Kung Hei Fat Choi! Chinese New Year 2012

The Chinese New Year is one of the most grand and colorful feasts celebrated worldwide. It is not only celebrated inChinabut also in other countries where Chinese people are living today. The rest of the world is already taking part in Chinese New Year celebrations. This event is not only about welcoming the New Year but it also comes with a lot of beliefs about fortune and prosperity.

Chinese New Year Day is not set in one date. It usually happens between the dates January 21 and February 20, of each year. It begins with a new moon and ends with a full moon on day 15. It is gracefully finished by the Lantern Festival.

The Chinese people have a lot of beliefs that are followed during the Chinese New Year.

• Houses should be cleaned and tidied days before the Chinese New Year. This is symbolism of cleaning away the bad fortune that the past year had left in their households.

• Clothes worn when welcoming the New Year should be neat and tidy or new. This symbolizes a fresh new start for the people.

• Arguments and conflicts must be over and must be worked out. They believe that starting the New Year with fighting will bring bad fortune for the rest of the year.

• When welcoming the New Year, there should be firecrackers to shoo away evil spirits.

• Exchanging Chinese New Year cards and greetings.

The usual foods served during a typical Chinese New Year family dinner or Wei Lu are:

Nian gao - It is a traditional sticky rice pudding that is shaped round.The Nian Gao is believed to unite the family and bring the family good luck and sweetness for the rest of the year

Jai - It is a traditional vegetarian dish that is composed of root crops and fibrous vegetables.The ingredients not only nourish the body but also bring in good fortune and prosperity.

Red - Red is a lucky color for the Chinese. It brings good fortune, success, wealth, and prosperity.

Chinese Lanterns - Lanterns are not only decorations but they serve as light to guide good luck inside the homes. Lanterns are also paraded during the 15th day of the New Year to end the feast.

Blossoming Plants - Blossoming plants such as peonies symbolize growth and wealth to the Chinese.

Dragon Dance and Lion Dance - Both the dragon and the lion are powerful animals. The Dragon is believed to be the guardian of water. The Dragon dance is performed to prevent drought throughout the year. The Lion symbolizes strength and courage.

Hongbao - “Hongbao” are red money envelopes given to Chinese children during the Chinese New Year’s day.