Chinese New Year is indeed a series
of celebration that involves a number of rituals. The first ritual observed
in the celebration is spring-cleaning, which is giving a refreshing change
to the home by making it clean. This is accompanied by worshipping the
kitchen god, paying homage to the ancestors and merrymaking with the near
and dear ones.
Chinese New Year is also an occasion to witness some extraordinary display of fireworks. It is believed that bursting of crackers can chase away the mythical monster, Nian, which once terrorized the people of China. Lion dance is also one of the most revered traditions of the festivities.
On the eve of the Chinese New Year, a combined family dinner is served in the brightly lit houses. The serving of a sticky-sweet pudding called nian gao, made out of glutinous rice, a specialty of the southern part of China, is an interesting aspect of the New Year celebration. The northern Chinese enjoys a delicacy of the steamed dumpling popularly known as jiaozi to mark the celebration of the festival. Food in some of the cases also holds significant meanings for the Chinese. Hence, a number of delicacies like prawns, dried oysters, raw fish salad and dumplings boiled in water-signifying liveliness and happiness, good things, good luck and prosperity, respectively are served during this festival.
The end of the 15-day celebration is marked by the ‘Lantern Festival1. Lighting of colourful lanterns in the houses and eating of traditional rice preparation are the main rituals of this day. The day is also marked by traditional folk songs, dance and lantern shows.
No matter what the festivities or rituals are followed, the core message that the Chinese New Year festival carries is that of peace, prosperity, happiness and brotherhood.
Prior to New Year's Day, Chinese
families decorate their living rooms with vases of pretty blossoms, platters
of oranges and tangerines and a candy tray with eight varieties of dried
sweet fruit. On walls and doors are poetic couplets, happy wishes written
on red paper. These messages sound better than the typical fortune cookie
messages. For instance, "May you enjoy continuous good health" and "May
the Star of Happiness, the Star of Wealth and the Star of Longevity shine
on you" are especially positive couplets.
Plants and Flowers
Every traditional Chinese household should also have live blooming plants to symbolize rebirth and new growth. Flowers are believed to be symbolic of wealth and high positions in one's career. Lucky is the home with a plant that blooms on New Year's Day, for that foretells a year of prosperity. In more elaborate settings, plum blossoms just starting to bloom are arranged with bamboo and pine sprigs, the grouping symbolizing friends & the plum blossom also signifies reliability and perseverance; the bamboo is known for its compatibility, its utility and its flexible stems for furniture and other articles; the evergreen pine evokes longevity and steadiness. Other highly prized flowers are the pussy willow, azalea, peony and water lily or narcissus.
The Chinese firmly believe that without flowers, there would be no formation of any fruits. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to have flowers and floral decorations.
They are the emblems of reawakening
of nature, they are also intimately connected with superstition and with
the wish for happiness during the ensuing year.
Oranges and Tangerines
Etiquette dictates that you must bring a bag of oranges and tangerines and enclose a lai see when visiting family or friends anytime during the two-week long Chinese New Year celebration. Tangerines with leaves intact assure that one's relationship with the other remains secure. For newlyweds, this represents the branching of the couple into a family with many children. Oranges and tangerines are symbols for abundant happiness.
The candy tray arranged in either a circle or octagon is called "The Tray of Togetherness" and has a dazzling array of candy to start the New Year sweetly. After taking several pieces of candy from the tray, adults places a red envelope (lai see) on the center compartment of the tray. Each item represents some kind of good fortune.
Candied melon - growth and good
health
Red melon seed - dyed red to
symbolize
joy, happiness, truth and sincerity
Lychee nut - strong family relationships
Kumquat - prosperity (gold)
Coconut - togetherness
Peanuts - long life
Longnan - many good sons
Lotus seed - many children
| My new
year celebration has been ongoing now for several weeks, and tonight I
begin the lantern festival. I do not go through all of the rituals,
as I cannot find some of the things I need and keep trying to remember
each year that I want to make a dragon costume for two children to fit
into, so that the true majick of the festival can come to life in the meadow!
