The year 2006 is named The Year of the Dog. Over two weeks of feasting and fun follow with colourful parades, visits to family and friends, fireworks, and all kinds of ancient (and not-so-ancient) rituals to help bring in the new year. The Chinese New Year is based on a mixture of the lunar and solar calendars, so it falls on a different date each year – but always on the second moon after the winter solstice. It's a perfect time for a fresh start so houses are cleaned from top to bottom, debts are settled, lots of delicious food is eaten, and everyone tries to begin the year on a positive note.

There are three ways to name a Chinese year:

By an animal (like a mascot). This year is known as the Year of the Dog.

There are 12 animal names; so by this system, year names are re-cycled every 12 years. For instance, 2004 was the Year of the Monkey while last year it was the Year of the Rooster.

By its Formal Name (Stem-Branch). The New Year is the year of bingxu.

It is Year 4703 by Chinese calendar.

The 15-day celebration of the Chinese New Year

The first day of the Lunar New Year is “the welcoming of the gods of the heavens and earth”.

On the second day, the Chinese pray to their ancestors as well as to all the gods. They are extra kind to dogs and feed them well as it is believed that the second day is the birthday of all dogs.

The third and fourth days are for the sons-in-laws to pay respect to their parents-in-law.

The fifth day is called Po Woo. On that day people stay home to welcome the God of Wealth. No one visits families and friends on the fifth day because it will bring both parties bad luck.

On the sixth to the 10th day, the Chinese visit their relatives and friends freely. They also visit the temples to pray for good fortune and health.

The seventh day of the New Year is the day for farmers to display their produce. These farmers make a drink from seven types of vegetables to celebrate the occasion. The seventh day is also considered the birthday of human beings. Noodles are eaten to promote longevity and raw fish for success.

On the eighth day the Fujian people have another family reunion dinner, and at midnight they pray to Tian Gong, the God of Heaven.

The ninth day is to make offerings to the Jade Emperor.

The 10th through the 12th are days that friends and relatives should be invited for dinner. After so much rich food, on the 13th day you should have simply rice to cleanse the system.

The 14th day should be for preparations to celebrate the Lantern Festival which is to be held on the 15th night.