Celebrating Chinese New Year and the Lantern Festival in London, 2009

The Chinese New Year started on January 26th 2009 beginning the Year of the Ox. The New Year is based upon the tracking of the new moon and hence the Chinese New Year varies from year to year.

Below is a chart showing the start date of the Chinese New Year and the animal sign for that year:

Year	Start Date	Zodiac Sign
2010	February 14th	Tiger
2011	February 3rd	Rabit
2012	January 23rd	Dragon
2013	February 10th	Snake
2014	January 31st	Horse
2015	February 19th	Sheep
2016	February 8th	Monkey
2017	January 28th	Rooster

Inspite of the many changes in the modern world and in China, the Chinese population located in the UK still value their age old traditions and customs.

The fourteenth night of the Chinese New Year is dedicated to preparing for the huge Flying or Sky Lantern festival that takes place on the fifteenth day. Celebratons, parades and festivals take place all across the country with huge parades and parties beginning in Trafalgar Square, London, at midday on the final day of the New Moon.

On Saturday 31st January 2009 Gerard Street in the heart of China Town, London, was adorned with red hanging lanterns whilst over 10,000 people visited in awe of the Lantern Festival. Londons festivites were great celebrations for Londoners and visitors alike.

Some of the lanterns were immaculate pieces of artwork covered in intricate images of birds, dragons, flowers, zodiac signs and even images from Chinese lanscapes and history. Many people carried the hanging lanterns of all sizes throughout the streets of London. Red hanging lanterns were particulalry popular with the Chinese as the colour red is set to ward off any bad spririts and bring good health and fortune to those displaying the colour.

The festival was an explosion of traditional dragon parades, dancers, martial arts, paper lantern workshops and of course, food tasting! Click here for Hanging Paper Lanterns