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    Upper Canada and Hillcrest have partnered with the North Toronto Chinese Alliance Church to celebrate Lunar New Year, the Year of the Rabbit.

    On January 14, we invite you to visit Centre Court for our Lunar New Year Celebration which will include lantern making, balloon animals, a traditional lion dance and more! During your visit, be sure to check out your Lunar New Year zodiac sign using our immersive installation and snap a photo at our photo op.

    Please click HERE for more details about our celebration on January 14.

    The North Toronto Chinese Alliance Church (NTCAC)

    North Toronto Chinese Alliance Church (NTCAC) is a member church of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada. Currently, there are three separate adult Sunday services (Cantonese, English, and Mandarin) with a total attendance of over 500. The NTCAC has a dedicated pastoral staff team of 8 members serving in five ministry areas: Cantonese Ministry, English Ministry, Mandarin Ministry, Children’s Ministry, and Church Ministry.

    The NTCAC is located at 11221 Bayview Avenue Richmond Hill, Ontario, and all are welcome!

    North Toronto Chinese Alliance Church

    Traditional Lunar New Year Celebrations

    In-Centre Activities

    On January 14th from 11am-4pm, join us at Centre Court for Lunar New Year celebrations with the NTCAC. Visit 8 different booths to learn about Lunar New Year traditions including lantern making, balloon animals, riddles and much more! See below for details.

    1:00pm-1:30pm

    Listen to festive Lunar New Year music, enjoy a drum dance followed by a fashion show for the year of the Rabbit!

    2:45pm-3:30pm

    Enjoy an incredible lion dance with Chinese instruments, children poems and Lunar New Year Songs.

    Booths

    Balloon Twisting
    With 2023 being the year of the Rabbit, learn more about the definition of what lucky 吉 entails and get your own Tangerine balloon.

    DIY Lantern Making
    Chinese lanterns are hung to symbolize happiness and it’s believed they bring good fortune in the new year. Lanterns are one of the most iconic Chinese New Year decorations that you will see across the city.

    Face Painting
    Join us for Lunar New Year themed face painting. Choose from multiple designs and patterns.

    Make a Wish
    Make a wish and hang it on a tree! During Lunar New Year, many families will go to the temple to pray. Making a wish and hanging it on a tree is said to being goodness in the new year.

    Fai Chun
    Learn about the importance of Fai Chun and create your own! Fai Chun is a significant part of Lunar New Year and is applied in the doorways to create a jubilant festive atmosphere since the phrases written on it mean “good wishes” and “prosperity.”

    Polaroid Fun 
    Decorate using Fai Chun, Chinese Candy Box, lantern, balloons and polaroid photos.

    Lantern Riddle
    Lantern festival, also called Yuan Xiao Festival is a holiday celebrated in China and other Asian countries that honours deceased ancestors on the 15th day of the first month (Yuan) of the lunar calendar. The Lantern Festival aims to promote reconciliation, peace, and forgiveness. Enjoy listening to both English and Chinese riddles, and win a prize if you get it right!

    Candy Box
    What is a Chinese New Year Candy Box? This red container with 6-8 compartments filled with special treats signifies togetherness, joy and good luck. Try 5 different flavours of candy including Green Pomegranate,  Dark Seed, Red Seed, White Milk Candy and Golden Chocolate.

     

     

    Originated from ancient zoolatry and boasting a history of more than 2,000 years, the Chinese zodiac, known as Sheng Xiao or Shu Xiang, plays an essential role in Chinese culture.

    It features 12 animal signs in this order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig, and are not only used to represent years in China but also believed to influence people’s personalities, career, compatibility, marriage, and fortune. Each animal has its own natural features and living habits, which directly reflect the behaviors of people born in different years.

    Click on the animal sign that aligns with your birth year on the floor decal to discover what your animal tells you about yourself!

    Rat – (shǔ)

    Where there are people, there are rats. The rats have strong adaptability and survival ability. For people born in the Year of the Rat, they are vigorous and able to adapt themselves to different circumstances. Being smart and hardworking, they set clear goals in career and life, and have an indomitable will to realize them step by step. The cautious Rat people pay attention to thrift and savings. They generally live a stable and well-off life, and even better after middle age. They are wonderful friends and partners, for the cheerful and easygoing personalities make them good at livening the vibe in parties or other social places. Sometimes impulsive, but their good self-control ability always pulls them back in time.

