My family always celebrate Lunar New Year (CNY) each year 🧨, when I was younger we would host it at my mom's hometown; we'll cook many food, play cards, chat with others and most importantly, giving and getting red pockets! We kids always love a good red pockets 🧧 (well cuz yk, it's free money). We don't do it as big as before anymore tho after my grandma died, now we only roast at night and exchange red pockets with out close families. It just been hitting me lately, now I'm almost the age to be giving out red pockets too, from before I'm the one that's been getting it 😭😭😭😭. Oh! Also when I was younger my teacher would show us videos about CNY! Usually it's about the Lore of CNY (and I like it sm cuz I'm a lore-whore lol). Like why people give kids red pockets, play loud music, stick red paper on their door and do the lion dance. It's all because they believe around this time every year a monster wake up, and the monster doesnt like the color red, loud things n the lion dance that they were doing 🤭. (Also in the early days, they dont fill the red pockets with money lol, it's just a symbolic, I'm glad now they do 😅)
My favourite (and only) memory of Lunar New Year is the time I spent the holiday in Hong Kong, a couple years ago. My aunt and uncle, live there and they showed us around and made sure we experienced everything the city had to offer during the most exciting time of the year. The streets were full of life - red and gold decorations everywhere, lanterns swaying in the sky, and markets packed with people buying all kinds of festive goodies. The best part was watching the fireworks over Victoria Harbour. It was one of the most magical things I have experienced in my life. The buildings lit up too with a light show and I realised how badly I want to celebrate this holiday every year. Spending that time with family, surrounded by so much energy and light, made it an experience I’ll never ever forget.
My favorite lunar year memory was when I found out what lunar year was THROUGH pimd🤣 Honestly I was never a forum person nor the latest announcement typa person who would give attention to the pop up that pops up when we open game, I remember searching about lunar year and finding out about the culture, It was super fun because my friend who celebrates Chinese year sent me alot of their traditions pictures and I also got to call them on lunar year! it was super fun and I enjoyed my time with them.It's now one of my favorite thing to look forward to celebrate with them!
So I used to be terrified of the lions during lunar new year (both the southern and northern lions). Like couldn’t look at them up close, but I loved the celebration. So during the lion dance my parents used to put me in the back of the van so I could watch from a distance. When I got older and I was able to use a camcorder, I found out that I wasn’t as scared of them if I looked at them through the lens. Didn’t matter that I was still just as close to them, as if I didn’t have the camcorder up to my eye, but since visually there was a distance I was okay with it 🤣. I finally got so excited when I could feed them the red envelope without wanting to run away. mind you I knew full well they were adults in the costume 🤣
I have not had the opportunity to experience Lunar New Year firsthand, but from a little research I have come to find that it is the longest and most important Chinese holiday and it is surrounded by legendary traditions, meals and festivities.The most interesting thing about the cuisine served is that it is customary for fish and dumplings to be served. These two dishes mean “prosperous.” Other dishes are served alongside it depending on personal preference.I think it would be wonderful to be a part of such a rich cultural holiday celebration.🐉