China Celebrates New Year

James Wong, chairman of the Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee, said: “Chinese New Year is the biggest event in the Chinese calendar”.

Birmingham’s Chinese community is preparing to welcome in the Year of the Monkey on Sunday, February 7, with an afternoon of celebrations aimed at the whole family.

There’s also a “Prosperity Spot” in the middle of each cabin, aimed at encouraging commuters to move in.

Chinese pedestrians walk passed a display for the upcoming Year of the Monkey for the Chinese New Year at a market on January 19, 2016 in Beijing, China.

Chinese legend states that The Emperor of Heaven asked all the animals to meet him on New Year’s Day and named a year after each of the twelve animals that came. Several traditions are also observed during the welcoming of the Lunar New Year.

Chinese are packing train and bus stations as the peak travel season kicks into high gear this weekend with hundreds of millions of people going home for Spring Festival celebrations – or head for vacation destinations.

People born in the Year of the Monkey are said to be lively, flexible, quick-witted and versatile, with a love for sports.

In line with the Year of the Monkey, the decorations and performances will include elements of Journey To The West, a classic Chinese story featuring the Monkey King. Each new year is characterized by the Chinese Characteristics of one of the 12 zodiac animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

The Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C., celebrated a few days early with a Chinese-themed family day on Saturday, Jan. 30. One of the five elements – gold (metal), water, wood, fire or earth – is also assigned to each new year.