    Strengths: adaptable, quick-witted, optimistic, considerate, versatile, outgoing
    Weaknesses: timid, stubborn, picky, lack of persistence, self-centered

    Best Matches: Ox, Dragon, Monkey
    Complementary Pairs: Rabbit, Dog, Pig
    Bad Matches: Horse, Rooster

    Career: The best jobs for Rat people include artist, author, doctor, teacher, lecturer, boat engineer, architect, fashion designer, and photographer. The skilled or creative occupations are suitable for them, and they can perform well in service industry, charity, and finance field.

    Ox – (niú)

    In agricultural society, the mild and tough ox is human’s best assistant. People born in the Year of the Ox are also diligent and persistent. They tend to be slow in action after a long and deliberate preparation, but once the plan is set, they will overcome all difficulties to finish the task. Their amazing endurance in work and strong sense of obligation compel them to break through and stick it out, making them highly praised by colleagues and the boss. This is the base for them being late bloomers, with successful career and abundant wealth in old age. The relationship with the Ox people is generally pleasant but may lack romance, for they are some stubborn and not good at communication and expressing emotions.

    Strengths: prudent, calm, strong-willed, persistent, industrious, honest
    Weaknesses: stubborn, overcautious, unsociable, clumsy of speech

    Best Matches: Rat, Snake, Rooster
    Complementary Pairs: Rabbit, Dog
    Bad Matches: Tiger, Dragon, Horse, Sheep

    Career: The best jobs for Ox people include lawyer, doctor, teacher, writer, government officer, policeman, technician, politician, and office clerk. They are good at stable jobs requiring specific expertise, especially those related to building materials field.

    Tiger – (hǔ)

    The tiger, being wild, bold and powerful, is the King of the Forest. People born in the Year of the Tiger are also endowed with natural leadership and dominant temperament. High self-esteem makes them independent and asocial. They like high positions with authority and the right of control. They are rule makers and would like to be the patron saint for common people. Being active and ambitious, Tiger people are tenacious in achieving their career goals. Sometimes they fail due to rash decisions, but facing difficulties, they will never give up. They are faithful to friends and have a strong sense of justice, but sometimes impatient and like to straightforwardly argue with others.

    Strengths: confident, courageous, steadfast, loyal, upright, trustworthy
    Weaknesses: arrogant, bossy, short-tempered, imprudent

    Best Matches: Dragon, Horse, Pig
    Complementary Pairs: Rooster, Dog
    Bad Matches: Ox, Tiger, Snake, Monkey

    Career: Economist, politician, adventurer, and management officer are best jobs for Tiger people. They are suitable to work for public service or in the catering industry, outdoor sports facilities field, or culture field.

    Rabbit – (tù)

    Docile, tender and quiet, the rabbit is no doubt a lovely animal. People born in the Year of the Rabbit have favorable personalities. They are smart moderators in a family to drive up the happy atmosphere. Not only filial to the elders, they are also model parents, strict but gentle and patient, giving proper education for their kids. Rabbit people are loyal and dedicated to their lovers, while for friends, they are kind-hearted, polite, and honest. They have a strong sense of responsibility and professionalism in work. There won’t be big ups and downs in the whole life of the Rabbit people. They progress in a steady pace, and can reach the career peak during their middle age.

    Strengths: gentle, considerate, cautious, friendly, virtuous, compassionate
    Weaknesses: irresolute, stubborn, timid, conservative, escapist

    Best Matches: Sheep, Monkey, Dog, Pig
    Complementary Pairs: Rat, Ox
    Bad Matches: Snake, Rooster

    Career: The ideal jobs for Rabbit people include farmer, breeder, teacher, priest, pharmacist, policeman, and judge. The occupations requiring sharp sense of art and carefulness are suitable for them. They could run a dessert shop, work in breeding or pet industry, or in a planning and design company.

    Dragon – (lóng)

    The dragon, a mythical creature in Chinese culture, is considered imperial, lucky, and almighty. People born in the Year of the Dragon are ambitious dreamers, seeking for adventures and romances all their life. They are super energetic and have strong fortune, especially before middle age. They have childish enthusiasm for their dreams and aims, brave enough, but when coming up with a setback, they are easy to turn to the opposite extreme, discouraged and never rise again. Strong, aggressive, and with fatal charm, they like to be the focus in social occasions. However, Dragon people are a bit unapproachable for they are short-tempered and always strict and even picky to others.