The Drake has brought several flowering plants home to me. First, a red Cyclamen, which is a common plant to find in the grocer's florist section. Then, to remind us all that the wisdom, health, growth and nurturing that we need is often unseen -- a bulb plant. This year it is a yellow tulip, one of my favorite flowers. Next he will bring home a white Azalea, to balance the yin and yang. (Azalea plants love acidic soil.) I have made the special rice pudding and will be working on a three bowl feast, in the manner of Zen monks. Since I am vegetarian, I can't really enjoy my favorite feast, dim sum... Denver finally got a great dim sum restaurant but not one that caters to vegetarians. I am trying to learn to make my own. I will light the candles in the two Black Metal Chinese lanterns that hang outside our door through out the year, where a happy Buddha sits on the deck. I have pop pops, but dear Reba the Basset is quite afraid of such noises, so we will see if they will be used this year. I have tried my best at the calligraphy so venerated in the history of the Chinese arts, and each year make a new "poem" (I am the only one who can read it. Something special about that, eh?) Now for a few more things to share from special sites around the web. Oh yes, I do have the candied fruits and the oranges to take to the neighbors on Thursday, but most special are the sweet treats for the deer (who now walk up to me for their apple) and the horses that live next door in the stables that have a house near them, where my dear friends Jodi and Ted live. Gong Hoi Fat Choy was the way I learned to say it, in PinYin of course. Any way it sounds, may the New Year bring us all the peace and joy this little planet needs so much... love,
lisbeth ( '?
|
Rituals
The entire house should be cleaned before New Year's Day. On New Year's Eve, all brooms, brushes, dusters, dust pans and other cleaning equipment are put away. Sweeping or dusting should not be done on New Year's Day for fear that good fortune will be swept away. After New Year's Day, the floors may be swept. Beginning at the door, the dust and rubbish are swept to the middle of the parlor, then placed in the corners and not taken or thrown out until the fifth day. At no time should the rubbish in the corners be trampled upon. In sweeping, there is a superstition that if you sweep the dirt out over the threshold, you will sweep one of the family away. Also, to sweep the dust and dirt out of your house by the front entrance is to sweep away the good fortune of the family; it must always be swept inwards and then carried out, then no harm will follow. All dirt and rubbish must be taken out the back door.
Bringing
In the New Year and Expelling the Old
Shooting off firecrackers on New Year's Eve is the Chinese way of sending out the old year and welcoming in the New Year. On the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, every door in the house, and even windows, have to be open to allow the old year to go out.
New Year Activities Set Precedent
All debts had to paid by this time. Nothing should be lent on this day, as anyone who does so will be lending all the year. Back when tinder and flint were used, no one would lend them on this day or give a light to others.
Everyone should refrain from using foul language and bad or unlucky words. Negative terms and the word "four" (Ssu), which sounds like the word for death, are not to be uttered. Death and dying are never mentioned and ghost stories are totally taboo. References to the past year are also avoided as everything should be turned toward the New Year and a new beginning.
If you cry on New Year's day,
you will cry all through the year. Therefore, children are tolerated and
are not spanked, even though they are mischievous.
Personal Appearance and Cleanliness
On New Year's Day, we are
not suppose to wash our hair because it would mean we would have washed
away good luck for the New Year. Red clothing is preferred during this
festive occasion. Red is considered a bright, happy color, sure to bring
the wearer a sunny and bright future. It is believed that appearance and
attitude during New Year's sets the tone for the rest of the year. Children
and unmarried friends, as well as close relatives are given lai see, little
red envelopes with crisp one dollar bills inserted, for good fortune.
More New Year Superstitions
For those most superstitious, before leaving the house to call on others, the Almanac should be consulted to find the best time to leave the home and the direction which is most auspicious to head out.
The first person one meets and the first words heard are significant as to what the fortunes would be for the entire year. It is a lucky sign to see or hear songbirds or red-colored birds or swallows.
It is considered unlucky to greet anyone in their bedroom so that is why everyone, even the sick, should get dressed and sit in the living room.
Do not use knives or scissors on New Year's Day as this may cut off fortune.
While many Chinese people today
may not believe in these do's and don'ts, these traditions and customs
are still practiced. These traditions and customs are kept because most
families realize that it is these very traditions, whether believed or
not, that provide continuity with the past and provide the family with
an identity.
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