the Water Tiger, an animal cycle that only comes around once every 60 years. The Tiger is the third in the line of Chinese astrological animals and is known for being confident, strong, brave, and ambitious. Many children wear hats or shoes with tiger images for good luck.
Lucky numbers this year include 1, 3, and 4, and lucky colors are gray, blue, white, and orange.
According to Chinese astrology, this will be a year of risk-taking, adventure, and enthusiasm. During this year, anything and everything is possible.
Chinese New Year Traditions
Clean and decorate your home
Before the Lunar New Year, people clean their homes thoroughly. Sweeping away the dirt symbolizes the sweeping away of bad luck from the past year, while making way for good luck. Red is often used in decorating and is considered a lucky color. Red lanterns are hung in streets, while red posters with auspicious sayings are taped on doors and walls.
