Cupertino DailyChinese New Year!
By Vicki Yang & photos by Jen Santoro
Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year is one of the most important Chinese holidays, it is a time to celebrate the upcoming year and prepare for a prosperous one. Often called Lunar New Year because it follows the lunar calendar, it varies each year on the Gregorian. This year, Chinese New Year falls on January 26th, as we welcome the Year of the Ox. It is a time of celebration and traditions, including new clothes, family gatherings, good food and fireworks.
The Myth is that Nian (or “Year” in Chinese) was a monster that would come terrorize and eat livestock and villagers on the first day of the year. Then the Chinese realized that if they put food out for Nian it helped keep them safe. They also noticed Nian was afraid of the color red and loud noises, so each year they would wear red and set off fireworks to scare him away.
Chinese New Year comes to 2009!
As a young child, I remember going back to Taiwan to spend Chinese New Year and it was wonderful! We would clean the house and get it ready as Chinese New Year was approaching. We didn’t clean the night before or the day of just in case we swept the luck out of the house. Then we’d hang up red lanterns and everyone would get new clothes for good luck and a new start. Children and unmarried juniors would receive money in a red envelop, this showed that the person giving was still able to give “wealth” and helped others start the New Year with some money. The children would get together outside to set off fireworks to scare away the bad spirits, bad luck, and monsters. Most families end the fireworks set with the loudest fireworks they had, so loud I had to plug my ears.
The best part of starting the New Year was the gathering of loved ones for a good meal – what can be better than family, friends and food! Traditionally fish is served as the main dish, along with dumplings because they resemble the money used in China, before bills and coins came along. Usually the next day we would take a quick visit to a temple to pay respects to our ancestors and pray for a good year. All of these traditions are there to bring luck, wealth and prosperity as we start out the New Year. So, Happy Chinese New Year and may the Year of the Ox bring you happiness and prosperity!
Tags: Chinese New Year
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