I am putting up next year's page early this year, since 2008 ushers in the beginning of a new 12 year cycle. Through February 6, 2008, however, we will still be in a Fire Pig Year, the last of the current cycle of 12 animals in Chinese and Tibetan astrology. According to Australian astrologer Malvin Artley, who specializes in the subtleties of Asian astrology, the pig --

...is about finishing, endings and making way for beginnings. [Pigs] are a big statement to the collective psyche—wrap things up and move on.

Then on February 7th, we enter the Year of the Earth Rat, the first in the next astrological cycle.  Here are some excerpts from Artley's November 2007 Newsletter:

...The Chinese New Year of 2008 marks a period of new starts, being the Year of the Yellow [Earth] Rat....The ‘Rat’ is the commencement of the Chinese cycle....

...2008 looks to be a year of unexpected outcomes. It is of particular interest to note that the Chinese New Year begins on 7 Feb 2008, with a partial solar eclipse and a small stellium conjunct the 15th degree of Aquarius, well-known in mundane astrological circles as a ‘disaster degree’, with Pluto on an Aries point (0 Capricorn 21) as well in semi-square to the stellium....

Another reason I am putting this Lunar New Year page online earlier than usual is because when I see words like "disaster degree," I want as many people as possible to know about it so that we, as a collective, can invoke healing energies around this date and, hopefully, ward off the worst of it. Artley, however, also includes the "up" side when he writes:

...This should be seen as a positive time, however. Much has needed to change. The eclipse of 7 Feb 2008 is a North Node eclipse, bringing about new starts. For now, though, it is time to have a ‘spring clean’ for the psyche and prepare for the interlude of the spiritual year (December solstice and Capricorn full moon) in preparation for the high points of the year to come with the Aries, Taurus and Gemini festivals of 2008....

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Chinese Rat
© James Tan: permission pending
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NOTE: astrological, "predictive" sites are updated annually on my page.  Sites describing traditional beliefs and activities, however -- even though they may mention the date and animal of the year when the page was written -- are dealing with age-old practices and remain accurate regardless of dates.

"Rat" in Chinese Zodiac

Chinese New Year:
General Information
[Note: for specific information on the current year,
please scroll down to the next section.]

Chinese Firecrackers
[From a defunct source]

[Added 3 January 2004:]  If you'd like to know the dates and animals for any Lunar New Year from 1645 to 2644, this is the site for you.

This excellent page includes a fascinating Arts & Crafts section for children -- also Resources: if you click on the link, you'll find essays plus many family and classroom-oriented, annotated links to dragons and/or serpents, festive lore, customs, food, photos, Asian astrology, and much more.  This page provides an exceptionally wide range of annotated links to history, lore, lanterns, food, dance, dragon costumes, art, games, cards to send, and much more.  For a good essay on Chinese New Year, including tradional symbolism and do's and don'ts, click here: http://www.asianfamily.com/holidays/chinese_new_year.htm:

[Added 20 January 2004]:From Australia's Father Time's Net comes a page of customs for Chinese New Year:

...Chinese people believe that evil spirits dislike loud noises so they decorate their houses with plastic firecrackers. The loud noises are intended to frighten away evil spirits and bad luck that the spirits might bring.

They also go to the markets to buy plants and flowers that will bring them good luck for the New Year. The Kumquat tree is considered to be the luckiest because its name is a play on the word lucky.

The peach blossom is also considered to be lucky and the markets are decorated with the delicate blossoms wrapped in tissue paper that stops them getting damaged....

Don't miss this page from Jun Shan, the Chinese Culture guide at about.com, who tells an ancient tale of a fierce monster named Nian and a wise old man who saved his people from Nian.  Regardless of what animal rules an individual year, this story still lies at the root of Chinese New Year.  (Note: this tale is mentioned briefly on other sites but this is the only place where I found the full story.) [12/28/01: addendum -- since I have been having trouble accessing this page lately, and since about.com has recently been recklessly slashing their excellent guides' sites, I'm going to rescue this psychologically astute story lest it vanish:]

The legend says, long ago, there was a monster called Nian. It was born to be very ugly and ferocious, which looked like either dragons or unicorns. On the first and the 15th of each lunar month, the monster would come down from the mountains to hunt people. So people were very much afraid of it and locked their doors early before sunset on the days of its coming.

There lived an old wise man in a village. He thought it was the panic in people that made the monster so bold and furious. Thus the old man asked people to organize together and to conquer the monster by means of beating drums and gongs, burning bamboo, and lighting fireworks in purpose of making large noises to threaten the hateful monster. When he told people about the idea, everybody agreed on it.

