Chinese New Year

• Greetings
• Background
• Dates
• The twelve signs of the zodiac
• How do the Chinese celebrate New Year?
• What significance does the festival have in the business world?
  How should you handle it?

Greetings:
"Happy Chinese Luna New Year!",
"Xing Nian Kuai Le!" (A Happy New Year!),
"Gong Xi Fa Cai!" (May you earn a fortune in the New Year!)
"Nian Nian You Yu. Long Ma jing shen" (Have a Good and Healthy New Year)

Background
The Chinese New Year is determined by the Chinese farmers' calendar which corresponds with the cycles of the sun (for the year) and the cycles of the moon (for the months). It's also celebrated in Vietnam (called Tet-Festival), Korea and Mongolia. The date of the festival, which takes place on the second new moon after the winter solstice between the 21 January and 21 February, varies from year to year.
We have put together for you the exact dates until 2030 see the calendar below:
 

The twelve signs of the zodiac
The Chinese signs of the zodiac are influenced by the moon and not by the sun like the European horoscope. The entire cycle takes twelve years - one year per zodiac. Asians believe in a horoscope cycle dating way back to the Han dynasty (202 BC - 220 AD). The origin of the cycle is a legend: Buddha invited all animals of his universe for a New Year celebration but only twelve came: the first was the rat, then came the ox followed by the tiger, the rabbit, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the sheep, the monkey, the rooster, the dog and the last to come was the pig. In return for their loyalty Buddha gave them a present. Each of them was allowed to rule for one year and during that time to determine all events and destinies. According to legend this was the origin of the Chinese horoscope (source: Wikipedia)

Which zodiac is yours? You will find the animal of your birth year in the chart below.

How do the Chinese celebrate New Year?
Chinese New Year is the most important family celebration in all Chinese societies similar to Christmas in the Western world. On this day all Chinese and their family, distance permitting, visit the family patriarch. Once a year China is therefore in a state of emergency. Hundreds of millions of people hit the road and the traffic volume is enormous. In the night of New Year's Eve however all city streets are completely deserted. One could cross the road blindfolded and dance in the streets.

This is the only time of the year when you should avoid traveling on business to China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan; visit the Chinese partners one week before or one week after the holiday. The reasons are obvious: all means of transport like flights, trains and buses are booked solid months in advance. Also don't forget: who would want to work on such a day which is equally important as a European holiday?

On New Year's Eve all family members gather at the parents' home and have dinner together. After dinner parents and grand parents give all children 'red envelopes' ('hong bao') containing money as good wishes present. Official and general celebrations take place on the first day of the New Year. Relatives and friends visit each other to exchange Happy New Year greetings.

What significance does the festival have in the business world?
How should you handle it?
New Year is the best occasion in the business world to cultivate contacts. The in-house New Year's meal in China is an equally important appointment for all employees as is the in-house Christmas meal in Germany. First the employees receive bonuses and New Year's gratifications then everybody eats drinks and celebrates in abundance. In successful financial years, presents are generously distributed or raffled. Many companies take advantage of this occasion to present lots for toys, electrical appliances, household items, shopping vouchers or similar things to important clients or other businesses.

Please send a special New Year's greeting mail. Don't just add it at the end of a regular Email. Write your personal message first and close with the following greetings:
"Happy Chinese Luna New Year!", and/or
"Gong Xi Fa Cai!"

For the translation and other greetings see top of page

Please note: Korea and Vietnam celebrate New Year at the same time as China; the lengths of the celebration vary from year to year. In general they last between four and seven days, in Singapore there are two public holidays. The government of Taiwan and Hong Kong declare the exact amount of holidays one or two weeks, Beijing only two or three days in advance. During that period it is rather pointless to plan a business trip to China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam or South Korea.

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