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Time of great festivity

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THE Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year is the most important traditiona­l holiday in China and an occasion of great festivity for the Chinese community all over the world.

It’s associated with many symbols, each of which has its own importance and significan­ce. Regional customs and traditions vary but on the same theme.

Since ancient times, Chinese people have been using the Chinese Zodiac animals to represent the years. Each lunar year is related to a zodiac animal, beginning at Chinese New Year.

The 12 zodiac animals recur on a 12-year cycle in the order of Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

Each zodiac has a rich legend, which forms the main philosophy in Chinese folk culture. In modern times, more and more people take the zodiac as the mascot of the Spring Festival.

Year 2022, on February 1, is the Year of the Tiger by the Chinese calendar. In Chinese culture, the tiger symbolises bravery and strength and people born in a year of the tiger are usually described as brave, competitiv­e, unpredicta­ble, and confident.

On the other hand, they are likely to be impetuous, irritable, overindulg­ed, and to boast to others.

The colour red is inseparabl­e from celebratio­n because it represents auspicious­ness, prosperity and festivity. During the Chinese New Year, people usually decorate their homes in red.

Shopping malls, supermarke­ts, enterprise­s and streets are also decorated with red “Fu” (good fortune) characters, couplets and red lanterns. Everywhere is red. In traditiona­l Chinese culture, red is an auspicious colour which can ward off evil spirits.

WHAT TO DO:

Cleaning before the Chinese New Year has been a custom in China since ancient times. Since the word “dust” is homophonic (sounds similar) to “old” in Chinese language, people hope they can drive away the bad luck or the old things through cleaning.

Pasting spring couplets: The spring festival couplet is a unique literary form in China. The red couplets are displayed on the door frames of every family.

Pasting the “Fu”: While pasting the spring festival couplets, people would paste all sizes of “Fu” characters on their doors, walls and lintels. The character “Fu” means good fortune or happiness, showing people’s yearning for the happy life and good wishes for the future.

Hanging lanterns: Before the Chinese New Year’s Eve, people would hang red lanterns symbolisin­g reunion to create a festive atmosphere. On the Eve, red lanterns are seen everywhere.

Setting off firecracke­rs: The first thing for Chinese families on the morning of the first day is to set off firecracke­rs, so as to ring out the old year and usher in the new. Setting off firecracke­rs can create a festive atmosphere and bring people joy and luck, but the dust and smoke released pollute the environmen­t and may start a fire. Now, many cities in China have banned fireworks

and firecracke­rs. The “cloud” fireworks and firecracke­rs are gaining popularity.

Reunion dinner: On New Year’s Eve, the family gather to enjoy a reunion dinner, watch the Spring Festival Gala and chat, waiting for the coming of a new year.

Visiting relatives and friends: On the first day of the Spring Festival, people get up early, dress in their most beautiful clothes and visit friends and relatives and say greetings like “Xinnián Kuàilè” (meaning: Happy New Year) for good luck in a new year.

Giving a red envelop with money: The red envelope is given from elders to juniors, showing their care for the juniors. It is believed that the lucky money can protect the juniors from evil things and help them spend a peaceful year.

Worshippin­g ancestors: The customs and forms of ancestor worship vary in China. Some worship the ancestral tombs in the field while others worship in the ancestral temples.

WHAT TO WEAR:

It is believed that wearing new clothes from head to toe symbolises a new start and fresh hopes for the New Year. Chinese usually wear red or other brightly-coloured clothes on New Year’s Day, to go with the festive and upbeat mood. Some families wear traditiona­l Chinese clothing. Many also put on red scarves for the sake of good luck.

WHAT TO EAT:

The food is the paramount necessity of the people, as the Chinese saying goes. People believe the traditiona­l food in the festival can bring them and their family good luck.

Many foods have auspicious meanings. For example, eating dumplings has the meaning of wealth and fortune; fish is homophonic with “surplus” in the Chinese language, symbolisin­g more luck, happiness and surplus year after year; glutinous rice cake ( known as “year high cake”) has the symbolic meaning of “life and work getting higher or better year after year”. It’s customary to eat a warm hot pot during the New Year, which can create a prosperous atmosphere. The Year of the Tiger 2022 will see the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games open. China is committed to present a streamline­d, safe and splendid Games to the world.

The official motto for Beijing 2022 is “Together for a Shared Future”. So let’s “add wings to the tiger” and act with the courage and strength of the tiger to overcome all obstacles. Wishing you a happy and prosperous Year of the Tiger.

 ?? | Supplied ?? THE Year of the Tiger starts on February 1.
| Supplied THE Year of the Tiger starts on February 1.

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