Ethnic Technologies Celebrates Year of the Rat
South Hackensack, NJ – January 25, 2020 – February 8, 2020 will mark the beginning of The Year of the Rat, the Asian Lunar New Year, one of the largest and most festive celebrations for the Asian American Community. The Year of the Rat lasts until February 11, 2021.
Celebrated by Asian American groups including Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean Americans, the Lunar New Year is an event where family and friends come together to wish each other happiness and pay respect to ancestors. Traditionally, the festivities start 22 days prior to the New Year and continue for 15 days afterwards. The Lunar New Year is represented by a cycle of 12 years, each denoted by a different animal.
This year, the Year of the Rat, is the first animal in the Chinese horoscope. According to Chinese astrology, people born in the Year of the Rat ( 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020) are quick-witted, sensitive, and kind.
The Lunar New Year is celebrated with loved ones, lots of food, drums and gongs. Family members and friends gather at each other’s homes for visits to share large meals and gifts, as a sign of fortune. Families also visit temples for prayer and luck. According to tradition, Chinese and Vietnamese give children “red-envelopes” with good luck money for the New Year and Koreans offer newly minted money as a symbol of auspicious and fortuitous beginnings. Business people in the Asian communities also celebrate the holiday with colleagues and employees. During this celebration decorations are also significant. Red and gold are the primary colors as they symbolize good fortune.
Here are some fun Year of the Rat Facts:
Year of the Rat: January 25, 2020 – February 11, 2021
Who Celebrates: Chinese-Americans, Vietnamese-Americans, Korean-Americans
Lunar New Year Translation: “Chuen Jie” (Spring Festival) in Chinese, “Tet Nguyen Dan” in Vietnamese and “Sol” in Korean
Animal Symbol: Rat
Rat Years: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Famous People Born in Year of the Rat: Richard Nixon, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Rosa Parks, George H. W. Bush, Eminem, Marlon Brando, Prince Harry, Scarlett Johansson, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mark Zuckerberg, Ozzy Osbourne, Samuel L. Jackson, Khloé Kardashian, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Tim Cook, Katy Perry, Bono, Wilt Chamberlain, Haruki Murakami, RuPaul
The Rat is: intelligent, optimistic, honest, resourceful, creative, charming, independent
Best Careers for Those Born In the Year of the Rat: writer, artist, researcher, musician, engineer, architect, accountant, charity work
About the Rat: According to Chinese myth, the order of the zodiac was determined by which animals arrived first to answer the call of the Jade Emperor, by having to cross a river. The Rat, not being a good swimmer, convinced the Ox to give it a ride across the river. When approaching the Heavenly Gate, the Rat jumped off of the Ox’s back and obtained the first place. Some retellings of the myth include a 13th animal, the Cat, who was unable to complete the race after being tricked by the Rat, and swore to chase the Rat for eternity.
“Happy New Year:”
– in Chinese (Cantonese): Gong Hay Fat Choy (Wishing you get rich)
– in Chinese (Mandarin): Xiànnián kuàilè (Happy New Year)
– in Vietnamese: Chuc Mung Nam Moi (Happy New Year)
– in Korean: Sae Hae Bok Man Ie Ba Due Se Yo (In the New Year, (may you) receive much luck)
Next Lunar New Year: Year of the Ox, beginning February 12, 2021
