Chinese New Year
The world's most populous country, China and many other countries where Chinese community live, celebrate the spectacular Chinese New Year as per the lunar calendar. I wish to take this opportunity to greet all my Chinese friends in different countries such as,
I would like to share with my other friends some of the useful information regarding this colorful and jubilant event every year. Please enjoy reading the following articles:
Lion vs. Dragon
No Lunar New Year would be complete without a lion or dragon dance. But what's the difference between the two?
Lion dances are accompanied by drums and cymbals. The lions are painted or sewn in bright colors, as the Chinese believe that bright colors attract more luck. It is also believed that lions ward off bad spirits, which is why they are figureheads of a dance.
As for the dance, the movements are considered a classic martial art, taking several years to perfect. Lion dancer Paolo Palo explained that the lion dance is very difficult, as one has to keep their eye on the footsteps and the hand movements in addition to being agile and flexible.
Ten people or more must lift the dragon. Its body is made up of heavy poles, paper, and fabric. Dragon dancer Lander Palo said of participating in the dance, “Maswerte kasi, lalo na't pinapasok ito sa temple. Nabibigyan ng blessing yung dragon, pati na rin yung humahawak.”
In Chinese culture, dragons are believed to be luck-bringers. Dy said that a dragon embodies auspiciousness, as it once symbolized the emperor. Merchants put up red envelopes when dragons pass by for good luck and good health for themselves and their families.
Temple matters
The New Year is typically greeted with an explosion of noise—usually fireworks or drum-beating. Chinese culture has it that noise wards away bad luck.
But some families opt for quieter methods, such as going to Buddhist temples and monasteries to pray and meditate.
People may offer flowers and incense or else drop coins at the small statues of the Enlightened Ones for luck all year round. Different offerings have different meanings:
Dishes take on an especial meaning at New Year's: they must be vegetarian, with no garlic, onions, chives or cilantro mixed in. Chef Joey Gayuma of Veggiezen explained that people who always eat those particular vegetables become hot-headed.
Meanwhile, round fruits bring in good luck, balance, and plentiness. The number you buy them in also counts for something: 8 is for everlasting luck, 12 is for the whole year, and 13 means your luck will spill over into another year.
Even drinks have a ritual attached. Drinking tea symbolizes cleansing the body and tempering the mind, thus ensuring a good disposition towards others.
References:
- Mainland China
- Taiwan
- Hong Kong
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- Indonesia
- Phillipines
- Thailand
- USA
I would like to share with my other friends some of the useful information regarding this colorful and jubilant event every year. Please enjoy reading the following articles:
Jan.
1 is not the only day people will be ringing in the new year. On
Thursday, China and other countries with large Chinese populations will
celebrate Chinese New Year. The holiday, also known as the Spring
Festival, is considered the most important social and economic festival
of the year in China.
The festival, which follows a lunisolar calendar, is celebrated on the first day of the first month in the Chinese calendar – the day of the second new moon after the winter solstice. It ends on 15th day of the first month, known as Lantern Festival. This year, Chinese New Year begins on Feb. 18 and ends on March 5.
Each year corresponds to one of 12 different zodiac signs and animals. This year confusion has set in over whether 2015 is the year of the goat or sheep. Both animals share the same Chinese character, the “yang,” which refers to any member of the caprinae subfamily -- goat or sheep. Researchers say the actual animal is beside the point, what remains important is the Chinese character and its meaning.
“Yang is a symbol of... blessing and fortune and represents good things," Yin Hubin, an ethnology researcher with the China Academy of Social Sciences, a government think tank, told Agence France-Presse. "It is connected to the original implication of the Chinese character as an ideogram and reflects the world view of the Chinese people in primitive times."
For those unfamiliar with Chinese New Year, below are three answers to common questions surrounding the popular festival.
1. Who Observes Chinese New Year?
As its name implies, Chinese New Year originated in China. The earliest known record of the holiday dates back to as early as the 14th century B.C. on oracle bones engraved with astronomical records.
At the time, the ancient Chinese calendar was static. It changed whenever a new emperor came to power and varied according to region. Today, the festival dates change according to the lunisolar Chinese calendar.
