Lunar New Year (February 9-11): The Chinese New Year, and the two days following, are observed through much of Asia and wherever there are significant concentrations of Chinese population. These same dates are called "Tet" in Vietnam. This year we enter the Year of the Monkey.
The Lunar New Year is the most important holiday of the year for most Chinese families. Chinese New Year starts with the New Moon on the first day of the New Year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. Before New Year, it is customary to pay off debts, get new clothes and clean the house. Many people purchase flowers and orange trees (symbolizing good fortune). Firecrackers are lit on New Year's Eve to send out the old year and welcome the New Year. On the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, every door in the house, and even windows, has to be open to allow the old year to go out. Families gather together for a big family meal. The communal feast called "surrounding the stove" or weilu. It symbolizes family unity and honors the past and present generations. Departed relatives are remembered with great respect because they were responsible for laying the foundations for the fortune and glory of the family. Presents of cash are given in red envelopes (the color red is considered lucky).
The Legend of Nian – The New Year Monster
Nian in Chinese simply means 'year'. However, it is widely accepted that the origin of this word comes from the mythical monster that was thought to come and terrorise humans around the time of the New Year. Indeed, so fierce was Nian that it threatened to destroy mankind. The Emperor summoned a wise man to solve this problem. Seeing at first hand the destruction Nian brought, the wise man approached Nian with a challenge. "Why do you choose to kill and destroy the humans who are no match for your strength?" he asked. "Prove your real power by destroying the other monsters of the earth."
Nian took up this challenge, and one year later, having destroyed all the monsters of the earth, he returned to terrorise mankind. However, the day he returned some children were playing with firecrackers, and they noticed that Nian was afraid of the noise. From then on each New Year firecrackers and other fireworks are used to scare away the last remaining monster of the earth - Nian.
Valentine's Day (February 14): The history of Valentine's Day is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius imprisoned him. According to legend, Valentine sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure.