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Japan isn't the only place to enjoy cherry blossoms this spring. The capital of the United States puts on a pretty spectacular floral display of its own – thanks to the friendship and generosity of the Japanese people nearly 100 years ago. The Tidal Basin of Washington, DC – home to the Washington Monument and …
Continue reading "Viewing Cherry Blossoms in Washington, DC"
The blossoming of sakura, or cherry trees, starts as early as January in sub-tropical Okinawa, reaching Kyoto and Tokyo in late March or early April, and continuing northward toward Hokkaido – the northernmost of Japan's four major islands – as late as May. Just as weather varies from year to year, the blooming of cherry …
Chinese New Year is an official holiday throughout Greater China, which includes the mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. It also enjoys official status in countries with significant Chinese communities, such as Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Chinese New Year – while not an official holiday – is also celebrated in cities with significant Chinese …
Continue reading "How Chinese New Year Is Celebrated Overseas"
Traditionally, it was customary for people to spend Chinese New Year's Eve and the first two days of the New Year with family. By days three and four, things could – quite understandably – start getting a bit tense. To avoid arguments, it was considered best to avoid relatives on the third and fourth days …
If the Western calendar is linear in nature, the Lunar Calendar is cyclical, running in five 12 year cycles. These comprise two factors. The first are the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. The second are and the five elements: wood, fire, …
Today is the first day of the Year of the Tiger. According to the Chinese Lunar Calendar, that would make it 4707, 4708, or 4646 - depending on which source you consult. If the calendar now universally used throughout the world is based on the earth's rotation around the sun, the Lunar Calendar, which was …
Today is Chinese New Year's Eve. As the last day of the old year, everyone is busy getting haircuts, buying new clothes, going to flower markets, and doing what in the West we would call Spring Cleaning. Another important activity is the preparation of food for the next couple of days. It is important that …