At a moonless and freezing cold night, the monster, Nian, appeared again. The moment it opened its mouth at people, burst out the frightening noises and fire made by people, and wherever the monster went, it was forced to back off by the terrible noises. The monster couldn't stop running until he fell down with exhaustion. Then people jumped up and killed the evil monster. Savage as the monster was, he lost in the end under the efforts from the cooperation of people.

Since then, people have kept the tradition by beating drums and gongs, and lighting fireworks at the coldest day in winter to drive the imagined monsters away and to celebrate the victory over it. Today, Nian refers to the New Year's day or the Spring Festival. People often say Guo Nian, which means 'live the festival.' Furthermore, Nian also means the year. For an example, the Chinese often greet each other by saying Xin Nian Hao, which means Happy New Year! Xin means new and Hao means good.

Again from Jun Shan comes a charming page on each household's "Kitchen God" (a kind of cosmic spy), whose feast falls a week before Chinese New Year.  On this day the deity returns to heaven to make a report on the family's good or ill deeds over the preceding year.  Read the page to find out how the family makes sure the report is in their favor.  It gives a whole new meaning to the concept of "sacrifice."  [12/28/01: addendum -- again, I'm going to rescue the passage lest it too vanish:]

Traditionally the Spring Festival actually begins its course a week before the Chinese New Year (the 23th of the last month from Chinese lunar calendar), with the practice of offering a sacrifice to the Kitchen God, a god sent from Heaven to each family to take charge of family's affairs and make a report on what the family has done in the past year to Heaven annually on the date of the 23th. Strangely enough, the sacrifice to the Kitchen God is a lotus root-like sticky cake made of a kind of confection, a typical Chinese traditional candy, instead of the usual cows, pigs or sheep. The purpose of the practice is compromising, for people are making full use of the sticky cake to prevent the Kitchen God from speaking ill of the family in Heaven by sticking his mouth. Of course, it seems to be quite a tacit agreement between the Kitchen God and his prayers; he is always accepting the sweet food from the people around. This tradition is no longer popular in cities now, but may still be observed in some areas of countryside.

Note:  both this page and the one directly above are two among many interesting links on Jun Shan's index for Chinese New Year's found at: http://chineseculture.about.com/culture/chineseculture/library/weekly/topicsub1.htm

[1/12/03: unfortunately, the above link now goes to a news service with access to topics by subscription only -- thus, I can't even check to see if this is still in their archives.  Regardless, I'm keeping the annotation.  1/22/05: Good news! -- the Web Archive, or "Wayback Machine," has stored this page -- you'll need to be patient because these archival pages can take time to load, but at least it still exists]:

This is "Peach Wood Charms and Evil Spirits, a reference to small red papers adorning Chinese doors at Lunar New Year.  The red papers replace charms originally carved or painted on peach wood:

...According to legend, two brothers, Shennai and Yulei, lived on a beautiful mountain and grew a large grove of peach trees. They often helped the poor fight against monsters and demons. After their death, the two brothers became gods in heaven and were ordered by the Supreme Deity of Heaven to punish the evil spirits. The story says the spirits were so scared of the two brothers that even the mere sight of the peach trees they had planted would be enough to scare the spirits away, hence the peach wood charms....

[1/12/03: this also goes to a news service with access to topics by subscription only.   I'm still keeping the annotation.
1/22/05: More good news! -- here too, the Web Archive has saved this page -- you'll need to be patient as these archival pages can take time to load, but at least it still exists]:

This brief page from Inside China Today looks at the lantern festival held in China on the 15th day of the first lunar month:

...In ancient China, new year celebrations started from New Year's Eve and reached a second climax during the Lantern Festival....

The charming legend of the Lantern Festival involves firecrackers, a city full of red lanterns, and a dumpling-making heroine who is a palace maid.  [22 January 2005 --although the Web Archive still has this page, load times tend to be long and it's probably prudent to rescue the legend, just in case]:

...During the reign of Emperor Wu Di of the Han Dynasty, there was a palace maid named Yuanxiao. Yuanxiao was a clever and kind-hearted girl, but she was very sad and homesick as she was locked up in the palace all year round.  Luckily she found a friend in a minister called Dongfang Shuo. He told the emperor a clever story and helped Yuanxiao see her family again.

Shuo told the emperor the Supreme Deity of Heaven had ordered the God of Fire to set the city of Changan ablaze on the 16th day of the first month of the lunar year. Shuo sad the only way to prevent this from happening was to let off firecrackers and hang up red lanterns all over the city. Shuo said everyone – even the palace maids – would have to participate in the lantern show.  Knowing that the God of Fire loved to watch a good fire show and that he also liked the dumplings made by Yuanxiao, Shuo suggested to the emperor he allow Yuanxiao to present her dumplings to the god. Shuo said the fire god would surely be appeased and therefore save the city of Changan.

