Chinese prepare to celebrate the year of the goat

It has been several weeks since we ushered in the new 2015 year and most local residents celebrated New Years in one way or another. But if you lived in China you wold be getting ready to celebrate the new year on February 19.

Dr. Brenda Sun lived for 17 years in a remote area of China and to her family the Chinese New Year was extremely important. She says everyone made sure their houses were clean and the celebration goes on for a fortnight.

Sun says the Chinese culture embraces symbolism and for each of the animals in the Zodiac the strengths and virtues are celebrated. She says this is the year of the goat.

“I would like to say that the Chinese culture is very positive thinking, and definitely very symbolic just like the Christian faith,” explains Sun. “Of course we then focus on the strengths and virtues of every animal.

“The goat represents for the Chinese humility, meekness, kindness, generosity, sensitivity to other’s feelings.”

Dr. Sun says the Chinese give gifts to each other as many people do at Christmas and the great finale is the Lantern Festival that comes at the end of the fortnight.

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