Rat-Love
3 February 2008
Once upon a time, according to legend, a fierce monster descended on a small Chinese village at during the New Year celebrations and threatened to destroy it. The monster returned the following winter, ravaging the village and terrorizing its people. By the third year though, the villagers were really ready: They hung colorful red banners, designed to ward off evil, and made loud, scary noises. The beast was appropriately frightened away, and the town celebrated for many days. The End.
Chinese New Year is still celebrated with firecrackers, banners, parades, and feasts to protect against evil, prepare for a fresh start, and to herald the arrival of spring. Also called the Lunar New Year, the holiday begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice, usually in late January or early February.
In 2006 it began on January 29, ushering in the Year of the Dog. In 2007, it began on February 18, begining the auspicious year of the Fire or Golden Pig. This year, 2008 ushers in the Year of the Rat. The celebration begins TODAY, February 7th and ends 15 days later with the Lantern Festival, a spectacular procession featuring musicians, clowns, martial arts clubs, and a long, fierce dragon.
Preparations for the New Year begin well in advance, marked by traditions rich in symbolism and superstition. People usually travel long distances to visit family and friends they do not see any other time of year – a huge problem this year in China due to the horrific weather…but that is for another post. Families clean the house from top to bottom to sweep out bad luck at the start of the holiday. (That has NOT happened here this year, hehehe…we will try again next year:D) People buy new clothes and pay off debts. It’s customary to get a haircut before the holiday, because the Chinese word for hair is similar to the word for prosperity, and you don’t want to cut your prosperity as the year is starting. (Yeah, um, both Brett and I need haircuts and did not quite get there before the holiday started…there goes some prosperity.)
To celebrate Chinese New Year in your own house (something I wanted people to tell me how to do last year and I was told others should not impose their traditions on others…grrrrr):
~Fill your home with fresh fruits and plants. Oranges represent wealth; tangerines with leaves are good luck. Bathing pomelo leaves is thought to invite a prosperous year. A plant that blooms on New Year’s Day brings good fortune.
~Let the kids stay up late on New Year’s Eve and make a fun party out of it. According to an old saying, the longer the children stay up, the longer their parents will live. One question – is that good or????
~Invite friends and family to a New Year’s feast – Seriously -a FEAST. The Chinese women cook for days preparing and serving symbolic foods: a whole fish, for bounty; dried oysters, for a successful business; fried dumplings, which resemble golden coins. Now, if you cook like me, ease into this and choose recipes your family is likely to eat. We are having Chinese seasoned pork chops, fried rice and Clementines with fortune cookies and I do not feel overwhelmed plus the little angels are likely to actually eat. Woohoo!
~Decorate your home with chun lian—couplets offering good wishes—written in Chinese characters on red paper. For more info, and for printable chun lian, go to www.chinapage.com/duilian/chunlian0.html. Or heck, write them on red paper in english if need be. Remember, it is the thought that counts.
~Give your children small red envelopes, called lai see or hong-bao, with lucky money tucked inside. My girls had such fun preparing some for their classmates and were the hit of the day.
~Contact local Chinese organizations to find out where you can see a Lion Dance or Lantern Festival.
*On Saturday, Feb. 9th our local Asian Market on Legacy and Chase Oaks in Plano is hosting a free Lion Dance at 10 am.
*Also, Chinese New Year at The Crow Collection of Asian ArtThursday February 7th 12:00 noon – 1:00pmTrammell Crow Center Plaza (2010 Flora St., Dallas,TX 75201) FREE, Celebrate Chinese New Year with a Lion Dance to chase away evil and bring awealth of good fortune for the coming year.
*Adventure Asia! Art Experiences for Everyone at The Crow Collection of Asian Art Saturday, February 9, 2008. 12:00 noon-5:00 PM The Crow Collection of Asian Art (2010 Flora St. Dallas, TX 75201) FREE. The Chinese New Year is one of the most important holidays in the Chinesecalendar. come celebrate the Year of the Rat and explore Chinese culturethrough storytelling, performers and art-making experiences. No reservation required. Call 214-979-6438 for more information.
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Okay, so we are the boring half Chinese family. All we have done is eat long noodles for long life and chocolate covered fortune cookies. Didn’t have time to sweep the house and get hair cuts. Mia’s hair is finally growing, so I’m not cutting it. Chinese takeout is easier than cooking for days on end. (My MIL used to do this.) We do the red envelope thing with zeal and look forward to being with the Mui side of the family to collect more. Happy New Year to all of you!
Hugs, Mui Family (We all become Muis for Chinese NY.)
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