The emperor bought the story and ordered the city of Changan to spend that entire night letting off firecrackers and playing with lanterns. Nothing amiss happened that night and Yuanxiao took advantage of her time outside the palace to have a family reunion.  Emperor Wu Di had such a good time that the next year he again ordered that red lanterns be hung all over the city on that same day and the little palace maid made her dumplings again too.

Thus the 15th day of the first lunar month of the year became a festival. The Lantern Festival is also called the Yuanxiao Festival, named after the famous dumplings. On this night, people celebrate under the first full moon of the year, which is symbolic of family reunions and a full happy life.

Note: 31 January 2007: just in case, here's an alternate link, minus the opening sentence in the original:
http://www.orientalfood.com/culture/festival/legendoflantern.shtml

This is a small and select collection of annotated Chinese New Year links from the Open Directory.  This is a great place to browse if you're looking for more in-depth explanations of Asian beliefs, calendars, astrology, and lore.

From China the Beautiful comes a page of lovely graphics which are traditionally hung throughout the house for Chinese New Year's.  The best are from Yanliuqing, which were first produced between 1573 and 1620. There are 3 linked pages here.

Note: China the Beautiful has a wide selection of exceptionally well-done pages focusing on Chinese art, literature, culture, and history.  For a listing, go here: http://www.chinapage.com/china-rm.html

[Added 20 January 2004:] Again from China the Beautiful comes this page of assorted facts and annotated links for Chinese New Year.

"Rat" in Chinese Zodiac

Chinese New Year:
Specific Information on Current Year

"Children of the Chinese Zodiac" Series: Rat
© Caroline R. Young:  all rights reserved.

[Updated for 2008]:  This is a page chockfull of odd bits of information about each Chinese Lunar New Year, Chinese astrology ("fortune-telling"), and much more.  The site looks at the fortune-telling aspect of the year in conjunction with wood, metal, fire, earth, and water elements in an individual's astrology chart -- there is enough information here to let you see how immensely complex it really is.  You would need to have your own chart cast according to Chinese rules to make sense of it but the site does offer a page in which you can at least insert your birth data to get an entry-level chart that will help clarify your own personal "luck." About the rat year, the page comments:

...Rat is a very alert, coward, quick, sly, ambitious and smart animal. Human still learn something from rats. When all rats run away from a building with no reason, we should run and leave the building soon too. Ancient Chinese won't get on a ship without rats, because that's not normal....

[Updated for 2008]: Master Raymond Lo's website is comprehensive and covers a wide range of issues.   In addition to wars and other international affairs, he includes natural and manmade disasters, health, economy, investments, and Feng Shui.  Here are some excerpts from what he writes for 2008:

...The Year of the Rat, 2008, in the Hsia calendar, is symbolized by two elements – with earth sitting on top of water. According to the cycle of birth and destruction, which governs the inter-relationship between the elements, earth is the conqueror of water. . Therefore, earth sitting on water is a symbol of control. But the water of the Rat year is very strong and the earth floating on top of water has no foundation and cannot control the ocean of water. As such, instead of conquering water, it is more like confrontation between earth and water elements. The Earth on top is Yang earth which symbolizes a mountain, and mountain gives sense of stability and firmness. But such floating earth in the ocean is weak in foundation and the stability appears to be fragile. This elemental relationship will bring a year which apparently is more stable but there are a lot of underlying tensions and confrontations.

The Chinese calendar year goes on 60-year cycle. This means that we have experienced the same year of yang earth on rat in 1948. This was a year when the confrontation between USSR and the west intensified with the Blockade of Berlin started and the formation of the Western Union by the Brussels Treaty to confront the threat of USSR; this is the predecessor to NATO. In May this year, the State of Israel was established and also the confrontation between Israel and Arabian countries began leading to the Arab-Israel war.

The Rat belongs to the strongest water element and it is the first of the 12 animal signs. So it also represents the beginning of a new 12 years cycle. As such, the Rat year can bring a new beginning of international relationships and social order; this could bring new regimes with new government in some countries. Indeed, there will be many major elections happening between 2007 and 2008 with change of leadership in many countries including U.S.A., United Kingdom, Russia, France, Taiwan…..The rat is also considered as a “Flower of Romance”. So years of the rat will stimulate more romance and sex scandals. The Rat is in clash relationship against the Horse. . This is a clash between water and fire elements and will often bring accidents related to both fire and water, air and the sea. The Rat is the most powerful ocean water and it will bring heavy flooding or even tsunami disaster. The most famous water disasters in history, such as the South Asia tsunami on 26/12/2004 and the sinking of the Titanic on 14/4/1912, both incidents happened on a date with prominent appearance of the Rat. Looking at past history, in 1228 a year of Earth Rat, there is big flood in Holland killing 100,000 people, and in 1588 another year of Earth Rat, the Spanish Armada encountered storm in Ireland and 5000 people died in this heavy storm. In 1888, year of Earth Rat, there is “Great Blizzard” in the east coast of the USA and 400 people died. The clash between fire and water will also bring accidents related to fire and the airline business is in the category of fire element. As such, it is observed that the year of the Rat seems to experience more air disasters. A typical year with many aviation disasters is the previous Rat year in 1996. During this year, there are over 20 major airplane crashes including the U.S. TWA Boeing 747 crashed in July, 1996 killing 230. Looking at the immediate last Earth Rat year in 1948, there were also quite a numbers of airplane crashes including the hijack of a Cathy Pacific airplane in June, 1948.

