If you’re looking for a few more reasons to celebrate the New Year, settle in for a Lunar New Year celebration at home. February 12, 2021 marks this years Lunar New Year and a reason to renew all those 2021 goals, indulge in a little Chinese Astrology and add some new foods to our Disney Recipes lineup!
Lunar New Years at Disneyland Park
If Disneyland was open this year, chances are you’d be heading to the festivities in the park to get an up close and personal look at all the foods, fun and entertainment! But, since Disneyland is not open, we’re simply indulging in last years Disney Chinese Lunar New Year Foodie Guide and whipping up some magic of our own.
Things to Do for Lunar New Years
Lunar New Year in China actually covers 7 days. This year the celebrations run from Feb 11- Feb 17, 2021. And the holiday is an opportunity to be with loved ones and wish each other well for the coming year. So there are activities, games, gift exchanges, food and more that promote abundance in all forms. Well wishes for prosperity, longevity, good health, and progress are all on the docket for New Years.
Put Up Decorations
Anything Red and Gold will work! Both colors indicate riches and good luck. Paper lanterns, red animals, gold garlands, anything!
Have Dinner with your Family
The Lunar New Year “Family Reunion Dinner” is extra special and considered to be the most important meal of the year. So even if you have dinner with your family every night/ week/ month, make this one special. Choose traditional foods that are considered to be LUCKY. Here are some things to make for your Disney Chinese Lunar New Year at home.
- Fish: Increase prosperity
- Chinese Dumplings: Wealth
- Spring Rolls: Wealth
- Rice Cake: Higher Income or Position
- Sweet Rice Balls: Family Togetherness
- Longevity Noodles: Happiness & Longevity
- Good Fortune Fruit: Fullness & Wealth
Read more about the intricacies of eating Lucky Foods for Chinese New Year.
Set off Firecrackers, Fireworks, Sparklers and Lanterns
Such a tradition in Chinese culture, setting off fireworks is a national pastime, and starts the minute Chinese New Year arrives. If you’re looking for a little fireworks magic of your own you may be able to find festivities here in the US that celebrate with a fireworks display as well. We also love handheld sparklers to light up in the backyard for some nighttime magic. If you’re looking for a great way to ring in the New Year with some intentions then use paper lanterns that you can light and let go. This is a wonderful activity and is beautiful to watch
Give Red Envelopes filled with Money
Giving money is a surefire way to share your good fortune and receive it back ten fold! And of course it’s the through that counts and not the amount. So grab some red envelopes and share them at your family dinner, so that prosperity and good fortune can spread throughout the year!
Tea Time with Almond Cookies
One of our favorite ways to celebrate pretty much anything ( since you guys know we adore tea time) is to have a little tea. And no tea would be complete without a little snack. To honor the Chinese Lunar New Year we made Chinese Almond Cookies, which are super easy to whip up with a little almond flour and light enough to have any ‘ol time.
2021 is the Chinese Year of the Ox
Each year, which you can see on the chart below, corresponds to an important animal in Chinese culture. And every zodiac animal is affected by the overarching animal year. In this case a Metal Ox Year ” brings career advancement, success in business, prosperity, and wellness for all zodiac signs. The Ox year of 2021 is under the influence of the metal element, just like the Year of the Rat 2020. This year predicts new career opportunities, so don’t let anxiety or negative thinking affect you.” per thechineseszodiac.org
The Chinese Zodiac with Disney Characters
| Animal | Chinese Name | Disney Character | Year of Your Birth |
| Rat | Remy | 鼠 (shǔ) | 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032 |
| Ox | Babe the Blue Ox | 牛 (niú) | 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033 |
| Tiger | Tigger | 虎 (hǔ) | 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034 |
| Rabbit | Thumper | 兔 (tù) | 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035 |
| Dragon | Mushu | 龙 (lóng) | 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036 |
| Snake | Kaa | 蛇 (shé) | 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037 |
| Horse | Maximus | 马 (mǎ) | 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038 |
| Sheep | Jolly Holiday Lambs | 羊 (yáng) | 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039 |
| Monkey | Abu | 猴 (hóu) | 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040 |
| Rooster | Alan-A-Dale | 鸡 (jī) | 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041 |
| Dog | Pluto | 狗 (gǒu) | 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, 2042 |
| Pig | Hamm | 猪 (zhū) | 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043 |
Shanghai Disneyland Garden of Twelve Friends
As part of the Garden of Twelve Friends at Shanghai Disneyland you’ll find these characters associated with their Chinese counterparts. Check out your Birth Year to see which Chinese Zodiac you match and which Disney Character shares your personality.
Animal Characteristics in Chinese Astrology
Fans of astrology know the most fun part is learning more about yourself. Check out your Chinese Animal and your corresponding birth year above. And then find what your animal’s dominating personality traits are below.
- Rat: quick-witted, smart, charming, and persuasive
- Ox: patient, kind, stubborn, and conservative
- Tiger: authoritative, emotional, courageous, and intense
- Rabbit: popular, compassionate, and sincere
- Dragon: energetic, fearless, warm-hearted, and charismatic
- Snake: charming, gregarious, introverted, generous, and smart
- Horse: energetic, independent, impatient, and enjoy traveling
- Sheep: mild-mannered, shy, kind, and peace-loving
- Monkey: fun, energetic, and active
- Rooster: independent, practical, hard-working, and observant
- Dog: patient, diligent, generous, faithful, and kind
- Pig: loving, tolerant, honest, and appreciative of luxury
Disney Lunar New Year
Hopefully you’ve found lots of fun to help inspire your year in this post! Maybe you’re hoping to attend a Disney Lunar New Year Celebration of your very own! We enjoy this holiday every year, so will be sure to update this post as we find more amazing things to bake, cook and learn!
