FESTIVALS

Chinese New Year - Year of the Water Dragon

Among the 12  Chinese zodiac animals the dragon is the only mythical animal and hence it is the most significant and popular. So much has been written but I wish to  highlight a few attributes and snippets.

According to Chinese folklore the first Chinese Emperor Hsi was partly a dragon. The Emperor's dragon is made up of 5 claws while the commoner's dragon is with 3 or 4 claws.The male dragon is yin while the female yang is the phoenix. The dragon and phoenix, hence makes the royal couple.

The dragon represents the Emperor and to-day it symbolises the Chinese nation and Chinese as a race.
People who are born in the year of the dragon are in popular demand to perform certain rites during auspicious occasions. I remember dragon children are asked to roll on wedding beds during the prenuptial ceremony, and to open the car door for the bridegroom on the wedding day when he arrives at the bride's home. It is supposed to bring good luck and happiness.

       WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY & PROSPEROUS YEAR OF THE DRAGON