    Strengths: energetic, confident, ambitious, frank, romantic, intelligent, generous
    Weaknesses: unstable, unrealistic, self-conceited, intolerant, lack of persistence

    Best Matches: Rooster, Rat, Monkey
    Complementary Pairs: Tiger, Snake
    Bad Matches: Ox, Sheep, Dog

    Career: The language talent makes some of them nice writers or teachers, while the sense of business and money makes some good cashiers or financiers. Other suitable jobs for them include quality inspector, pharmacist, electrician, politician and priest.

    Snake – (shé)

    In most people’s impression, the snake is sly and dreadful; however in Chinese culture, the snake is also known as little dragon, so it contains a warm heart despite of its cold appearance. People born in the Year of the Snake are calm and indifferent to strangers, but passionate and lively when with long-time friends. Snake people are idealists. They have strong will and clear plans to reach their goals, but laziness is their only opponent. With good luck in wealth all their lifetime, they like to buy luxuries and spend much on dressing. Decent appearance makes them attractive, but they tend to be reluctant to start a relationship due to their suspicious mind.

    Strengths: sociable, graceful, eloquent, humorous, wise, perceptive, determined
    Weaknesses: unapproachable, jealous, suspicious, sly, inconstant

    Best Matches: Dragon, Rooster
    Complementary Pairs: Ox
    Bad Matches: Tiger, Rabbit, Snake, Sheep, Pig

    Career: Snake people could be good artists, singers, politicians, teachers, painters, designers, or psychologists. They are good at performing arts and entertainment work. Some of them might core an achievement in archaeological research.

    Horse – (mǎ)

    The horse is represented by the fire in Chinese culture, while in ancient Greek mythology, it is related to the sun god, all bright and fervent. People born in the Year of the Horse, zealous and easygoing, love social activities and have natural popularity among people. Active, cheerful and talkative, Horse people make a lot of friends. They have strong desire for self-expression and sometimes hard to take in others’ ideas. They are good at sports and have deft hands to learn various techniques. Their talents and indomitable spirit enable them to make a figure and get a little accomplishment in a very young age. The wealth fortune of the Horse people is pretty good, but they tend to enjoy luxury life without savings.

    Strengths: warm-hearted, upright, easygoing, positive, patient, steady, independent
    Weaknesses: extravagant, too outspoken, opinionated, inflexible

    Best Matches: Tiger, Sheep, Rabbit
    Complementary Pairs: Pig
    Bad Matches: Rat, Ox, Rooster, Horse

    Career: The best jobs for Horse people are adventurer, writer, architect, performer, entrepreneur, scientist, artist, politician, critic, and tour guide. They could get achievements in art, tourist, political or commercial fields. Charity work is also suitable for them.

    Sheep – (yáng)

    Like the mild and unaggressive sheep, people born in the Year of the Sheep are gentle and submissive. They are well dressed and gracefully behaved in public. Being softhearted and sympathetic, they are always glad to give to charities. With upright and warm characters, they are generous to help friends, giving both time and money, and in reward, there are always someone helping and protecting Sheep people in time. Shy and indecisive, they need strong-willed partners in their work and life. When in favorable circumstances, they could become brilliant artists or creative pioneers, while in adversity, they tend to be sensitive and pessimistic. They attach importance to family and the celebration of festivals and anniversaries.

    Strengths: gentle, softhearted, considerate, reliable, hardworking, thrift
    Weaknesses: indecisive, timid, pessimistic, moody, weak-willed

    Best Matches: Rabbit, Horse, Pig
    Complementary Pairs: Sheep, Monkey
    Bad Matches: Ox, Tiger, Dog

    Career: The suitable jobs for Sheep people include painter, musician, beautician, doctor, teacher, editor, writer, and house cleaner. They could have excellent performance in domestic service, medical, art, education, and publishing fields.