Countries with large Chinese populations including Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius and the Philippines -- also, Chinatowns in major cities worldwide celebrate Chinese New Year. San Francisco, which has a population that is nearly 20 percent Chinese, claims to have the largest Chinese New Year parade outside of Asia. This year organizers expect 1 million onlookers to attend.
2. How Is Chinese New Year Celebrated?
Chinese New Year traditionally has been linked to honoring household gods, heavenly gods and ancestors. Ritual sacrifices in the form of food and paper icons were offered to gods and ancestors. Messages promoting luck and good fortune were tacked up to doorposts, and firecrackers were set off to ward off evil spirits.
Today, festivities begin on New Year’s Eve (according to the Chinese calendar) when families clean their homes. When the holiday begins, however, dust and brooms are hidden so that “good luck cannot be swept away.” Fireworks, firecrackers, lanterns and red-paper cutouts are used as decorations during this time. Gifts are exchanged as well. Children typically receive red envelopes with money inside.
Families travel from near and far to celebrate the festival together. Food plays a central role. Sweet sticky rice cakes, known as Nian gao, savory dumplings and fish are popular dishes served over the holiday. Each is believed to bring good luck in the coming year.
3. What Predictions Are Held For The Year Of The Goat (Or Sheep)?
The year of the goat or sheep is one of the least preferred of the 12 zodiac signs. While fortune tellers predict relatively stable health throughout the year, love, wealth and career take major dips.
"It seems that in the year of the goat, China's economy [will] still have some growth, but maybe slow down compared to last year -- not so strong," Joseph Wong, a feng shui master and destiny consultant in Hong Kong, told CNNMoney, adding that he predicts the property market will fluctuate during the latter part of the year as well.
The year of the goat also holds bleak predictions for love and relationships. Feng shui master Chen Shuaifu told NBC News predicts that it will be hard to find new relationships and an unlucky year to have babies. This is one of the main reasons expectant mothers in China have been rushing to get C-sections ahead of the new year. Besides being stuck in the hospital during the holiday, mothers are worried that babies born in the year of the horse will have better luck than those born during the year of the goat. Still, those born in the new year -- including Prince William and Duchess Kate’s baby expected in April -- are believed to be gentle, mild-mannered and generous. Those born during the year of the goat are also believed to have fewer health problems than those born under different zodiac signs.
The festival, which follows a lunisolar calendar, is celebrated on the first day of the first month in the Chinese calendar – the day of the second new moon after the winter solstice. It ends on 15th day of the first month, known as Lantern Festival. This year, Chinese New Year begins on Feb. 18 and ends on March 5.
Each year corresponds to one of 12 different zodiac signs and animals. This year confusion has set in over whether 2015 is the year of the goat or sheep. Both animals share the same Chinese character, the “yang,” which refers to any member of the caprinae subfamily -- goat or sheep. Researchers say the actual animal is beside the point, what remains important is the Chinese character and its meaning.
“Yang is a symbol of... blessing and fortune and represents good things," Yin Hubin, an ethnology researcher with the China Academy of Social Sciences, a government think tank, told Agence France-Presse. "It is connected to the original implication of the Chinese character as an ideogram and reflects the world view of the Chinese people in primitive times."
For those unfamiliar with Chinese New Year, below are three answers to common questions surrounding the popular festival.
1. Who Observes Chinese New Year?
As its name implies, Chinese New Year originated in China. The earliest known record of the holiday dates back to as early as the 14th century B.C. on oracle bones engraved with astronomical records.
At the time, the ancient Chinese calendar was static. It changed whenever a new emperor came to power and varied according to region. Today, the festival dates change according to the lunisolar Chinese calendar.
Countries with large Chinese populations including Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius and the Philippines -- also, Chinatowns in major cities worldwide celebrate Chinese New Year. San Francisco, which has a population that is nearly 20 percent Chinese, claims to have the largest Chinese New Year parade outside of Asia. This year organizers expect 1 million onlookers to attend.
2. How Is Chinese New Year Celebrated?
Chinese New Year traditionally has been linked to honoring household gods, heavenly gods and ancestors. Ritual sacrifices in the form of food and paper icons were offered to gods and ancestors. Messages promoting luck and good fortune were tacked up to doorposts, and firecrackers were set off to ward off evil spirits.
