Happy Chineae New Year 2003 Long time ago, there was a monster called Nian. It was born
to be very ugly and ferocious. On the first and the 15th of
each lunar month, the monster would come down from the
mountains to hunt people. People were very afraid of it and
locked themselves inside the houses early before sunset on
the days of its coming.
There lived an old wise man in a village. He thought it was
the panic in people that made the monster so bold and
furious. Thus the old man asked people to organize together
and to conquer the monster by means of beating drums and
gongs, burning bamboo, and lighting fireworks in purpose of
making large noises to threaten the hateful monster.
At a moonless and freezing cold night, the monster, Nian,
appeared again. The moment it opened its mouth at people,
burst out the frightening noises and fire made by villagers.
Wherever the monster went, it was faced with the terrible
noises.
The monster was forced around until it fell down with
exhaustion and was then killed. Savage as the monster was,
he lost in the end by the cooperation of the villagers.
Since then, people have kept the tradition by beating drums
and gongs, and lighting fireworks at the coldest day in
winter to drive the imagined monsters away and to celebrate
the victory over it. They also wear red clothes to scare the
monster.
Today, Nian refers to the New Year's day or the Spring
Festival. People often say Guo Nian, which means 'live the
festival.' Red becomes the color of joy.
On the first day of Chinese New Year, people usually have a
vegetarian diet, fearing that killing anything on the first
day of the New Year will bring bad luck. Good food will be
served on the next days.
Other than family get together and the parades of food, New
Year is also a good time for people to visit their friends
and relatives. People greet one another a happy New Year and
use auspicious words like 'Kung Hei Fat Choy' (wishing you
all the wealth in the coming year).
It is also traditional that children pay their respects to
the older generation at home by greeting them a happy and
healthy New Year first thing in the morning on the New Year
Day. Then the family will call and visits their relatives,
friends and business contacts, bringing them New Year
greetings and gifts.
Kids and employees got lots of "red envelopes" with money
inside :-)
It is yet another custom for the people to stay home on the
third day of the New Year festival, based on a superstitious
belief that it is a bad day to visit friends and relatives,
if one do so, there will only be quarrels and disagreements.
Therefore, people choose to go to the temple and make
offerings to the God instead, or simply conduct other ritual
ceremonies.
Other than the tradition mentioned above, there are also an
interesting list of superstitious believes during this
festival.
For instance, all debts must be paid by New Year Day and
nothing should be lent on this day, as anyone who does so
will be lending all the year. Everyone should refrain from
using foul language, bad and unlucky words, negative terms
and the word 'four' ("si" in Chinese), which sounds like the
word for death, are not to be uttered at all.
Death and dying are never mentioned and ghost stories are
taboo. References to the past year are also avoided as
everything should be turned toward the New Year and a new
beginning.
It is also believed that if you cry on New Year's day, you
will have a sorrowful coming year which will make you cry a
lot. Therefore, children are tolerated and are not punished
even when they are mischievous. I remember when I was a kid,
it's the most joyful time of the year for all my Chinese
friends as they could be as naughty as they wanted.
On New Year's Day, one is also not supposed to wash his hair
or clean the house, for fear that good luck will be washed
and swept away. On the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve,
every door in the house, including windows, must be opened
to allow the old year to go out.
This year's Chinese New Year starts on the first of
February. It is going to be the year of the Goat (or Ram or
Sheep). And this is the 4700th year of the Chinese calendar.
Kong Hei Fat Choi everyone :-)
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Happy New Year 2004
What is the largest ethnic group in the world? What language
is the most spoken? And which country has the largest
population?
Chinese, Chinese, China...
Chinese New Year 2004 starts on January 22, and the
celebration takes the whole week... actually fifteen days...
It ends with the Lantern Festival.
Traditionally, the New Year starts with the New Moon on the
first day of the lunar New Year and ends on the full moon 15
days later. So it falls on a different date every year.
Most of the time it's about eating good food, talking about
good things, and seeing relatives. If you know a Chinese
who owes you something, this is the best time to go ask for
it. They have to get rid of all debt to start the New Year
clean ;-)
The first day of the Lunar New Year is "the welcoming of the
gods of the heavens and earth". Many people eat vegetarian
food, as it is a good deed - prevent killing. (However, this
is the time of the year that duck, geese, chicken and pig
vendors make the most profits). Families visit their elders
on the third and fourth days, but it is forbidden to go out
on the fifth day because it is the day the God of Wealth
visits households. On the sixth to the tenth day, however,
are the days to go out and have fun. They also visit the
temples to pray for good fortune and health. The Chinese
are not really loyal to one single religion, so any Chinese
temple will serve the purpose fine.
After heavy parties at every house you get yourself invited,
the thirteenth day of the New Year is the day to take a rest
with lighter food... Just to be prepared for the Lantern
Festival on the Fifteenth night!
What a celebration, ha?
It is one of the most joyful times of the year for the
Chinese. They don't even work... And the Chinese are the
world's most famous diligent workers!
If you are invited or if you'd like to give something to
your Chinese friends...
Make sure your gift is colorful (and/or loud - as loud
noises scare the devils away). Red is the favorite color for
the New Year. Gold (gold chains, bracelets, figurines) is
not a bad gift to give. Oranges and tangerines are the most
popular fruits to give as the name of the fruits in Chinese
sounds the same as the word "lucky". Avoid tofu and bean
curds as they are white... a mourning color. Avoid from any
gift of pale colors. Do not wear white clothes to a Chinese
house either (especially when there is someone old or sick
with them).
What else?...
Kong Hey Fat Choi!
The famous San Francisco Chinese New Year parade
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Hong Kong New Year
Courtesy of News Canada
(Published in Small World Exine on 16 December 2003)
(NC)—Everyone loves a parade. From Carnival in Rio to Caribana in Toronto, colourful costumes and festive music will draw a crowd every time. They've discovered that in Hong Kong where visitors this year will be able to enjoy many more aspects of New Year Celebrations than just the Chinese New Year Parade.
Hong Kong is a unique destination in Asia and has remained so because of its incredible sophistication and rich cultural mix. This year, instead of focusing visitor attention on the parade, the entire 15-day New Year celebrations have been packaged - hotel rooms along with a variety of festival events including flower markets, fireworks, visiting temples and horse-racing. The parade itself has been given new significance by transforming it into the International Chinese New Year Night Parade.
New Year begins on the first day of the moon after the sun enters Aquarius - so in 2004 the Year of the Monkey begins on January 22. Crowds will line the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui to enjoy the spectacular creative lighting effects that will add to the dazzle of fanciful and elaborate costumes.
Performers from around the world - including Caribana - will take part in this spectacular opening to the most important Chinese festival of the year as East meets West on the magnificent Hong Kong waterfront. Visit www.Discover HongKong.com/Canada for more information.
After the fete comes the feast. Traditional New Year foods play an important role. Almost every dish carries a symbolic meaning, with names that sound like Chinese characters for good fortune, happiness, longevity and prosperity. Tangerines and oranges are given as gifts because their Chinese names sound like 'gold' and 'wealth'.
Discerning travellers believe this is the best time to visit Hong Kong. Festive events and fine dining are at their peak and the shopping is as great as ever! Feast your eyes, your soul and your appetite at Chinese New Year in Hong Kong.
- News Canada
