Happy New Year!
Based on the lunar calendar, the Chinese new year begins with the new moon and continues until the full moon. This year it starts on February 18 and the celebrations continue until March 3. As the moon’s cycle begins anew every 12 years, the Chinese year is named for one of 12 animals. The cycle begins with the year of the rat, then continues on with the ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. This year is the year of the pig.
With the pattern of the new year in mind, the last 15 days of the old year (from the full moon to the new moon) is spent preparing for the celebration. A thorough cleaning of the house, a haircut, new clothes, paying debts and collecting what you are owed, and, of course, decorating the house and preparing a feast, are all done to prepare for the new year by sweeping out the old and bringing in the new.
A common phrase heard during Chinese New Year is “Gung Hay Fat Choy” (in Cantonese) or “Gong Hsi Fa T’sai” (in Mandarin). It means “best wishes for great wealth and prosperity in the new year.” The traditional lion dance, firecrackers, and lantern festival are all done with the purpose of warding off evil spirits and bringing good luck in the new year. For children, Chinese New Year wouldn’t be complete without receiving “Li-shih” or red envelopes from elders. Li-shih symbolizes prosperity and happiness.
Here are some decorating and gift-giving tips that signify great wishes for the new year.
Plants and flowers for decorating:
- Bamboo: Signifies flexibility
- Oranges: Signifies strength and perseverance
- Plum:Signifies strength
- Peony: Signifies wealth
- Pussy willow: Signifies prosperity for all
Food:
- Rice cake: Signifies good luck for the new year
- Fish: Signifies surplus
- Candied melon: Signifies wealth and good health
- Lotus Signifies: wealth
- Candied coconut: Signifies togetherness
- Watermelon seed: Signifies the wish for plenitude
- Whole chicken/duck: Signifies happiness
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM DAAN!!!
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