Yang earth on the rat also symbolizes unstable earth, this will also bring earth disasters such as earthquake, landslide, collapse of buildings. The Earth element is also associate with homosexuality. It so happens many famous homosexuals is born on the day of earth – this includes Leonardo Da Vinci, Michael Angelo, Tchaikovsky, George Michael, Boy George, Andy Warhol, Tracy Chapman, K.D. Lang. Rosie Odonell etc. As such, there could be more issues in this aspect in 2008. It is not really clear how earth element is linked with homosexuality. Perhaps earth is an element of more neutral nature, compare against the other four, water and fire, wood and metal....

...In general, the yang Earth Rat year, with earth on top failing to control water below, is symbol of apparent calmness on the outside but such calmness lacks a solid foundation and the mountain can tumble and devoured by the ocean of fierce water. Some kind of new world order began to emerge but it will take time to consolidate into stability. . Still there will be international conflicts and uprisings and unrest but such events may be less turbulent than 2007. The new beginning of the 12 animal cycle led by the Rat will be first step to cool down or slow down the acceleration of Global warming problem.

This essay is lengthy but worth reading.  Even if he's wrong about the specifics, it can't hurt to be extra cautious about his findings on problem areas.

 [Added 1/26/08]:This page focuses very nicely on what each individual sign can expect in this Year of the Earth Rat. The simplicity of taking a single focus is appealing (sometimes, a more global approach can overwhelm a reader).

The site also offers this small piece of information  -- since I love garnets (my birthstone), I enjoyed seeing this:

The rat's stone, the deep red garnet, is the color of joyful celebration. It signifies the loyalty and passion of the most honorable traits of the sign that will rule the year ahead.

I also like the sensible disclaimer at the end:

Remember, whatever the omens portend, for better or worse, you are the final master of your own fate.

 [Added 1/26/08]: This commercial site from the UK is another predictive page based on each individual sign. Feng Shui products are recommended to avert any bad influences that the Year of the Earth Rat might bring.  I read through some of the well-written product descriptions with interest -- the products look lovely and I liked the presentation. Will I buy any? Probably not -- I love the philosophy behind Feng Shui but I've never found that the practices or products made any difference in my life. I, for example, happen to be a packrat and am not troubled by a certain amount of clutter. Feng Shui abhors clutter. There have been times when I have scrupulously kept my front hallway and/or other areas clear of all clutter in an attempt to attract more prosperous energies. Did it help? Not that I could tell.  In fact, keeping my hallway clutter-free just added to my usual stress, which I did not find helpful.

Still, if Feng Shui works for you -- and I have great friends for whom it does -- you may enjoy the products here.

[As of 1/26/08, her 2008 update is not yet available so I'm leaving my 2007 anotation unchanged for now]:  These are excerpts from Shelly Wu's Chinese Astrology site.

.......[1/26/08: excerpts on Fire Pig deleted as no longer relevant. See last year's page if you wish to read them].......

Finally, Wu offers a number of lists relating to various issues in 2007.  She also includes a month by month evaluation of each zodiac sign's good fortune, using 4 stars for "Excellent (Very auspicious, a wide and smooth path)" down to one star for "Difficult (Be cautious, astral clash to the month)."

Since Wu's work is engaging and excellent, this is a good place to browse for information on Chinese astrology and related matters.  You can even get your Chinese year-animal and basic element by following one of her links (as indicated above however, for a thorough reading much more is needed than just those two ingredients).

[As of 1/26/08, her 2008 update is also not yet available so I'm leaving my 2007 anotation unchanged for now]:  From AstroLog, an Australian site, comes a brief but well done page by Gayle Atherton on "What to Expect in the Year of the Fire Pig."  The page covers some of the same data that Master Lo explores (above) on disasters.  If you don't have time to read Master Lo's lengthy essay, this site will give you a quick overview:

.......[1/26/08: excerpts on Fire Pig deleted as no longer relevant. See last year's page if you wish to read them].......

The page also discusses the impact of the Fire Pig year upon your own personal Chinese sign (these tend to be much more hopeful). In addition, it offers links to Feng Shui in 2007, zodiac forecasts, and much more.

