Posted by Chia-Yi in Chinese New Year | 0 Comments
The date of chinese new year changes every year
I am often asked why Chinese New Year is celebrated on a different date each year. In fact, Chinese New Year (one of the most important holidays for Chinese-speakers) is always celebrated on 1st January, but it is based on the lunar calendar (which is set by lunar phases and formerly based on agricultural cycles). In business, residents of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan have followed the Gregorian calendar (52 weeks) since 1949, but the traditional Chinese/lunar calendar still applies for traditional holidays.
Posted by Chia-Yi in Chinese New Year | 0 Comments
A tiger’s love!
It is a well-known fact that our world is more and more intertwined, and this year, the trend is confirmed through the combination of the “tiger” and “Cupid”. The 14th February 2010 is actually both Chinese New Year’s Day and St. Valentine’s Day!
In China, it is believed that if your baby is born on Chinese New Year’s Day, he will be as strong as a tiger and will bring you prosperity. In Chinese tradition, the tiger is energetic, adventurous, creative, generous and tireless… Promising for lovers! In business as in love, the tiger knows how to take risks, pursue success and avoid boredom! On 14th February 2010, put some tiger in your love life!
Posted by Chia-Yi in Marketing-Communications Asia, Marketing-Communications Japan | 0 Comments
Focus on Japan: Introduction
Do you know that in Japan, it is the women who offer chocolate to the men on St. Valentine’s Day?
This Western holiday made its first appearance in the 1950s. On this occasion, chocolates are not just given to the person whom you covet or love, which are called “honmei” chocolates (for true love), but it is also customary to offer “giri choco” (obligatory chocolates) to one’s bosses and colleagues at the office.
It is estimated that between 12-20% of annual chocolate sales are made during the St. Valentine’s period, confirming the popularity of this custom.
But in this society where reciprocating goes without saying, one month later on March 14, the roles are reversed. On “White Day”, a custom that was introduced in the 1970s, it is customary that men who received chocolates from women reciprocate the gesture to them.
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Orchimedia wishes you an excellent year of the Ox!
January 26 marks the start of the 2009 Chinese New Year. Determined by a lunisolar calendar, Chinese New Year’s Day (also known as Tet Festival in Vietnam and Seollal in Korea) differs from one year to the next. Millions of people over several days, in Asia and elsewhere, will celebrate this holiday, which is the year’s most important holiday. Although it differs from country to country, it usually includes purification rituals and ancestral cults, visits to family and parents as well as meals prepared specially for the occasion.
Every year is assigned a symbol according to a cycle of 12 years. This year is that of the Ox or Yi Chou 己丑, the second animal in the Chinese calendar. People born in the year of the Ox are known for being determined, organised and loyal to their loved ones.