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It’s Festival Time!

This week’s blog has been written by Mrs Rendall-Jones, Head of English as an Additional Language (EAL) at Bethany School. She writes about exploring the traditions, celebrations and significance of the Lunar New Year.

For many of the international pupils at Bethany School, especially those from China and Hong Kong, this week is the most important in the calendar as it is the time to celebrate Chinese New Year.

However, other nationalities, such as Hanseo from South Korea, also celebrate this festival and call it Lunar New Year. The term ‘Lunar New Year’ is increasingly used to refer to festivals in other countries that take place at the same time and with many of the same traditions as in China.

The tradition that our pupils, such as Karson, usually follow is spending time with family. Indeed at this time in China, South Korea and Malaysia there is a national holiday so lots of people travel back home to celebrate together. The celebration takes place over a number of days but the most important aspect of this festival, for our teenage pupils, is the giving of red envelopes which contain money. Tim and other pupils have assured me that they will be quite a bit richer after 29th January!

Another aspect of Lunar New Year is the eating of special food, Nick will be eating dumplings with his family. Not only are these delicious but they represent wealth, as do spring rolls. Noodles are also eaten but must not be cut as noodles represent longevity. 

 

This is the Year of the Snake. What does this mean?

Chinese New Year falls on the 29th January 2025 and marks the start of the Year of the Snake. The Chinese zodiac calendar is different from the Gregorian calendar in that it is a cycle of twelve years and each year is named after an animal. 

Similar to the zodiac signs, people believe the year you were born corresponds to the year of the animal and some believe you’ll share certain characteristics with that animal. For example, those born in the Year of the Rat are considered to be creative and resourceful. Snakes are sensitive, effective, and adaptable, positive personality traits often complemented by a considerable intelligence.  

 

Why are the zodiac signs animals? 

The story goes that a race was organised by the Jade Emperor – one of the most important gods in traditional Chinese religion – who invited all the animals in the world to take part.

Twelve species turned up at the start line: a pig, dog, rooster, monkey, sheep, horse, snake, dragon, rabbit, tiger, ox and rat.

As a reward for turning up, the Emperor named a year in the zodiac after each one, while the race would determine the order each animal would be placed.

 

Which animal are you? 

Each year is represented by one of 12 zodiac animals. Which animals make up the Chinese zodiacs? Check them out below and find out which animal you and your family are.  

  • Rat 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020  
  • Ox  1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021  
  • Tiger 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022  
  • Rabbit 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023  
  • Dragon 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024  
  • Snake 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025  
  • Horse 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 
  • Goat 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 
  • Monkey 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 
  • Rooster 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 
  • Dog 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 
  • Pig 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019  

 

For more information on the 12 zodiac animals and their characteristics, check out this website: Click here

 

If you want to wish ‘Happy New Year’ to Davey, from Beijing, you would say: Xin Nian Kuai Le and Gong Xi Fa Cai  (Mandarin) 

However, if you would like to say this to students such as Karen or Ryan from Hong Kong  it is: Sun Neen Fai Lo and Gong Hei Faat Coi (Cantonese)

This means Happy New Year and I hope you get rich!

Bethany joined in further with the festivities as an abundance of delicious Chinese delicacies were on offer for all pupils and staff.

The dining hall was decorated with bright red lanterns, gold accents and banners bearing messages of good fortune.

A special shout out to Bethany boarders Tim and Davey, who both did an incredible job in helping out catering staff in ensuring everyone enjoyed their delicious food.

For dessert, fortune cookies added an extra touch of fun and excitement to the celebration. Each cookie contained a thoughtful message or prediction for the year ahead, giving pupils a playful glimpse into the future. The fortune cookies were a hit, sparking conversations as everyone eagerly cracked them open to see what their fortune would be.

Our pupil librarians also had a great time creating Chinese lanterns for the library to celebrate Chinese New Year.

In addition to the lantern-making, there were other fun craft activities, and everyone had the chance to taste some seaweed. To top it off, each participant received a fortune cookie.

The celebration was a wonderful opportunity for pupils from different cultural backgrounds to learn about and appreciate the customs of Chinese New Year.

 

Mrs Rendall-Jones

Head of EAL

(English as an Additional Language)