"Rat" in Chinese Zodiac

Chinese New Year:
People Born in a Rat Year

[Updated for 2008]:  This is a site focusing on personalities determined by the Chinese zodiac.  Each zodiac sign is given its own page (with a search engine at the top for other signs).  About the Rat, here is what this site says:

Rats are famous for their quick silver tongue and their 'accumulate and save' mentality. Their natural charm and sharp, funny demeanor make them an appealing friend for almost anyone.

Below their apparent charm, Rats are keen and unapologetic promoters of their own agendas. Self-interest is the true motivator for rats.Greed can become a problem if the Rat isn't careful to keep his/her priorities straight. Their materialistic attitude notwithstanding, Rats often go out of their way to protect and encourage their inner circle of friends and family members.

The outside world might perceive rats as quick-tempered and sharp-tongued, but never boorish.Rats are a Sign that everyone around will quickly learn either to love or to hate.

Intellectually, the Rat's keen mind always seeks out new knowledge, to be stored away for future use. This ever-curious Sign also welcomes challenges as a way to stay sharp.

A valuable lesson for Rats is to learn to consider others above themselves, at least sometimes. If they can develop their sense of self and realize it leaves room for others in their life as well, Rats could find true happiness.

[Updated for 2008]:  From the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco comes an excellent, brief, nicely illustrated page covering all twelve of the Chinese zodiac signs.  Here is what it says for Rat:

Year of the Rat: 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008

Note: this site doesn't go into larger predictive material for lunar years: focus is on traits applicable to individuals born in these years.

[Updated for 2008]:   Here again the focus is on the personalities of those born in each of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs. In addition to a survey of characteristics of each sign, there is also a jade animal representing each sign -- these come from a 1,000  year old Song Dynasty jade artifact collection of the 12 Zodiac Animals. The photos of these jade pieces are large and detailed -- many are really quite lovely.  [Note: for those interested in jade, click on "Chronological History" and you'll find a treasure trove of beautifully illustrated pages (including maps) of jade art from Chinese dynasties from Neolithic times through the Qing Dynasty.]

Here is what this page has to say about people born in the Rat Year:

RAT People are both charming and aggressive. They appear calm and well balanced on the surface, but underneath, they are restless and a little nervous. RAT People are compatible, hard working, and they know how to hang on to a penny. They are never without admirers. They are very appealing. They have a bright and happy personality, and this keeps them busy socially. They love parties and other large gatherings. They like belonging to exclusive clubs and will often have a close circle of fellow conspirators. They like involvement and are very outgoing.  RAT People cherish friends and loved ones. For this reason, they often get entangled with others' problems and lives.

[Updated for 2008]:  This is my final page of Chinese zodiac signs.  It offers interesting and astute psychological portraits.  Note: you can further click for the animal's relevant element -- e.g., fire dog, earth dog, metal dog, etc.

On Rat People in general, here are some excerpts:

The Chinese astrological cycle begins with the year of the Rat; consequently those born within this category like to be first, pioneers, at the forefront of the action. Because of this, they tend to see themselves as a cut above the others. Restless and inquisitive, they are are active, both physically and mentally, tending to lead busy lives. Challenge is essential to them for they love the thrill of living dangerously. With clairvoyance, intuition, perspicacity and an eye for detail, they are formidable problem solvers, finding workable solutions to the knottiest problems. Traveling is one of their favorite pastimes.

They possesses attributes ranging from charming and humorous to honest and meticulous. The Chinese say those born in these years make good and wise advisors, yet they can never decide for themselves and change direction constantly. However, Rats at times hunger for power and money, leading some to be gamblers and others to be manipulative or petty. Their greed can lead them into a destructive trap....

...Rats should have a happy childhood and a carefree youth. However, the second part of their lives may be stormy and problematical. They may be prone to lose money in a bad business deal or their happiness in an unfortunate love affair. The third part of their lives will be comfortable, and their old age as peaceful as could be wished.

It is important to note whether the Rat was born in the summer or the winter of the year. In summer the lofts and granaries are full, but in winter the Rat will be obliged to go out and forage for food, and must watch out for the traps set along the way. In human terms, this could mean the risk of prison or an accidental death....

... As well as being deeply passionate they are sensual creatures who simply exude sexuality and who greatly enjoy all forms of physical stimulation.

About Earth Rats specifically (i.e., those born between 10-Feb-1948--28-Jan-1949):

...Under the influence of the element Earth, he finds happiness and contentment in order, discipline and security. He matures early and strives to develop his positive traits and be recognized for his talents. He cares a good deal for his reputation but is warm and protective toward those he loves.

