2016 New Year of the Monkey

Dec. 18, 2015

MONKEY BE

Monday, Feb. 8 is the date to mark on your calendar if you plan to celebrate the Chinese New Year on the heels of the Western holiday Jan. 1.

While you will probably have to return to work on Monday, Jan. 4, most Chinese will get at least five days off to celebrate their New Year’s holiday. The Chinese New Year is aligned with the Chinese zodiac, with each of its 12 animal signs representing a year and running a 12-year cycle before repeating. 2016 is the year of the Monkey.

MONKEY DO

Each year has unique characteristics specific to its zodiac animal and people born under that year’s animal, much like Western astrology’s horoscope signs, are often assumed to have specific personality traits. 2016’s Monkey is said to be smart, quick-witted, a crafty opportunist and a fan of practical jokes and pranks, much like its animal counterpart.

Each Chinese zodiac sign also has certain “fits” where jobs and relationships are concerned. The Monkey’s best careers are said to be those involving money, such as banking, accounting and the stock market; they’re also cited as top candidates for air traffic control, science careers and salesmanship.

If you want a person born in a Monkey year to be your friend or more, you’ll have to be pretty quick-witted yourself; Monkeys are said to be easily bored and very sociable, so you’ll have to keep them busy and make sure you plan out lots of entertaining social activities.

MONKEY SEE

Something else Monkeys enjoy is celebrating, and there’s plenty of that happening around the Chinese New Year.

Wearing — and decorating with — red is a big part of the festivities, from red lanterns and fireworks to red clothing. Wearing all new red clothing is especially lucky, as it symbolizes a fresh and plentiful start to the new year. Red envelopes containing money are also given as gifts.

You’ll want to make sure you tidy your house before your Chinese New Year’s celebration starts, though; nobody cleans on New Year’s Day to prevent sweeping away the newly-arrived luck. Gather your friends and family for the traditional New Year’s photo and then it’s time for a Chinese New Year’s feast!

MONKEY EAT

Chinese tables are loaded with colorful and flavorful dishes for New Year’s celebrations, often with eight dishes served at a time, as this is considered a number of good fortune.

The dinner held on New Year’s Eve is called Reunion Dinner, or Nian Ye Fan, and is often considered the most important meal of the year, when several generations of family sit around the table together.

A wide variety of special dishes are served over the holiday, many presented for their symbolic meaning; for example, the Chinese word for fish sounds like the word for surplus, so eating fish is thought to bring extra money and luck in the new year.

Chinese dumplings, specialty meats and seafood, spring rolls, rice cakes, mandarin oranges, melon seeds, taro cakes and sweet rice balls are also popular New Year’s foods.

Depending on the community, New Year’s festivities can continue for two weeks — good news for Monkeys who like a lot of change and a lot of celebrating. Just don’t forget to tell them "X n Nián H o!" (Happy New Year!)

FUN FACTS ABOUT THE YEAR OF THE MONKEY

– If you were born in 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992 or 2004, you’re a Monkey! Those born in 2016 will also be Monkeys.

– The Monkey’s lucky flower is the chrysanthemum.

– The Monkey’s lucky colors are white, gold and blue (hey there, U of M fans).

– Monkeys should avoid the color pink and the number 2.

– The Monkey’s fixed element is metal, said to contribute to its vitality, determination and strong-willed nature.

– Celebrities born in a Monkey year include actors Will Smith and Tom Hanks; illusionists Harry Houdini and David Copperfield; cowgirl Annie Oakley; and singers Johnny Cash, Christina Aguilera, Nick Jonas and Diana Ross.