Lunar New Year celebrated in China

Millions of people in China the Saturday night (9th) celebrated during and in the early hours of Sunday (10th) setting off fireworks to celebrate the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Snake. The party in the capital, Beijing, was opened by the presentation of the Canadian singer, Céline Dion.

Capital authorities decided to decrease the fireworks this year because of high pollution levels in the city. The biggest Chinese holiday celebrations were held to the same standards.

Even with the low temperatures, the streets of Beijing and other cities were filled at midnight by the crowd, which made noise to "ward off evil spirits."  Then, afterwards, the Chinese are gathered at home with families or in temples.

The tradition is followed by people from the Far East that celebrate the entry of the Lunar New Year on this date, especially in East and Southeast Asia and in Chinese communities around the world.

According to the Chinese horoscope, 2013 is the Year of the Snake, which replaces the Year of the Dragon.

Pope Benedict XVI sent good wishes to the peoples of Asia on the arrival of the New Year. During Sunday's Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, the Pope said that peace, harmony and gratitude are universal values ​​and wished the people of the continent success in achieving their goals of a happy and prosperous life.

In Macau, allegorical figures in the shape of a golden dragon of 238 yards and 18 lions paraded in the historic center to spread good wishes from the city on the first day of the Lunar New Year. Residents and tourists were concentrated mainly in front of the ruins of St. Paul, the former Church of the Mother of God, one of the main sights of the city.

The images of the dragon, lions, gods of happiness, longevity and prosperity and the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac that were led by a snake puppet, marching through the main streets of Macau. Many Chinese were trying to touch the dragon to attract luck and others exchanged vows for prosperity.

The Snake (Those born in years 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013)

The Horse (Born in 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014)

The Sheep (Born in 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015)

The Monkey (Born in 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016)

The Rooster (1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017)

The Dog (Born in 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018)

The Pig (Born in 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019)

The Rat (Born in 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008)

The Ox (Born in 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009)

The Tiger (Born in 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010)

The Rabbit (Born in 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011)

The Dragon (Born in 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012)

This year is predicted to be a year of contradictions, promising good and bad for every sign in the Chinese zodiac.




Translated from the Portuguese version by:

Lisa Karpova
Pravda.Ru