Posted on 8th Sep 2011 @ 3:23 PM

News item

Black History Month during the month of February.

On February 8, 1972 Oprah Winfrey launched her television show, the longest talk show on tv with a black host.

Flags for the five Military Branches are available for immediate delivery.  See our Military category for all sizes available.

Chinese New Year

The Year of the Dragon began on January 23, 2012.  The Chinese calendar notes it as the year 4709.  This calendar has been in use for centuries far longer than the Gregorian calendar we are familiar with.  The Chinese calendar is a combination of lunar and solar movements.  The lunar cycle is 29.5 days.  The Chinese insert an extra month every seven years in a nineteen year cycle.  This is similar to leap year when the extra day is inserted into February.  This is the reason why the Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year. 

The Year of the Dragon occurs fifth in the cycle following the year of the rabbit and comes every twelfth year.  The dragon is a creature of myth and legend and a symbol of good fortune and intense power.  People born in the Dragon year are to be honored and respected.  The Dragon personality is one of authority.  The dragon is a free spirt of the Zodiac and must be free and uninhibited.  A beautiful creature, colorful and flamboyant, it is thought to be innovative, enterprising, flexible, brave and passionate.  A Dragon can also be conceited, sometimes tactless and quick tempered.

The Chinese New Year lasts fifteen days starting on the New Moon of the first day of the year and ending on the Full Moon fifteen days later.  The fifteenth day is called the Lantern Festival celebrated at night with children carrying lanterns lit in a parade.

The New Year is celebrated as a famiy affair, a time of reunion and thanksgiving.  It was traditionally celebrated with a religious ceremony in honor of Heaven and Earth, the gods of the house and famiy ancestors.  Particular homage is paid to the ancestors with special foods prepared and a atable set in honor of them.

Chinese New Year is celebrated with large amounts of traditional foods prepared for family, friends and ancestors.  The abundance of food was to represent the abundance and wealth oof the household.  On New Years Day they will eat Jai, a vegetarian dish made primarily of root or fibrous vegetables.  Some will attribute superstitious significance to these roots.  A whole fish is served representing togetherness and abundance along with a chicken to represent prosperity.  The chicken must be served with head, tail and feet to symbolize completeness.  Noodles should be uncut to represent long life.