Today is the official start of the Chinese New Year this year. It’s based on the lunar calendar so it falls on a different date every year, anywhere from late January until mid-February. We were privileged to be a part of six celebrations in Taiwan. We saw incredible festivals decorated with a different animal every year which repeats itself every twelve years.
In Taipei(台北), the capital city of Taiwan, a city with a population over 2,000,000, people gather at the Chiang Kai-shek memorial during the holiday for fireworks, food and to check out the animal-shaped lantern displays. It is simply breath-taking! I remember being PACKED in the sea of people and I had to push and squeeze through the sea of people just to move a few feet! Then is started raining with nowhere to run! It is always a memorable experience.
In Taiwan, everyone would asked what year you were born so they can figure out what your zodiac sign is. They all have different characteristics. Which year were you born?| | 1924 | 1936 | 1948 | 1960 | 1972 | 1984 | 1996 | |
| | 1925 | 1937 | 1949 | 1961 | 1973 | 1985 | 1997 | |
| | 1926 | 1938 | 1950 | 1962 | 1974 | 1986 | 1998 | |
| | 1927 | 1939 | 1951 | 1963 | 1975 | 1987 | 1999 | |
| | 1928 | 1940 | 1952 | 1964 | 1976 | 1988 | 2000 | |
| | 1929 | 1941 | 1953 | 1965 | 1977 | 1989 | 2001 | |
| | 1930 | 1942 | 1954 | 1966 | 1978 | 1990 | 2002 | |
| | 1931 | 1943 | 1955 | 1967 | 1979 | 1991 | 2003 | |
| | 1932 | 1944 | 1956 | 1968 | 1980 | 1992 | 2004 | |
| | 1933 | 1945 | 1957 | 1969 | 1981 | 1993 | 2005 | |
| | 1934 | 1946 | 1958 | 1970 | 1982 | 1994 | 2006 | |
| | 1935 | 1947 | 1959 | 1971 | 1983 | 1995 | 2007 |
Check out this website for a detailed account on each animal’s characteristics. It’s fascinating!
Something still so enchanting to me is the tradition of placing red papers with written blessings on the top and sides of the front door. They do this to protect themselves from the “dragon” that comes during midnight of New Year’s Eve. Doesn’t that sound familiar to the story of the death angel in Egypt long, long ago?
God instructed the people of Israel to place the blood of a spotless lamb “and smear it on the sides and top of the door frames of the houses” and ”the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt.” You can read about it in Exodus 11-12.
We love the people of Taiwan and are so thrilled to be able to go back for a visit this month for a few weeks!
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