On the Western calendar, the start of the Chinese New Year falls on Monday, 26 January 2009 — The Year of the Ox. The Chinese New Year is celebrated as the symbol of spring's celebration. In fact in China the Chinese New Year is still called the Spring festival. It is celebrated after the fall harvest and before the spring planting season.
According to Chinese astrology, 2009 is the Year of the Ox. Any recent setbacks or obstacles can be overcome, so look forward to a year in which to really shine, either personally or professionally. People born in ox years are natural leaders: calm, responsible, hard-working, and modest. Famous people born in the Year Of The Ox include US President Barack Obama, Napoleon, and Princess Diana.
At Chinese New Year, saying Happy New Year to our Chinese friends is not enough, we also share the following good wishes:
新年快樂！xīn nián kuài lè Happy New Year!
過年好！ ɡuò nián hǎo Happy New Year!
恭喜發財！ɡōnɡ xǐ fā cái I wish You Great Prosperity!
牛年吉祥！ niú nián jí xiáng Good Luck in the Year of the Ox!
