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新年快乐 – Xin Nian Kuai Le

Happy Chinese New Year

The celebration of the Lunar New Year in Asia is without a doubt the most important holiday of the year. In recognition of this, we wish everyone the happiest of New Years and hope the Year of the Tiger is a momentous one.

The House of BOVET 1822 has a long history, having been founded 200 years ago this year in three places: Fleurier, Switzerland; London, England; and Guangzhou, China. After huge success in China, BOVET went on to conquer the world, and today we are in over 80 countries.

BOVET was the first Swiss brand to use its Chinese name, 播喴, on its watches.
In fact, BOVET became so revered and well known in China, the Chinese name for Bovet was synonymous with “watch” in Chinese culture, similar to how Xerox became interchangeable for the word “copier.”

This year is the year of the Tiger, starting on February 1. The Lunar New Year celebration, also known as the Spring Festival, has existed in one form or another since the 14th century B.C., when the Shang Dynasty was in power in China.

Each year in the Lunar calendar is represented by one of 12 zodiac animals — the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Each zodiac year is accompanied by one of the five elements, water, metal, earth, fire or wood. If you were born in 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 2008 or 2010, you were born during the Year of the Tiger.

In addition to the animals, the Chinese Zodiac also cycles through five elemental types. So, this is not only the Year of the Tiger, it’s the year of the Water Tiger, an animal cycle that only comes around once every 60 years. The Tiger is the third in the line of Chinese astrological animals and is known for being confident, strong, brave, and ambitious. Many children wear hats or shoes with tiger images for good luck.

Lucky numbers this year include 1, 3, and 4, and lucky colors are gray, blue, white, and orange.

According to Chinese astrology, this will be a year of risk-taking, adventure, and enthusiasm. During this year, anything and everything is possible.

Chinese New Year Traditions

Clean and decorate your home

Before the Lunar New Year, people clean their homes thoroughly. Sweeping away the dirt symbolizes the sweeping away of bad luck from the past year, while making way for good luck. Red is often used in decorating and is considered a lucky color. Red lanterns are hung in streets, while red posters with auspicious sayings are taped on doors and walls.

Family reunion dinner

Like Christmas in other parts of the world, the Spring Festival is a time for family and feasting. Several generations of a family often sit at round tables and enjoy lots of special food and maybe some games, too.

Exchange gifts and red envelopes.

The red envelopes, or “hong bao” in Mandarin, are the most common gifts. These red envelopes contain money, and are often given to children or from older generations to the younger ones. Other popular gifts include alcohol, tea, fruit and candies.

Firecrackers and fireworks

Throughout Asia, people will set off firecrackers and fireworks to scare away evil spirits and welcome the arrival of the new year.

Lion and dragon dances

Lion and dragon dances are common in China and Chinatowns all over the world. They are performed for luck for the new year.

Happy Chinese New Year from the House of BOVET 1822.

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It is our pleasure to schedule a live personalized experience for you. Please choose your preferred date and time and a member of our team will contact you with a conferencing link.

Book your virtual appointment

It is our pleasure to schedule a live personalized experience for you. Please choose your preferred date and time and a member of our team will contact you with a conferencing link.

Book your virtual appointment

It is our pleasure to schedule a live personalized experience for you. Please choose your preferred date and time and a member of our team will contact you with a conferencing link.

Book your virtual appointment

It is our pleasure to schedule a live personalized experience for you. Please choose your preferred date and time and a member of our team will contact you with a conferencing link.