"Rat" in Chinese Zodiac

 Japanese New Year

This page has annotated links to Japan's New Year celebration: there are fewer links here because many Japanese celebrate the New Year from January 1-3 instead of using the more traditional lunar calendar [see below].  Nevertheless, though few, the links are well chosen, especially those for children on special New Year's toys and games.  This is an accompanying essay on Japanese New Year: http://www.familyculture.com/holidays/japanese_new_year.htm:

...Japan has adopted the solar calendar since 1873 and the New Year celebration starts on January 1.   However, in rural Japan, villagers continue to follow the lunar calendar and Oshogatsu is the Lunar New Year....

[Added 20 January 2004:] From Father Time's Net in Australia comes an informative little site on Japanese New Year, which is celebrated starting January first, but the celebrations include older Shinto aspects from Lunar New Year.

[Updated 22 January 2005: this page has now died but still exists at the Wayback Machine/Web Archive -- please be patient as it loads]: http://web.archive.org/web/20020213114027/http://www.gidra.net/issues/99_spring/new_year.html[1/26/08: now this is a dead link too  but I'm keeping the brief annotation in case it ever re-surfaces]:

This is an engaging little essay by Japanese American, Dean Toji, on many pan-Asian New Year celebrations falling from November to mid-April.

Although New Year's is now generally celebrated January 1-3 in Japan, many of the customs connected with this celebration have simply been shifted from the much older lunar New Year.  Thus, I am including this link on this page as well as on my Solstice/Yuletide page.  This enjoyable site looks at Japanese New Year's customs and offers a wide range of clickable photos depicting decorations, symbols, foods, and much more.
"Rat" in Chinese Zodiac

Korean New Year

[Added 4-5 January 2004:] This is an engaging, charmingly written page on Korean customs and rituals (quite detailed) at the New Year.  It's also beautifully illustrated.  Here's a passage on New Year's Eve that I especially love:

Before going into the "New Year's day," let's see what happens on New Year's eve:
"Sut dal kum mum" is New Year's eve in Korean and on that night nobody is supposed to sleep. It's the so called "je yah". There was a belief that if someone slept on that night, the eyebrows would turn white. That was the reason why the light was on at every room, the "maru" and even in the kitchen. This was done to receive the brand new year's day with awaken eyes and brightness. During the New Year's eve day people perform an overall cleaning, brushing off old dust. At the evening they heat water and take a bath. They also burn bamboo sticks to cast off every single house demon. They thought that with the sound of the exploding bamboo's knots, the demons would get scared and run away. At night, as a sign of appreciation, people greet the family's elders and if there is a "sadang" at home they present an offering there. It's the ceremony of the last day of the year....

I only had time to check the first two annotated links here but found the first one (Click Asia) informative and beautifully illustrated, and the second one (Korean Insights) a great resource for children, especially the delightfully illustrated folk tales. [Note: as of 1/22/05, some of the links have died -- if you are especially attracted to one, you might try the Web Archive.]  There are also links to more academically oriented data.  For a brief essay on Korean New Year, click here: http://www.asianfamily.com/holidays/korean_new_year.htm

[Added 4-5 January 2004:]  From Father Time's Net comes a brief page on Korean traditions:

The first day of the lunar new year is called Sol-nal. This is for families to renew ties and prepare for the new year.  New Year's Eve: People place straw scoopers, rakes or sieves on their doors and walls to protect their families from evil spirits in the new year....

[Added 4-5 January 2004:]  From a world travel site comes an informative page on Korean customs at the New Year. It includes links for those wishing to travel to Korea for this celebration.

[Added 20 January 2004:]  This gentle little page (with good photos) looks at Korean New Year's customs from the perspective of adopted Korean children living in the United States.

Some Korean children living in Middle Tennessee as the adopted children of American families had the opportunity to learn about the holiday's customs Saturday at a Korean New Year's Party put on by the Murfreesboro Korean School.  Traditional Korean food, crafts, clothing and music were a part of the event, said Jan King, the mother of two adopted Korean children and founder of the school.

"It's not all dragon parades and fireworks," said King, referring to popular images of the celebration. "It's a much simpler, family event. The Korean New Year's is mainly a way of showing your respect for your parents and your elders and predecessors, and hoping to start your New Year off right"....

...The adoption of Korean children by American parents started during the Korean War and has continued throughout the 50 years since that time. When some of the older adoptees reached adulthood, they were able to communicate the problems they faced as Asian children raised by mainly Caucasian Americans.  When the adoptions began, King said, "Parents were advised to take them home and treat them like their own children. They suffered a lot, because society felt they were Asian, and they felt they were American, and so they had identity crises.  "They felt they were white, but were not always accepted as white by the general public. Over the years, it was found that one of the best things we can do for them is teach them about their heritage."

