Once again it is upon us, in a few weeks we will be celebrating Lunar New Year! It is also commonly known as the Chinese New Year around the world. In fact, this age old custom is celebrated in many south-east asian countries; for example, Tet in Vietnam, Tsagaan Sar in Mongolia, Shogatsu in Japan and Seollal in Korea. February 8th marks the start of the lunar new year and the beginning of the year of the monkey. ??? The Chinese Zodiac is a 12 year cycle that moulds the lives of many Asians throughout the world. It reminds us of the age old traditions that were passed down from father to son, mother to daughter and from generation to generation. What zodiac sign you are is believed by some to be the most quintessential part of a human being and as such compatibility with another person's zodiac often determined when one can be buried, the person that they can married and even where they can be buried. In the very beginning, Lunar New Year represented a time of celebration and festivities because it marked the end of the winter and the start of the new harvest season. In fact, it is the most important day of most South-Eastern Asian families' calendar. Often, weeks of planning are needed so that strict cultural and religious customs are met. In the days leading up to Lunar New Year work is reduced so you can mentally and physically prepare yourself for the new year. Here are some of the customs that my family religiously undertake, let me know what you do. Pre-new years eve. Clean, Clean and CLEAN Dust is an ancient metaphor for dirty and by dirty I mean bad luck. Therefore, two days before Chinese New Year my mum would clean every corner and wall of our house (twice)! Once we've cleaned the house we decorate it as many red things as we can. Red cut outs of special words like 'luck' and 'happiness' are stuck to walls and doors to hopefully bring those emotions into the house for the coming year. The colour red is very special because it signifies fire, life and energy. It is the colour of luck and fortune, goodwill and happiness. Then new clothes would be bought if not done already. The theory goes that new year means new stuff - a symbol of wealth and status because only the rich could afford new stuff. New years eve We spend the day together as a family, visiting people who we can visit and drinking tea and light food with people at home. Then on the strike of midnight we all clap and cheer and light fire crackers! New years day New years day is funny. Tradition goes, what you do on New Years day is what you will be doing all year. Very few people leave their house on new years day and only certain conversations are meant to be had. No one talks about debt, death or work. No one cooks and no one cleans, you don't want to 'chop' or 'sweep' away all your good fortune. Traditionally, the Lunar New Year concludes on the 15th day at the conclusion of the lunar festival. An important custom that is still very much an important part of the festivities is the giving of red envelopes. These envelopes contain money and are given to young children, unmarried people and your parents. Red as you know symbolises luck and well everyone likes money. Where possible and even amount is given because odd amounts are given at funerals. As a proud Vietnamese, I would like to wish each of you folks on PIMD a very happy, prosperous and wonderful Lunar New Year with the people that you love and care for. Don't worry if you're not Asian, come celebrate it with us. On Feb 8th, all you need to say is a simple 'Happy New Year' and you will most likely get a friendly reply. If you're feeling bold you can say it in the person's traditional language. Chuc Mung Nam Moi (Vietnamese) Gong Xi Fai Cai (Mandarin) Kung Hey Fat Choy (Cantonese) Saehae Bokmani Badeuseyo (Korean) Akemashite Omedetō Gozaimasu (Japanese) Gong Xi Fai Cai, Hong Bao Na Lai! Happy Chinese New Year everyone! Jsay
Yeyuh getting those red envelopes and bank filled ?? February come faster plz Nice thread tho. Informative ????
O yas understood everything but the first character ? improvements & shh donut mention my edits ? secret secret
Awesome thread! Love the information that comes with it. I'm a Chinese guy living in South East Asia so I'm familiar with some of the traditions although for us, we just wear red, have a banquet or something and get our ang pao