4710 Years of History: Happy Lunar New Year of the Water Dragon 2012
January 21st 2012 20:16
Guo Nian Hao:
Given that China has almost 5000 years of continuous history, it is little wonder that origins of some modern day customs are lost in the mists of history. Still, some of the myths and legends about those customs make for interesting story telling.
Nian is also the name of an ancient monster. The monster may not look like anything we would recognize today but it will suffice to call it a ferocious dragon. The dragon menaced the people and ate their crops and animals. A wise old man got the idea of using fire crackers and bright lights and bright colors to frighten the beast away. Since that worked, the Chinese people have been celebrating the chasing away of an evil creature with fireworks, bright colors and bright lights ever since.
Gong Xi Fa Cai (Mandarin)
Congratulations for getting through last year and great job beating up that monster Nian! Now go out and get rich!!!
Gong Hei Fat Choy (Cantonese)
Same as Gong Xi Fa Cai, except in Cantonese.
Wan Shi Ru Yi.
May things go as you wish.
Spring Festival
The Chinese Lunar New Year begins at the dark of the moon. The first part of the New Year’s party called the Spring Festival, and it lasts 14 days until the moon is full.
During the celebrations, lucky children might receive red envelopes. The envelopes will contain money.
As with many New Year’s celebrations around the world, food has a special place in the Chinese New Year. It is considered lucky to eat many helpings of a special dumpling during the feasting. Oranges are also considered lucky.
Since Chinese New Year is an old and venerable tradition, there are many customs associated with it. One is the frightening away of evil spirits with firecrackers and bright light and bright colors. Another is the welcoming of spirits associated with prosperity. There is one god in particular whom some call the kitchen God who is dispatched to heaven every year to give a good report on how the mortals are doing.
The 15 day party is a good time to reacquaint oneself with the family and to do all kinds of feasting and over indulgence.
The last part of the New Year’s festivities is the Lantern Festival. It is a festival of lights. In celebration of it people will hang many paper lanterns. Some of the lanterns may be adorned with riddles for the kids.
Later in the year there a celebration called the Dragon Boat Festival wherein teams race against each other in festively adorned boats.
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Year 4710: Happy Chinese Lunar New Year 2012. Gong Hei Fat Choy
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