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It was the 14th of February!!!

Chinese Astrology: Animals Of The Chinese Zodiac!

Each Chinese New Year is linked to one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac.

The following slides will help you figure out which is your Chinese zodiac animal and discover what famous people also share your sign.

NOTE: Since the Chinese New Year is determined by the Lunar calendar, the last day of the Chinese New Year is not December 31st and the first day of the year is not January 1st. The New Year usually begins between January 21st and February 20th. If you have a birthday that occurs in January or February, please consult a Chinese zodiac calculator to figure out your sign.

There are endless variations of the folklore story explaining how the order of the animals of the zodiac were chosen. Below is a popular telling of tale:

When it came time for the Jade Emperor in heaven to decide the order of the zodiac, he invited all the animals to participate in a race. The order of the zodiac would be decided by the order in which animals finished the race.

When the competition started, the ox was leading the pack, but the rat jumped on his back. Since the rat was so light and small, the ox did not realize that the rat was hitching a ride. As the ox approached the finish line, the rat leap off his back and was crowned as the first animal to complete the race.

After all the creatures finished the race, the order was finalized: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.

According to legend, those born in a particular year of an animal are said to possess particular character traits associated with that animal.

 

The Rat

Years: 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020

Positive Character Traits: Charming and ambitious

Negative Character Traits: Short-tempered and sometimes sneaky

Most Compatible with: Dragon, Monkey, Ox

Famous People Who Have This Sign: Ugly Betty star America Ferrera, dancer Gene Kelly, chefs Mario Batali and Julia Child, actors David Duchovny and Hugh Grant

 

The Ox

Years: 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021

Positive Character Traits: Dependable, trust-worthy, patient

Negative Character Traits: Stubborn, hot-tempered in an argument

Most Compatible with: Snake, Rooster, Rat

Famous People Who Have This Sign: Actor Adrien Brody, President Gerald Ford, singer Melissa Etheridge, New Orleans Saints football player Reggie Bush, actress Keira Knightley, model Tyra Banks

 

The Tiger

Years: 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022

Positive Character Traits: Caring, thoughtful, courageous

Negative Character Traits: Rebellious against authority, makes hasty decisions

Most Compatible with: Horse, Dragon, Dog

Famous People Who Have This Sign: Actress/director Jodie Foster, actor Tom Cruise, biologist Jonas Salk, singer Alanis Morisette

 

The Rabbit

Years: 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011

Positive Character Traits: Kind, gentle, naturally lucky, even-tempered

Negative Character Traits: Overly sentimental

Most Compatible with: Sheep, Pig, Dog

Famous People Who Have This Sign: Playwritght Arthur Miller, hairdresser Vidal Sassoon, actresses Lisa Kudrow, Drew Barrymore, and Angelina Jolie, soccer star David Beckham

 

The Dragon

Years: 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012

Positive Character Traits: Intelligent, enthusiastic, brave

Negative Character Traits: Easily tricked, likes to gossip

Most Compatible with: Rat, Snake, Monkey, Rooster

Famous People Who Have This Sign: Authors Roald Dahl and Amy Tan, musician Ringo Starr, actor Russell Crowe, actress Reese Witherspoon

 

The Snake

Years: 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013

Positive Character Traits: Romantic, wise, strong intuition

Negative Character Traits: Vain, stingy when it comes to money

Most Compatible with: Ox and Rooster

Famous People Who Have This Sign: Musician Dizzy Gillespie, tv and radio personality Dick Clark, author J.K. Rowling, actress Sarah Jessica Parker, actor Charlie Sheen

 

The Horse

Years: 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014

Positive Character Traits: Hardworking, cheerful, popular

Negative Character Traits: Rarely listens to advice, can be a chatterbox

Most Compatible with: Tigers, Dogs, Sheep

Famous People Who Have This Sign: Politician Nelson Mandela, singer Aretha Franklin, Grey’s Anatomy actress Katherine Heigl, actress Halle Berry, actor Kiefer Sutherland, action star Jackie Chan

 

The Goat (Ram or Sheep)

Years: 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015

Positive Character Traits: Elegant, artistic, compassionate

Negative Character Traits: First to complain about something, pessimistic

Most Compatible with: Rabbit, Pig, Horse

Famous People Who Have This Sign: Singer Nat King Cole, musician Yo-Yo Ma, actress Nicole Kidman, actor/comedian Will Ferrell, author Toni Morrison

 

The Monkey

Years: 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016

Positive Character Traits: Witty, inventive, good memory

Negative Character Traits: Gets discouraged easily if faced with difficulties, can be distrustful of others