Today, festivities begin on New Year’s Eve (according to the Chinese calendar) when families clean their homes. When the holiday begins, however, dust and brooms are hidden so that “good luck cannot be swept away.” Fireworks, firecrackers, lanterns and red-paper cutouts are used as decorations during this time. Gifts are exchanged as well. Children typically receive red envelopes with money inside.
Families travel from near and far to celebrate the festival together. Food plays a central role. Sweet sticky rice cakes, known as Nian gao, savory dumplings and fish are popular dishes served over the holiday. Each is believed to bring good luck in the coming year.
3. What Predictions Are Held For The Year Of The Goat (Or Sheep)?
The year of the goat or sheep is one of the least preferred of the 12 zodiac signs. While fortune tellers predict relatively stable health throughout the year, love, wealth and career take major dips.
"It seems that in the year of the goat, China's economy [will] still have some growth, but maybe slow down compared to last year -- not so strong," Joseph Wong, a feng shui master and destiny consultant in Hong Kong, told CNNMoney, adding that he predicts the property market will fluctuate during the latter part of the year as well.
The year of the goat also holds bleak predictions for love and relationships. Feng shui master Chen Shuaifu told NBC News predicts that it will be hard to find new relationships and an unlucky year to have babies. This is one of the main reasons expectant mothers in China have been rushing to get C-sections ahead of the new year. Besides being stuck in the hospital during the holiday, mothers are worried that babies born in the year of the horse will have better luck than those born during the year of the goat. Still, those born in the new year -- including Prince William and Duchess Kate’s baby expected in April -- are believed to be gentle, mild-mannered and generous. Those born during the year of the goat are also believed to have fewer health problems than those born under different zodiac signs.
Lion vs. Dragon
No Lunar New Year would be complete without a lion or dragon dance. But what's the difference between the two?
Lion dances are accompanied by drums and cymbals. The lions are painted or sewn in bright colors, as the Chinese believe that bright colors attract more luck. It is also believed that lions ward off bad spirits, which is why they are figureheads of a dance.
As for the dance, the movements are considered a classic martial art, taking several years to perfect. Lion dancer Paolo Palo explained that the lion dance is very difficult, as one has to keep their eye on the footsteps and the hand movements in addition to being agile and flexible.
Ten people or more must lift the dragon. Its body is made up of heavy poles, paper, and fabric. Dragon dancer Lander Palo said of participating in the dance, “Maswerte kasi, lalo na't pinapasok ito sa temple. Nabibigyan ng blessing yung dragon, pati na rin yung humahawak.”
In Chinese culture, dragons are believed to be luck-bringers. Dy said that a dragon embodies auspiciousness, as it once symbolized the emperor. Merchants put up red envelopes when dragons pass by for good luck and good health for themselves and their families.
Temple matters
The New Year is typically greeted with an explosion of noise—usually fireworks or drum-beating. Chinese culture has it that noise wards away bad luck.
But some families opt for quieter methods, such as going to Buddhist temples and monasteries to pray and meditate.
People may offer flowers and incense or else drop coins at the small statues of the Enlightened Ones for luck all year round. Different offerings have different meanings:
- Flowers: change, hope
- Misua and siopao: long life
- Fortune buns: bountiful year
Dishes take on an especial meaning at New Year's: they must be vegetarian, with no garlic, onions, chives or cilantro mixed in. Chef Joey Gayuma of Veggiezen explained that people who always eat those particular vegetables become hot-headed.
Meanwhile, round fruits bring in good luck, balance, and plentiness. The number you buy them in also counts for something: 8 is for everlasting luck, 12 is for the whole year, and 13 means your luck will spill over into another year.
Even drinks have a ritual attached. Drinking tea symbolizes cleansing the body and tempering the mind, thus ensuring a good disposition towards others.
References:
- http://www.ibtimes.com/chinese-new-year-2015-history-traditions-predictions-year-goat-1820554
- http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/441198/lifestyle/artandculture/kiong-hee-chinese-new-year-celebrations-traditions-in-metro-manila
No comments:
Post a Comment