chinese new year

Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year begins on the 24th day of the 12th lunar month, and lasts up to three weeks long. This year is the year of the pig.

The first indication that something is happening is the stringing of red lanterns all over city streets, shop fronts and temples in preparation for the Lantern Festival. The bustling of people on the streets and malls is similar to that what we are accustomed at Christmas; people are hurriedly moving to and fro, discounts create shopping frenzies and special food items are purchased to prepare for family feasts.

Fireworks begin to sound day and night and are said to scare away evil sprits which are sensitive to loud noises and the color red; a big reason why red is seen everywhere in Taiwan and China year round.

Festivities begin by worshipping ancestors at temples and house hopping to visit friends and relatives. A common ritual is the burning of paper money to provide for deceased ancestors in their afterlife; this is also seen throughout the year but at New Years there is a definite increase of small sidewalk ritualistic fires during the New Year celebration.

Another common New Years sight are paper scrolls hung on door fronts, inscribed with blessings and auspicious words such as ‘good fortune’ ‘wealth’ and ‘longevity’.

The common goal during this period is to reunite with family, the pilgrimage back home is said to be one of the largest human migrations in the world as Chinese from all over the world return home to be with family. In Taiwan, the majority of people head south and the northern sections such as Taipei are almost ghost like; you can just imagine that highway traffic is nothing less than horrific.

On New Years Eve, family members return home and share a large family meal.
Food during this period is full of symbolism, and dishes are made with particular means of good luck-ie: fish represents ‘having enough to share’ turnips for ‘good omens’ and fish balls and meat balls representing ‘reunions’.

The tradition of red envelopes continues here, these envelopes are filled with money and older children will give to their parents as a show of gratitude.

Negative superstitions are also observed, it is said that sweeping floors during the first five days of the lunar New Year is unlucky as you might sweep away good luck and wealth, and garbage must not be disposed of for fear of throwing out riches.

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