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Year of the Dragon - Feb. 5th 2000 - Jan. 23 2001 The Chinese New Year has been celebrated in China for more than 5,000 years. This auspicious holiday falls on a different date each year because the Chinese calendar is based on a combination of the lunar and solar cycles. In a lunar cycle, a month is made up of 29.5 days, so 12 months consist of only about 354 days, as opposed to the 364 days of the solar calendar. To make up the difference, the Chinese add an extra month every few years. The New Year begins at the second moon following the winter solstice, and may occur any time between January 1 and February 19. This year, Chinese New Year falls on February 5. Communities around the world with large Chinese populations observe the Lunar New Year with family observances, celebrations and parades from February 5. Celebrations can last from a long four day weekend to two weeks. In San Francisco, the Chinese New Year Parade, the largest in the western hemisphere is on February 19. AsianConnections columnist Ben Fong-Torres is co-host of the telecast of this year's San Francisco Chinese New Year's Parade. Of the Chinese zodiac's 12 animals, none matches the dragon's stature. It is the only mythical creature in the lunar calendar. Sleek and agile, it spits fire of excitement into people's lives. Its gold and red coloring - the most auspicious shades for a new year signify wealth, fame and prosperity.
What's so special about Dragons? Learn more about your Chinese Horoscope, Check out your Millennium - Year of the Dragon Horoscope: Don't know which Chinese Horoscope animal sign you belong to?!
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