There are many stories describing the origin of the “dZi” (pronounced ZEE) bead. Some say they were not made by man rather created by the Gods and fell from heaven to earth. Whatever the source, they are commonly regarded by Tibetans and people around the Himalaya regions as a powerful lucky charm protecting the wearer from sickness and misfortune with many hidden secrets to be revealed at some auspicious time in the future. “dZi” beads became popular in the 90’s and peaked after a 1998 plane crash in Taiwan when the only survivors on the flight had worn “dZi”.

Today, old “dZi” beads are very valuable with Tibetans selling them for thousands of dollars. Local artisans, after painstaking “trial and error” have recreated processing techniques to produce what is referred to as the new “dZi” bead. These new “dZi” beads are much less expensive however retain the richness of color and distintive markings associated with original beads. Our centers in Hong Kong and the United States take pride in designing “dZi” jewelry using new "dZi" bead with complimentary materials of different types and colors to create beautiful jewelry. You will be pleased with the results.

Long Life.

The Chinese Lunar Calendar is the longest chronological record in history, dating from 2600BC, when the Emperor Huang Ti introduced the first cycle of the zodiac. Like the Western calendar, the Chinese Lunar Calendar is a yearly one, with the beginning of the lunar year based on the cycles of the moon. As a result of cyclical dating, the beginning of the year can fall anywhere between late January and the middle of February. A complete cycle takes 60 years with five cycles of 12 years each.

The Chinese Lunar Calendar named each of the twelve years after an animal. Legend has it that the Lord Buddha summoned all the animals to come to him before he departed from earth. Only twelve came to bid him farewell and as a reward he named a year after each one in the order they arrived. The Chinese believe the animal ruling the year in which a person is born has a profound influence on a person’s personality, thus the saying: "This is the animal that hides in your heart."

Celebrating the Lunar New Year

The celebration of the Chinese New Year is centuries old. It is popularly recognized as the Spring Festival with family celebrations lasting from the first day of the new Chinese New Year for 15 days. Preparations tend to begin a month from the first day of the Chinese New Year, when everyone begins buying presents, decoration materials, food and clothing for the coming celebration. A huge clean-up gets underway days before the New Year, when homes are cleaned from top to bottom, to sweep away bad luck. Doors and windowpanes are given a new coat of paint, usually red. The doors and windows are then decorated with paper cuts and couplets with themes of happiness, wealth and longevity. .

The eve of the New Year is the most exciting time, as anticipation creeps in. Here, traditions and rituals are very carefully observed in everything from food to clothing. Dinner is usually a feast of seafood and dumplings, signifying good wishes. Delicacies including pawns, for liveliness and happiness, dried oysters (or ho xi), for all things good, raw fish salad to bring good luck and prosperity, Fai-hai (Angel Hair) to bring prosperity, and dumplings boiled in water (Jiaozi) signifying a long-lost good wish for the family. It's usual to wear something red as this color wards off evil spirits. Black and white are not allowed, as these are associated with mourning. After dinner, the family usually spends the night playing cards, games or watching TV programs dedicated to the occasion. At midnight, the sky is lit up by fireworks.

On the day itself, an ancient custom called Hong Bao, meaning Red Packet, takes place. This involves married couples giving children and unmarried adults money in red envelopes. Then the family extends greetings from door to door, first to their relatives and then the neighbors. Like the Western saying "let bygones be bygones," at Chinese New Year, grudges are very easily cast aside.

The end of the New Year is marked by the Festival of Lanterns, which is a celebration with singing, dancing and lantern shows.

Although celebrations of the Chinese New Year vary, the underlying message is one of peace and happiness for family members and friends.