New Year’s Traditions
Life is Mysterious tagged me on this one 'New Year's Traditions'. I guess some clarifications needed here for New Year here refers to the Lunar New Year or commonly Chinese New Year which is round the corner and falls on 7th or 8th Feburary 2008! Chinese have lots of traditions depending on your creed, ie Cantonese, Hakka etc and from which Province in China you originated from. As for me, a Cantonese from Guanzhou here are some which I learned from my parents :-
Firstly the Rules :
Copy the person and persons’ names that sent it to you and add your own at the bottom of the list. It really helps to build community.
Lets start it here!
*We must have the Reunion Dinner on the Eve and once the clock strikes 12 midnight, we start with the first meal on the first day! Guess for Chinese having food is all so important and its a basic human need too.
*The next important thing is to wish your parents and elders all the good things that you can think of! We never miss this part for in return we receive 'Red Packets' which contain MONEY! Guess the next important thing in life!
*Everyone goes their own way, meaning to the gambling tables and their favorite game be it Cards or Mah Jong and hope to win more with the money given to you! Enterprising Chinese! I always loose! Arrgh!
*Of course, traditionally no one sweeps the floor on the first day of New Year for fear of sweeping away the luck that came with the season! Well for me, I guess I will sweep so that I sweep away all the bad luck and hope to win at the tables!
*On the Seventh Day commonly known as Birthday for those who do not know their date of birth! On this day it is traditional to have a meal of Raw Fish mixed with veges and chips!
*Traditionally the New Year lasts for 15 days! and I am blur on what to do and what not to do after the third day! All I remembered was the continuous gambling sessions the feasts and of course the Red Packets which are our source of funds for our investments! Heck! this is the only time in the year where minors are allowed to make some money from gambling!
Dora; Bokjae................................................... Wonder what it will be like for David Bong; Trinity; Judylesse and Genelim.
The present generation does not follow many old tradition anymore…all they want for CNY is a time to meet up with family members and friends…and some good food….guess giving and recieving ang pows…are the only thing still around…btw..pls claim yr ‘ang pow’ from me…
Well said jasmine and its true! Even for ourselves many of the traditions are lost now! It is only when one gets older does one appreciates the old traditions! Thanks!
Thank you for sharing the tag with me… I did my tag today.. but not about Chinese New Year..I hope you don’t mind.:-)