Most Compatible with: Dragon and Rat

Famous People Who Have This Sign: Author John Updike, singer Diana Ross, actresses Naomi Watts and Lucy Liu, actors Will Smith and Ryan Gosling

 

The Rooster

Years: 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017

Positive Character Traits: Deep thinker, confident, determined

Negative Character Traits: Can be a bit of a loner, can be very outspoken

Most Compatible with: Ox, Snake, Dragon

Famous People Who Have This Sign: Comedian Rodney Dangerfield, TV personality Larry King, singer Gloria Estefan, actresses Cate Blanchett and Natalie Portman, actor Jack Black

 

The Dog

Years: 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018

Positive Character Traits: Loyal, honest, can keep a secret

Negative Character Traits: Sharp tongue, hard on others

Most Compatible with: Horse, Tiger, Rabbit

Famous People Who Have This Sign: Singer/actress Judy Garland, fashion designer Giorgio Armani, actresses Michelle Pfeiffer and Kirsten Dunst, actor Matt Damon

 

The Pig (or Boar)

Years: 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019

Positive Character Traits: Tolerant, determined, kind to loved ones

Negative Character Traits: Can be a bit materialistic, overly trusting

Most Compatible with: Rabbits and Sheep

Famous People Who Have This Sign: Politician Henry Kissinger, country singer Loretta Lynn, House star Hugh Laurie, actor Ewan McGregor, cyclist Lance Armstrong, pop star Carrie Underwood

Source: http://holidays.slides.kaboose.com/118-animals-of-the-chinese-zodiac

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You might need to use tools that require adult supervision, such as glue gun and scissors. If so, these can be replaced by textile glue and safety scissors. Make sure you ask your parents some help.

Make this pretty Chinese fan is made from construction paper and paint stamps. It will make a great accent to your Chinese New Year celebration! 

What you’ll need:

• 3 sheets red construction paper
• Decorative foam stamps (we chose a swirl and an orange slice)
• Gold acrylic paint
• Paint brush
• Glue stick
• 2 gold chenille stems
• 1 red chenille stem
• 2 gold jumbo craft sticks (optional)

How to make it:

1. Decorate the red paper with gold painted foam stamps. We chose a swirl design as well as an orange. Oranges are symbolic of wealth in Chinese culture. Paint the foam stamps with gold paint and press onto the paper. Let dry completely. (Picture #1)
2. Use a glue stick to attach all three decorated sheets together, end to end lengthwise.
3. Fold red paper accordion style, making the pleats about 1″ wide. (Picture #2)
4. Gather all the pleats together and then hold firmly at one end. (Picture #3)
5. Wrap chenille stems around the end that you are holding to form the handle. Begin with gold chenille, then add red, and finish with gold.  (Picture #4)
6. This step is optional, but if you prefer a longer handle, you can insert two jumbo craft sticks up inside the gathered handle. Squeeze a little glue into the opening to secure the sticks. Let dry. You can also paint the craft sticks gold or red.

Tips:

1. The color red is very prominent in Chinese New Year symbols and decorations. It is believed that red will scare away evil spirits and drive away bad fortune.  
2. Gold represents prosperity.
3. Fans are a popular item in China dating back over 2,300 years!

Source: http://crafts.kaboose.com/chinese-new-year-fan.html 

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You might need to use tools that require adult supervision, such as glue gun and scissors. If so, these can be replaced by textile glue and safety scissors. Make sure you ask your parents some help.

Whether it’s celebrating the Year of the Tiger for Chinese New Year, or you just like tigers, this paper bag puppet is a fun craft for a dreary afternoon.

What you’ll need:

• Paper lunch bag
• Orange and black paint
• Black marker
• Black, white, and orange construction paper
• Gold paint pen
• Scissors
• 1 black chenille stem
• White craft glue
• Glue stick
• Pattern

How to make it:

1. Paint outside of paper bag with orange paint and let dry. (Picture #1)
2. On a piece of black construction paper, use the gold paint pen to draw 2 circles, about 1 inch in diameter. (Picture #2) 
3. Cut around the circles, leaving a border of black paper, cut each end out to a point to resemble the almond shape of an eye. Use the pattern for the eyes as a guide.
4. Dip the handle end of a paint brush into black paint and using a circular motion, at the round blacks of the eyes onto the gold. Let dry. (Picture #3)
5. When bag is dry, add tiger stripes around the bottom of the bag (the head) and down both sides. Add a nose and facial features as well. Use the pattern as inspiration for drawing on the face. Use black paint to fill in the stripes. (Picture #4)
6. While paint is drying, cut the ears and paws out of orange construction paper using the patterns. Color in the center of the ears with black marker. Use a glue stick to attach the ears to the back of the bag and the paws to the front.
7. Cut two teeth from white paper and use a glue stick to attach them beneath the flap.
8. Glue the eyes to the face using a glue stick.
9. Cut chenille stem in to four pieces and use white craft glue to attach two to each side of the face. Let dry. (Picture #5)

Tips:

1. Paint pens are available from your local craft supply store. 
2. If you prefer not to paint the bag, you can cover it with orange construction paper.
3. Colored party bags are available at party supply and discount department stores.