As a way to do this, adoptive parents began starting Korean schools in their communities where Korean-American children can learn about the culture, language and traditions of their ancestors.  "This way, they kind of get to have a dual heritage," King said.

"Rat" in Chinese Zodiac

  http://www.fathertimes.net/taiwanesenewyear.htm

[Added 20 January 2004:] From Father Time's Net comes an entry-level page on Taiwanese traditions:

...To insure the arrival of luck and wealth in the new year, several taboos must be heeded. Floors may not be swept and garbage may not be disposed for fear of casting riches out the door, cussing and quarreling is to be avoided at all costs, and anyone who breaks a dish on this day must quickly say Peace for all time, to avoid incurring misfortune....

"Rat" in Chinese Zodiac

Tibetan New Year

A few days ago Dharma Publishing sent customers an e-mail of special bargains for Tibetan New Year (beginning 24 February 2001 and lasting for a week).  They included great data on traditions connected with this celebration.  I checked their website to see if they had a page on this.  They did not.  I wrote to see if they planned to launch one and, if not, could I?  They gave me their gracious permission to reprint their e-mailed material.  I created a special page for this -- the above link will take you there.  Enjoy!  <smile>[12/28/01: note -- I've e-mailed for an update on the Horse Year since this page currently only considers the Snake Year: no response.]

[Added 20 January 2004:]   From Father Time's Net in Australia comes an entry-level site on Tibetan New Year, or Losar.

[Added 22 January 2005:]  This page on Losar (New Year) comes from the Venerable Salden of Namgyal Monastery -- the personal monastery of the Dalai Lama.  I found especially intriguing the role of Belma, an old woman who understood lunar time and gave this knowledge to others:

...The word Losar is a Tibetan word for New Year. LO means year and SAR means new. The celebration of Losar can be traced back to the pre-Buddhist period in Tibet. During the period when Tibetans practiced the Bon religion, every winter a spiritual ceremony was held, in which people offered large quantities of incense to appease the local spirits, deities and protectors.... The [Buddhist] festival is said to have begun when an old woman named Belma introduced the measurement of time based on the phases of the moon. This festival took place during the flowering of the apricot trees of the Lhokha Yarla Shampo region in autumn, and it may have been the first celebration of what has become the traditional farmers' festival. It was during this period that the arts of cultivation, irrigation, refining iron from ore and building bridges were first introduced in Tibet. The ceremonies which were instituted to celebrate these new capabilities can be recognized as precursors of the Losar festival. Later when the rudiments of the science of astrology, based on the five elements, were introduced in Tibet, this farmer's festival became what we now call the Losar or New Year's festival....

The page continues with a number of interesting traditions connected with this day, including the role of the Dalai Lama, where again the feminine plays a significant role, this time as a goddess:

... In the early dawn of this day, the monks of Namgyal Monastery offer a sacrificial cake (Tse- tor) on top of the main temple (Potala in Tibet) to the supreme hierarchy of Dharma protectors, the glorious goddess Palden Lhamo. Led by the Dalai Lama, the abbots of three great monasteries, lamas, reincarnated monks, government officials and dignitaries join the ceremony and offer their contemplative prayers, while the monks of Namgyal Monastery recite the invocation of Palden Lhamo....

... In Tibet before the Chinese came, Losar had been celebrated for fifteen days or more. In India today we celebrate for three days, and in America we have minimized it to one day....

[Added 22 January 2005:]  This page looks at New Year traditions in nearby Ladakh -- scroll past about 1/3rd of the page until you get to a section called "Losar: How Ladakh got its new year":

This New Year festival has an interesting history. In the 17th century, King Jamyang Namgyal decided to lead an expedition against the Balti forces during winter. He was advised that any expedition before the New Year would be inauspicious. Like Alexander's solution to the Gordion Knot, his solution was direct and simple. He advanced the New Year celebrations by two months, establishing a tradition that people still follow- celebrating Losar on the first day of the eleventh month of every year....

The page doesn't explain why the populace didn't simply revert to their usual date the following year but it does offer information on rich customs associated with the festival.

[Added 22 January 2005:]This is a huge mega-site on Tibetan New Year with dozens, maybe hundreds, of links.  The links aren't annotated but they do include the first line or two so that you can get some idea of their content.   Many are from tour organizations with good (albeit brief) data and photos.

Vietnamese Tet

31 January 2007
Author's Note:

FYI:  I lived in Hue with my father on Le Loi Street from March to June 1961. I taught English to eager, wonderful Vietnamese students at USIS (United States Information Service). My father taught histology and other medical courses at the University of Hue (I typed out the course-notes for his classes).

I cannot "grok" these links about Tet and Hue without remembering my friends and students, many of whom died in the Tet Offensive. I cannot remember without crying. Part of me will always be there.

