The Chinese have been celebrating the New Year since 2000 B.C. Lasting 15 days, New Year is the longest, most important holiday on the Chinese calendar. In China, people may take weeks of holiday from work to prepare for and celebrate the New Year. The festivities traditionally start on the New Moon (Day 1) and continue until the moon is at its fullest (Day 15).

According to Chinese legend, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve animals came, and Buddha named a year after each of them and declared that the people born in each animal's year would have some of that animal's personality. Thus, the Chinese Zodiac was born.

During Chinese New Year, the color red is everywhere. People wear red, decorate with poems on red paper, and give children "hong bao" (or "lucky money") in red envelopes. That's because the color red symbolizes happiness, abundance, and good fortune. It also symbolizes fire, which according to legend can drive away bad luck.

On the first day of the New Year, people celebrate with an entire day filled with firecrackers. On the 15^th day, colorful lanterns illuminate a lively street parade of lion dancers and beautiful dragons warding off evil spirits and bringing good luck. The Lantern Festival signals the end of the holiday but also the promise of good fortune as the Chinese year begins anew!

New Year is a time of family reunion which culminates in a tremendous New Year's Eve feast featuring plate after plate of elaborate food. Traditional dishes include a whole fish, which stands for abundance, and a chicken, which signifies good luck.