Picture #1:

Picture #2:

Picture #3:

Picture #4:

Picture #5:

 

Source: http://crafts.kaboose.com/tiger-paper-bag-puppet.html

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•No touching knives or the stove
•Do not touch any appliances without adult supervision.
•Always wash your hands before handling food.

It’s an excuse to use up all those leftover veggies at the end of the week. This easily adaptable Chinese stir-fry recipe takes into account all sorts of tastes and makes good use of whatever you happen to have on hand. 

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp. (30 mL) vegetable oil, divided
• 3/4 lb. (375 g) meat or alternate (choose one or more)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. (5 mL) grated fresh ginger root
• 4 cups (1 L) vegetable possibilities (choose at least three)
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) chicken, beef or vegetable broth
• 2 tbsp. (30 mL) soy sauce
• 2 tsp. (10 mL) cornstarch
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) extra bonus ingredient (choose one), optional

Meat or alternate:

• Boneless, skinless chicken, cut into strips
• Boneless beef stir-fry strips (flank steak, sirloin, top round)
• Boneless pork, cut into strips
• Raw peeled shrimp
• Firm tofu, cut into cubes

Vegetable possibilities:

• Green or red peppers, cut into strips
• Carrots, thinly sliced
• Broccoli, broken into florets (stems sliced)
• Zucchini, sliced
• Mushrooms, sliced
• Cabbage (regular or Chinese), sliced
• Bean sprouts, rinsed
• Celery, sliced
• Snow peas, cut in half

Extra bonus ingredients:

• Peanuts, coarsely chopped
• Cashews, whole
• Sesame seeds, toasted (don’t use more than 1 tbsp.)
• Crispy Chinese noodles

Cooking Instructions

1. Before you start cooking, arrange all your ingredients in bowls or on plates so that they’re ready to use. Once you begin cooking, it will all go very quickly; you won’t have time to chop or cut anything.
2. In a very large skillet or wok, heat 1 tbsp. (15 mL) of the vegetable oil over high heat. Add your meat choice and stir-fry for 3 or 4 minutes until just cooked through. The amount of time will depend a little on what you’re cooking. Remove to a bowl (but don’t use the bowl in which you had the raw meat unless you’ve washed it first).
3. Add remaining 1 tbsp. (15 mL) oil to the pan. Throw in onion, garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute. Now begin to add the vegetable possibilities to the pan, beginning with the ones that take the longest to cook (carrots, broccoli stems, etc.) and ending with the ones that cook most quickly (bean sprouts, snow peas). Cook, stirring and tossing for about 2 minutes, then pour in the broth, cover the pan with a lid and let everything steam for 2 or 3 minutes.
4. In a small bowl, stir together soy sauce and cornstarch.
5. When the vegetables are tender but still quite crisp, return the meat (or whatever) to the pan, stir and add the soy sauce mixture. Continue to stir-fry for 1 or 2 minutes or until the sauce is thickened and glossy. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle the top with the extra bonus ingredient, if you’re using one.
6. Serve immediately with hot cooked rice or noodles.

Source: http://recipes.kaboose.com/choose-your-own-adventure-stir-fry.html

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•No touching knives or the stove
•Do not touch any appliances without adult supervision.
•Always wash your hands before handling food.

Jazz up your cocktail spread with these delightful Chinese sweet and sour meatballs that are just bursting with flavor. They’re also great tossed in a Thai pasta for an Asian twist on spaghetti and meatballs. 

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 egg
• 1 cup dry bread crumbs
• 1 onion, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup brown sugar 
• 1/2 cup cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine beef, egg, bread crumbs, onion, salt and pepper. Roll into meatballs about 1 to 1-1/2 inches in diameter.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, saute the meatballs until browned on all sides.
3. In a separate medium bowl, mix together the water, brown sugar, vinegar, ketchup, cornstarch, and soy sauce. Pour over the meatballs, and allow sauce to thicken. Continue to heat until the sauce just starts to bubble.

Source: http://recipes.kaboose.com/sweet-and-sour-meatballs.html

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