This is a beautifully written and exquisite page on Vietnamese Tet.  It's available in both French and English. [31 January 2007: this link is dead. Other links are below but as of this date there is no link related to the current New Year.]

[Added 31 January 2007:]From the above site, this is the compassionate Legend of Tet:

The myth of Táo Quân is based on the tragic story of a woodcutter and his wife. This modest couple lived happily until discovering they could not have children, the unfortunate husband began drinking and ill-treating his wife. The latter not being able to put up with it any longer left him and married a hunter in a village nearby. But one day, fooled of solitude and full of remorse, the  woodcutter decided to pay a visit to his wife to present his excuses.

At that moment, the hunter came home. In order to avoid misunderstanding, the young woman hid her first husband in a cowshed covered by a hatch roof, located next to the kitchen where the hunter was smoking his game. By misfortune, a spark burst out from the hearth and the cowshed caught fire. In panic, the young woman threw herself in the cowshed to save her ex-husband. The hunter followed her to give help and all three perished in the fire. The Emperor of Jade, from the height of his celestial throne, deeply touched by this sad fate, deified these unfortunate three and put them in charge of looking after the well-being of people at the vantage point of the kitchen.

Therefore they are from then on the gods of the Hearth.

Here is the home page of this site -- it offers many legends and other fine data:
http://perso.limsi.fr/dang/webvn/anglais.php: [1/26/08: updated]

[Added 20 January 2004:] From Australia's Father Time's Net comes this interesting little page on Tet:

The more popular name for the Vietnamese New Year is Tet, whereas the formal name is Nguyen-dan.  Tet is a very inportant festival because it provides one of the few breaks in the agricultural year, as it falls between the harvesting of the crops and the sowing of the new crops....

I especially like gradually changing animals into dragons, with the carp-stage coming just before the crowning event:

...They observe the custom of the kitchen god tao for a week before the New Year, they believe there are three gods represented by the three legs of the cooking equipment used in the kitchen. The middle god is a woman the other two are her husbands. It was once customary to provide the gods with a carp on which to travel. The carp represents the second last stage in the process by which animals are gradually transformed into dragons. They buy the carp from the market, bring it home and place it in a bucket of water to place at the altar of the house before it is later set free....

This an extensive collection of annotated links to the Vietnamese Tet celebration -- the links include folklore, customs, the Vietnamese zodiac, food, art, and college term papers with many well researched details (and bibliographies).  Of those I checked, the quality was first rate.  This is an accompanying essay on Tet: http://www.familyculture.com/holidays/tet.htm

[Added 31January 2007:]This is a general site on Vietnam with many links to all aspects of this lovely country.

"Rat" in Chinese Zodiac

Pan-Asian Lunar New Year

[Added 20 January 2004:] This is "New Year Around the World," a cross-cultural collection of pages from Australia's Father Time's Net.  Listed alphabetically by country, all New Year celebrations are featured here, including Lunar New Year.

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OTHER RELEVANT Myth*ingLinks PAGES:

Pigs in History, Religion, Culture, & Art:
[This is one of my new January 2007 pages with general information
but also great material on ancient China's pigs and pig-dragons.]

To the 2007-2008 Fire Pig page

To the 2006-2007 Yang Fire Dog page

To the 2005-2006 Wood Rooster page

To the 2004-2005 Wood Monkey page

To the 2003-2004 Water Goat page

To the 2002-2003 Water Horse page

To the 2001-2002 Year of the Metal Snake page

To the 2000-2001 Year of the Metal Dragon page

To the ASIA menu-page

To Common Themes: Time
(Calendars, Millennial Issues, etc)

These Lunar New Year pages were begun 17 January 2000 for Dragon Year:
for subsequent logs, see individual archives.

EARTH RAT YEAR:

Chinese Rat Logo

Pig Year: 25-31 January 2007: updated all the specific year-data sites;
also updated broken links with the help of my Links-Elf, Michaela.
Launched in the wee hours of 1/31/07.
14 February 2007: announced reprieve for the page --
no hiatus after all from 2/17-19/07, due to a generous donor!

Rat year: page begun early --7- 8 December 2007.
Officially launched 18 December 2007,  but without a links update on non-predictive sites yet.
26 January 2008: completed non-predictive links update, thanks to my Links-Elf, Michaela;
also updated one predictive site (Master Lo's) and added 2 new ones.
Two are still showing only their 2007 data -- I'll update them when they are available.
Archived 19 January 2009.

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Additional Art Sources:
http://www.chinesepaintings.com/:
A good, searchable source of Chinese art on various themes.

I was the Mythology/Religion consultant on game-2, "Wisdom Quest," of this series.  I also wrote "Wisdom Quest's" Companion Guide --  click on the title to go directly to its page: many will enjoy the book even if they don't own the game!