The Chinese New Year is the most significant calendar event for the peoples of China, Tibet, Korea, Bhutan, Mongolia and Vietnam. The New Year starts on some day between January 21 and February 20, the date being governed by a complex calculation involving the year's presiding animal zodiac, its earthly branch, a ten-year cycle of heavenly stems and an alternating ying-yang, making a cycle that repeats every 60 years. Although the year number is not specifically counted, the current year is numbered 4707, 4706, or 4646 depending on which year in the reign of Huangdi you accept as the starting date. Phew! By a coincidence, this coming year (2010) starts on our St Valentine's Day, so it's a happy date for everyone.

Chinese New Year is an official holiday in all countries that have a majority Chinese population and is given special significance in many that do not, such as Australia, in recognition of their large Chinese minority. The New Year festival starts on the first day of the year and ends 15 days later with the Lantern Festival. The overall festival is replete with popular themes of “happiness”, “wealth”, and “longevity”. It's an opportunity to reconcile, forgetting all grudges, and sincerely wish peace and happiness for everyone.

Find out more about the 2010 Chinese New Year.

COMPETITION!

To mark the Chinese New Year, The Galley Shop kindly gave away six pairs of Sambonet stainless steel chopsticks with matching rests. These high-quality Italian-made banqueting items grace any table. They are very special and most exquisite. The total value of this prize was over €100. The winner, Lise Davies, was drawn after the Chinese New Year from all the correct entries and was presented with the six pairs of chopsticks.

The Galley Shop is based on the Riviera and supplies the needs of yachts and villas for professional quality galley, service and barware. As well as an extensive online catalogue they provide a personal service and are available to help you by telephone, email or a personal visit.