Confucius says: read this and you will be wise.

Determining the day of Chinese New Year - which has been celebrated on its current schedule since the Qin Dynasty (221 BC-206 BC) - is a little complicated, but as a rule of thumb, it usually falls between the 21st of January and the 20th of February (on the second or third new moon after the winter solstice, which is on the 21st or 22nd of December).

Twelve animals make up the 12-year cycle of the Chinese Zodiac, and 2008 is the year of the Rat. Not unlike modern astrological signs, the animal under which one is born shapes them (allegedly). Those born in the year of the Rat are charming, hardworking, selfish and obstinate (allegedly).

Chinese New Year celebrations take place over 15 days, with various food and family traditions tied to specific days. Traditions related to the first day include visits to elder family members, married couples give cash in red envelopes (the traditional way to give cash gifts) to kids and teenagers in the family, fireworks and firecrackers and performances by dancers in lion costume (see image).

Courtesy of Wikipedia, here are a few things to do - and to avoid - in the next 15 days:

For Good Luck

• Opening windows and/or doors is considered to bring in the good luck of the new year.
• Switching on the lights for the night is considered good luck to 'scare away' ghosts and spirits of misfortune that may compromise the luck and fortune of the new year.
• Sweets are eaten to ensure the consumer a "sweet" year.
• It is important to have the house completely clean from top to bottom before New Year's Day for good luck in the coming year. (however, as explained below, cleaning the house after New Year's Day is frowned upon)
• Some believe that what happens on the first day of the new year reflects the rest of the year to come. Asians will often gamble at the beginning of the year, hoping to get luck and prosperity.
• Wearing a new pair of slippers that is bought before the new year, because it means to step on the people who gossip about you.
• The night before the new year, bathe yourself in pomelo leaves and some say that you will be healthy for the rest of the new year.

For Bad Luck

• Buying a pair of shoes is considered bad luck amongst some Chinese. The word "shoes" is a homophone for the word for "rough" in Cantonese, or "evil" in Mandarin.
• Buying a pair of pants is considered bad luck. The word "pants"(kù) is a homophone for the word for "bitter"(kŭ) in Cantonese. (Although some perceive it to be positive, as the word 'pants'(fu) in Cantonese is also a homophone for the word for "wealth".)
• Washing your hair is also considered to be washing away one's own luck (although modern hygienic concerns take precedence over this tradition)
• Sweeping the floor is usually forbidden on the first day, as it will sweep away the good fortune and luck for the new year.
• Talking about death is inappropriate for the first few days of Chinese New Year, as it is considered inauspicious as well.
• Buying books is bad luck because the word for "book" is a homonym to the word "lose".
• Avoid clothes in black and white, as black is a symbol of bad luck, and white is a traditional funeral colour.

And finally, six silly Confucius jokes.

• Man who cut self while shaving, lose face.
• Man trapped in pantry have ass in jam.
• Man who sneezes without tissue takes matters in his own hands.
• Wise man never play leapfrog with unicorn.
• Man who walk in middle of road get run over by bus.
• Man who crosses the ocean twice without washing is a dirty double crosser.

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