Celebrating Chinese New Year with Broward County Libraries
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Chinese horoscope
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The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the longest and one of the most important Chinese holidays celebrated during the year. In Chinese astrology, there are 12 animal signs assigned by year; 2013 is the Year of the Snake.
The Year of the Snake is meant for steady progress, attention to detail, focus and discipline. The Snake is the sixth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, and is the most enigmatic, intuitive, introspective, refined and collected of the signs. People born in the Year of the Snake are said to be thoughtful, wise, rational and mysterious as well as attractive and money-minded, quite a total package (yes, we’re looking at you, super-serpent Brad Pitt). Ancient Chinese wisdom also says a snake in the house is a good omen because it means that your family will not starve. (Whether this is folklore or an invitation to enjoy a bite of cobra fillet is up to interpretation.)
In general, the year 2013 will be a time of optimism and enthusiasm for new innovations and progress – the perfect time to visit your library for Year of the Snake celebrations, classes, movies, books and more.
Say It In Chinese
The most common Chinese ways of saying Happy New Year are Gong Xi Fa Cai (Mandarin) and Gong Hay Fat Choy (Cantonese). Even though the pronunciations are a little different, both are written the same way in Chinese characters. Interested in learning how to speak more Chinese? Check out Broward County Library’s online language resources, which offer free language classes to anyone with a Broward County Library card. You can select from four different programs.
Broward County Library also has an extensive collection of books and resources in Chinese in a wide variety of genres including fiction, bestsellers, nonfiction, children’s books and more. Browse our catalog or visit your local Broward County Library location and ask a reference librarian for assistance.
Free Classes in Feng Shui
Feng shui is an ancient Chinese art designed to help you improve your life personally and professionally. The Chinese believe that your environment has a large effect on you mentally and your physical well-being. When you are unbalanced in your life, you open yourself up to negative emotions and illness. However, when you are balanced in your life, you open yourself up to greater wealth and health. Much of what is utilized in feng shui is interior decorating designed to align your home or office with the various elements of the universe and create harmony in your life based upon your specific personal requirements. Take a free online course in feng shui at www.broward.org/library - all you need to enroll for this non-credit class is your Broward County Library card number and the phone number that is attached to it. While you’re there, check out the hundreds of other free classes available.
Celebrate Chinese New Year with Broward County Libraries
February 5 – Chinese New Year Celebration: Kids and tweens literary adventures, book talk, reading aloud and craft, ages 6-11, from 5 to 5:45 p.m., Hollywood Library
February 6 – Gung Hay Fat Choy! Celebrate Chinese New Year, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Jan Moran Collier City Learning Library
February 9 – Chinese New Year Craft; visit the Youth Services area from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Imperial Point Library
February 9 – Chinese Lion Dance followed by Paper Folding by the Coral Springs Chinese Cultural Association, from 2 to 3 p.m., Northwest Regional Library
February 11 – Winners of the “Name the Dragon” Contest will be announced, from 2:30 to 3 p.m., Cyber-Commons, 1st floor, Main Library
February 16 – Chinese Paper Folding, ages 5-11, from 2 to 3 p.m., North Regional/Broward College Library
| Books & Resources on Chinese New Year, Astrology & Culture @ BCL: |