Happy Chinese New Year! – 新年快乐 / 新年快樂

2017 Is a Fire Rooster Year

In Chinese astrology, each zodiac year is not just associated with an animal sign, but also one of five elements: Gold (Metal), Wood, Water, Fire, or Earth. Every 12 years there is a Rooster year, beginning at Chinese New Year. A year of the Rooster always comes after a Monkey year and before a Dog year.

Roosters are hardworking, resourceful, courageous, and talented.
Fire Roosters are Trustworthy, with a strong sense of timekeeping and responsibility at work

Rest Before a New Farming Year

Chinese New Year was set to coincide with the slack time just before a new year of farm work begins, as a time of preparation.
When most Chinese were farmers this made sense. Now 55% of China’s population is urban (a generation ago it was 25%), but 100+ million return to their rural roots for CNY.

Chinese traditionally celebrated the start of a new year of farm work, and wished/prayed for a good harvest. This has now evolved into celebrating the start of a new business year and wishing for profits and success in various vocations.