    Monkey – (hóu)

    Monkeys are close relatives of human beings. People born in the Year of the Monkey are smart, showing exceptional intelligence in school and later strong ability and enterprise in career. They will devote themselves wholeheartedly to the work they are interested in, while indifferent to things they don’t like. Monkey men could make a success in career, while Money women are impressive for their elegant and stylish looking. They would have a happy marriage, and pay great attention to family, being filial to their parents, and caring but a little doting for kids. For friends, they are sincere, frank, and always ready to help. With curiosity and love for adventure, they seek a free and easy life with continuous new discoveries.

    Strengths: intelligent, enthusiastic, self-assured, sociable, innovative, eloquent, adaptable
    Weaknesses: jealous, arrogant, lack patience and perseverance, opportunistic

    Best Matches: Ox, Rabbit
    Complementary Pairs: Rat, Dragon, Sheep, Dog
    Bad Matches: Tiger, Pig

    Career: Their suitable jobs include linguist, diplomat, journalist, entertainer, businessman, athlete, stockbroker, detective, lawyer, and programmer. The highly logical and challenging jobs are attractive for them, while fields that need eloquence are good choices.

    Rooster – (jī)

    The rooster crows before sunrise, so ancient Chinese people thought that it had a prediction ability. The Greek mythology also considered the rooster a creature the messenger of god knowing the future. People born in the Year of the Rooster is endowed with such prediction ability. They are prescient and farsighted, having clear plans. They have promising future, but sometimes quick-tempered and set improbable goals. With excellent social skills, they have sharp perspective into others’ minds. Their warmness and kindness make them popular. The Rooster people are keen on beatifying their appearance, and delicately dressed up in colors all the time. With great interest in traveling and adventure, they are active and energetic in life, and like to make jokes.

    Strengths: foresighted, ambitious, capable, quick-minded, confident, outgoing, independent
    Weaknesses: selfish, narrow-minded, impatient, critical, overconfident

    Best Matches: Ox, Snake
    Complementary Pairs: Tiger, Dragon
    Bad Matches: Rat, Rabbit, Horse, Rooster, Dog

    Career: Rooster people could be brilliant politicians, diplomats, or public speakers. Some could be influential scientists. Some perform well in clothing and cosmetics trade. Other suitable jobs for them include designer, beautician, tour guide, and actor / actress.

    Dog – (gǒu)

    The dogs are faithful friends of humans. People born in the Year of the Dog are also loyal and have a strong sense of justice. They like to help and serve for others, and care less about their own interests. They have clear minds but lack of expression ability, so sometimes they are thought to be conservative and even stubborn. Being pure and virtuous, they are wonderful friends, but it might need a long time to become good friends of Dog people for they are cautious and introvert. However, once the relationship is set, they are sincere and reliable. What they need are a peaceful life and a harmonious family.

    Strengths: righteous, brave, loyal, responsible, reliable, clever, quick-witted
    Weaknesses: impatient, conservative, stubborn, emotional

    Best Matches: Rabbit, Tiger
    Complementary Pairs: Rat, Monkey, Pig
    Bad Matches: Dragon, Sheep, Rooster

    Career: Dog people could be good lawyers, judges, organizers, teachers, doctors, civil servants, programmers, advertising planners, or bloggers. Beside traditional industries, they are more talented in self-media field for their outstanding planning ability and creativity.

    Pig – (zhū)

    Chinese people eat pork but consider pigs to be stupid. Actually the pigs are clever, so are the people born in the Year of the Pig. In work, they are active, careful, cool-headed, always concentrating their attention to fulfil the tasks. They have good luck in wealth, enjoy luxury, and like to indulge in rich life with great taste. Pig people are outgoing and warm-hearted, having a lot of friends. Facing difficulties, there would be many friends helping them out. Born innocent and romantic, they are easy to trust others, which makes them tend to fall into traps. When Pig people lose their temper sometimes, delicious food is the only cure.

    Strengths: warm-hearted, sincere, honest, optimistic, generous
    Weaknesses: sleepy, gullible, short-tempered, jealous

    Best Matches: Tiger, Rabbit, Sheep
    Complementary Pairs: Rat, Horse, Dog
    Bad Matches: Snake, Monkey

    Career: The best occupations for Pig people are veterinarian, breeder, forester, teacher, civil servant, policeman, doctor, professor, and artist. Agriculture and animal husbandry are suitable fields for them. Medical and art fields are also worth trying.

    Source: https://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/social_customs/zodiac/