Chinese New Year: 2008 The Year of the Rat

 It seems like November and December are “The Big Holiday” time, but now that I take a look at February, it seems that at every turn there is another reason to celebrate.  Pity.

We just celebrated Mardi Gras, Superbowl XLII, Valentine’s Day is rapidly approaching and in two days many will ring in the New Year…the Chinese New Year.

Thursday, February 7th is New Year’s Day according to the Chinese calendar and the celebration runs for 14 days.  The New Year begins the first day of the Lunar Month and the exact dates change each year.

2008 is the Year of the Rat.  The Rat is the first zodiac in Chinese Astrology.  You are a Rat Sign if you were born during the following dates:

• 24 January 1936 – 10 February 1937: Fire Rat
• 10 February 1948 – 28 January 1949: Earth Rat
• 28 January 1960 – 14 February 1961: Metal Rat
• 15 February 1972 – 2 February 1973: Water Rat
• 2 February 1984 – 19 February 1985: Wood Rat
• 19 February 1996 – 6 February 1997: Fire Rat
• 7 February 2008 – 25 January 2009: Earth Rat
• 25 January 2020 – 11 February 2021: Metal Rat
• 11 February 2032 – 30 January 2033: Water Rat
• 30 January 2044 – 16 February 2045: Wood Rat
• 15 February 2056 – 3 February 2057: Fire Rat
• 3 February 2068 – 22 January 2069: Earth Rat
• 22 January 2080 – 8 February 2081: Metal Rat
• 7 February 2092 – 26 January 2093: Water Rat

The above signs include the corresponding element sign.  According the Wikipedia The Rat is a leader, pioneer and conqueror with a weakness for self-promotion and life’s indulgences.

So what to have for dinner?  New Year’s Eve is when the big food celebration seems to occur, but for those of us who aren’t purists you could have a traditional meal anytime during the the 14 days.

The food is all symbolic of good luck, health and monetary gain for the upcoming year:  Several of the Chinese food names are homophones for words that also mean good things. 

Food items

Epicurious has a full menu including Cantonese Style Steamed Sea Bass and Lo Mein with Beef.  Rhonda Parkinson of About.com also has a long list of Chinese foods to try.  Oh, and don’t forget to wear something red and hand-out a lot of those Red Envelopes.