Happy New Year Miss Piggy!

Chinese New Year is rapidly approaching, and Chinatown is hopping. This year, the new year kicks-off on February 5th and concludes on February 19th. This is the year of the pig. According to the Chinese zodiac, if you were born during the year of the pig, you are diligent, compassionate, and generous. Pig's achieve what they set their minds to and remain relatively calm when faced with calamity. Pig's are also a bit naive and easily tricked, but pigs tend to handle challenges with a cool head.

If you want to experience this amazing celebration, one of the premiere destinations is San Francisco's Chinatown.

Within Chinatown, there are two major thoroughfares. One is Grant Avenue, with the famous Dragon gate on the corner of Bush Street and Grant Avenue. The other, Stockton Street, presents an authentic Chinese look and feel, reminiscent of Hong Kong. The food markets that line the walkways offer a myriad of vivid colors that dazzle the eye. Dried and pickled fish, salted ducks, and whole hogs still steaming hot from the barbecue pits, are a few of the treats that can be purchased. Exotic fruits and vegetables of every color and shape imaginable are displayed next to seafood bins full of octopi and shark. Local vendors display bitter melons, fuzzy squash, winter melons, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, and lotus root. Freshly-cut flowers add to the vivid colors and tantalizing aromas, with its produce and fish markets, stores, and restaurants. Chinatown boasts smaller side streets and famed alleyways that also provide an authentic character. At the center of this community, residents of Chinatown gather in Portsmouth Square to play cards and Chinese board games, while others engage in conversation or practice the solemn art of Tai Chi. A replica of the Goddess of Democracy used in the Tiananmen Square protest was built in 1999 by Thomas Marsh, and stands in the square. Chinatown offers visitors the opportunity to view the art of the Pacific Rim and is the site of California's first newspaper.

The rich Chinese traditions are best reflected during the celebration of the Chinese New Year, which, according to the lunar calendar, occurs on the first day of the new moon after the sun enters the sign of Aquarius, between January 20th and February 20th. New Year's Day is celebrated quietly and reverently among family members. On New Year’s Eve, children stay awake to wish their parents a happy New Year and, in return, the children receive "ly see", or lucky money, stuffed in red envelopes.

According to ancient tradition, the New Year begins when the Kitchen God returns to heaven to report on the activities of the family during the year. In order to ensure a favorable report, families will cleanse the Kitchen God's shrine and smear a little bit of honey on the idol of the Kitchen God to ensure a "sweet" report. In order to start the New Year off in the best way possible, families clean and refurbish their homes, purchase new furnishings, and buy or sew new clothes. Red is in everyone's new wardrobe because it symbolizes happiness and love. Couplets are written on red pieces of paper professing good luck, happiness, and prosperity, and are either hung from the walls or placed on top of platters of colorful oranges and tangerines. Visitors are offered candied coconut strips, lotus seeds, small red melon seeds, and crystallized ginger in a symbolic gesture of "adding sweetness" to their lives.

In addition, everyone is mindful to speak only positive words on New Year’s Day because anything that is said or done is symbolic of the year to come. Chinatown celebrates the lunar New Year with a two-week long celebration. According to Chinese tradition, certain flowers and fruits are believed to bring good luck and prosperity during the lunar New Year period. The fragrant aroma of peach blossoms, narcissus, orchids, snap dragons, and chrysanthemums waft through the air and become entangled with the delicate smells of peaches, oranges, and tangerines. During this fair, traditional Chinese opera and classical dance are featured during the day, while at night a spectacular parade of Chinese lanterns weaves its way through the streets. The New Year celebration continues with the famous Chinese New Year Parade. This spectacular parade features a grand array of fierce lions, a block-long Golden Dragon, pounding drums, firecrackers exploding in the streets, and

ornate floats with elaborately costumed performers. The New Year festivities conclude with the Chinatown Street Fair. This fair features Chinese acrobats, giant puppets, stilt walking, classical dance and music, toy demonstrations, lantern and kite making, and lion dancing. Chinese cooking demonstrations, as well as art and calligraphy exhibits are also featured during this fair. The rich heritage of Chinatown is in the spotlight during the New Year, which is a wonderful time to experience the marvelous traditions of this community. Several of the practices witnessed during this celebration date back to ancient China. The mysteries of the orient are evident throughout Chinatown, and the allure of the Far East make it a popular attraction among the most discerning traveler.