Today begins the Chinese New Year, the longest and most important holiday in the Chinese calendar. 2015 is the year of the goat, but you may see it referred to as the “Year of the Sheep” because of the Chinese character “yang,” which can translate in colloquial Chinese as either sheep or goat.
Get a few more fun facts about today’s holiday below!
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- It is China’s most important holiday, spanning 15 days.
- About a sixth of the world will celebrate it.
- It is the year of the goat.
- Children will be given red envelopes filled with money to bring happiness and good fortune, and they will sleep with it under their pillow.
- Dinners, parades, dragon dances, reunions and gift exchanges are all part of Chinese New Year celebrations.
Get more info about the day here. Happy New Year to those celebrating!