Today, you'll hear it called Chunjie, Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, and it's celebrated by more than 20 percent of the world.

It's the most important holiday in China and to Chinese people all over, and the most essential part of the celebration is the family reunion that creates the largest human migration in the world.

Since having children and passing down the family name is one of the most necessary parts of Chinese culture, some singles resort to hiring a fake boyfriend or girlfriend to take home. You can draw your own conclusions.

I just know that my wife would know exactly where to place the cherry bomb if I tried that.

Speaking of fireworks, according to legend, there was an ancient monster named Nian. It would come about every New Year's Eve. Most people would hide in their homes in fear. But one boy was brave enough to fight him off using firecrackers. The next day, people celebrated their survival by setting off even more firecrackers, and that practice has become a crucial part of the holiday.

2019 is the Year of the Pig. Lucky colors to wear are red, orange, pink and white, in their different shades, combined with points of blue and green. The Year of the Pig will be a good year to make money and will be protected by the zodiac forces of goodwill and peacefulness. Check with your favorite Chinese restaurant, since some of them have invitation-only parties for their regular customers.

Here's an idea for how you can spend Chinese New Year: start Tuesday morning at 11 a.m. by cheering on the world champion Patriots during their rolling duck boat parade in Boston. And then, head on over to Chinatown for some tasty food, and who knows, maybe you'll see some monsters and dragons in the streets being scared off by firecrackers.

Phil Paleologos is the host of the Phil Paleologos Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Contact him at phil@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @PhilPaleologos. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

 

 

 

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