Chinese New Year (CNY) or also known as the spring festival is a time when Chinese clock the start of the New Lunar Calendar and it lasts for 15 days. Although it is already the 9th day of CNY today, but it is never too late to share what it is about this festival...
CNY was celebrated before the Qin Dynasty and it is believed that different dynasties have their own calendar to which CNY is celebrated - month 1 during the Xia Dynasty, month 12 during the Shang Dynasty and month 11 during the Zhou Dynasty. It is until then Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty established month 1 as the beginning of CNY. - Wikipedia
There is also a myth saying that there used to be a Man-Eating beast, 'Nian' who comes out to hunt for prey in every 12 months. It was a deadly beast and it caused a number of death. And so, human found out that 'Nian' is afraid of the colour Red and loud noises and that is when people spark firecrackers and wear red to scare off 'Nian'. From then on, Chinese wear red and celebrate this festive season with crackers to scare of evil spirits.
CNY as mentioned, is celebrated for 15 days. It all starts with :
CNY Eve - all family members gather around to have an annual family reunion dinner this day to mark the end of the year and usually there would be a praying procession to the 'God of Fortune' later in the evening
1st Day - this day, people are told not to wash their hair as it will wash their luck and fortune away, it is also a day where people abstain from consuming meat as it is believed that it ensures longevity. Families pay visit to the eldest member of the extended family.
2nd Day - it is a day when married daughters visit their own families, besides that, Chinese would also pray to their ancestors and the Gods. On this day, humans are also asked to treat dogs extra kind as it is believed that it is the day of the dogs.
3rd & 4th Day - it is believed that people shouldn't visit any of their families or friends as it is an inauspicious day to visit. But in modern days, people are less superstitious and wouldn't care much about what is said.
5th Day - on this day, people would pray to the 'God of Wealth' as it is the birthday of the God, it is known as 'Po Wu'
7th Day - the 7th day is known as the day of human or man's birthday, on this day people grows a year older, and there is a tradition saying that 'Yu Sheng', a special dish is eaten on this day for luck and prosperity, this dish is widely eaten in South East Asia such as my country, Malaysia
9th Day - it is the birthday of the Jade Emperor or God of Heaven, Hokkiens pray to this God as thanksgiving. Sugarcane is used when praying because it is believed that the cane saved the Hokkiens from exterminations ages ago.
13th Day - people are encouraged to consume simple food such as congee on this day after eating oily and rich food for the past few days of the CNY
15th Day(Chap Goh Mei) - it is the last day of the CNY and it is also known as the 'Valentine's Day' of the Chinese. Glutinous rice are eaten on this day for togetherness. On this day, females who are single and who is also looking for a life partner would take this opportunity to jot their personal details on mandarin oranges to throw into lakes and ponds while single men would net them up to contact the other party.
Things that Chinese would relate during CNY are :
Red Packets (money packets) - given by elders or married couples to unmarried singles, the amount given is usually even numbers as odd number is unlucky.
Mandarin Oranges
Lion Dance
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Fireworks and Firecrackers
Lanterns, Ornaments and Decorations
God and Offerings
And finally not forgetting, family and friends ...
I hereby wish everyone who is celebrating this festival a Happy Chinese New Year and may the new year bring good luck and good wishes!!!
CNY was celebrated before the Qin Dynasty and it is believed that different dynasties have their own calendar to which CNY is celebrated - month 1 during the Xia Dynasty, month 12 during the Shang Dynasty and month 11 during the Zhou Dynasty. It is until then Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty established month 1 as the beginning of CNY. - Wikipedia
There is also a myth saying that there used to be a Man-Eating beast, 'Nian' who comes out to hunt for prey in every 12 months. It was a deadly beast and it caused a number of death. And so, human found out that 'Nian' is afraid of the colour Red and loud noises and that is when people spark firecrackers and wear red to scare off 'Nian'. From then on, Chinese wear red and celebrate this festive season with crackers to scare of evil spirits.
CNY as mentioned, is celebrated for 15 days. It all starts with :
CNY Eve - all family members gather around to have an annual family reunion dinner this day to mark the end of the year and usually there would be a praying procession to the 'God of Fortune' later in the evening
1st Day - this day, people are told not to wash their hair as it will wash their luck and fortune away, it is also a day where people abstain from consuming meat as it is believed that it ensures longevity. Families pay visit to the eldest member of the extended family.
2nd Day - it is a day when married daughters visit their own families, besides that, Chinese would also pray to their ancestors and the Gods. On this day, humans are also asked to treat dogs extra kind as it is believed that it is the day of the dogs.
3rd & 4th Day - it is believed that people shouldn't visit any of their families or friends as it is an inauspicious day to visit. But in modern days, people are less superstitious and wouldn't care much about what is said.
5th Day - on this day, people would pray to the 'God of Wealth' as it is the birthday of the God, it is known as 'Po Wu'
7th Day - the 7th day is known as the day of human or man's birthday, on this day people grows a year older, and there is a tradition saying that 'Yu Sheng', a special dish is eaten on this day for luck and prosperity, this dish is widely eaten in South East Asia such as my country, Malaysia
9th Day - it is the birthday of the Jade Emperor or God of Heaven, Hokkiens pray to this God as thanksgiving. Sugarcane is used when praying because it is believed that the cane saved the Hokkiens from exterminations ages ago.
13th Day - people are encouraged to consume simple food such as congee on this day after eating oily and rich food for the past few days of the CNY
15th Day(Chap Goh Mei) - it is the last day of the CNY and it is also known as the 'Valentine's Day' of the Chinese. Glutinous rice are eaten on this day for togetherness. On this day, females who are single and who is also looking for a life partner would take this opportunity to jot their personal details on mandarin oranges to throw into lakes and ponds while single men would net them up to contact the other party.
Things that Chinese would relate during CNY are :
Red Packets (money packets) - given by elders or married couples to unmarried singles, the amount given is usually even numbers as odd number is unlucky.
Mandarin Oranges
Lion Dance
Fireworks and Firecrackers
Lanterns, Ornaments and Decorations
God and Offerings
And finally not forgetting, family and friends ...
I hereby wish everyone who is celebrating this festival a Happy Chinese New Year and may the new year bring good luck and good wishes!!!
HAHAHA...love the photo at the end
happy chinese new year. so fast yar and there are only six days more and cny will come to an end and everyone will carry out their things normally.