This morning I wake up from loud and rumbling sounds of something in between of shooting and unloading cargo. My first thought is that it is an earthquake - because I am in Chiang Rai (Thailand), which has been an epicenter of so many devastating earthquakes in the past, and I also have never experienced any earthquakes before but, at the same time, so scared of them. However, the sound ends quickly and the earth is not shaking, and I am drifting back in my sweet sleep. It turns out later that this was the noise of fire crackers, which repeats more and more often, supplemented with the sound of gongs, cymbals and drums played throughout the streets. The Chinese New Year is coming tomorrow, let's welcome the year of the goat!
2015 Chinese New Year celebrates the Year of the Goat, the eight animal honoured by Buddha, and in the Western calendar this officially begins on 19 February. Chinese New Year customs are numerous and they bring a colorful sense of renewal to this period of the year. Many of the rituals are imbued with a magical meaning - there is a lucky food to eat during the celebration and also certain taboos to be followed.
Lucky Food
Certain dishes are eaten during the Chinese New Year for their symbolic meaning.
Certain dishes are eaten during the Chinese New Year for their symbolic meaning.
- Chinese dumplings: with a history of more than 1,800 years, dumplings are a classic Chinese food, and a traditional dish eaten on Chinese New Year's Eve;
- Glutinous rice cakes: in Chinese, glutinous rice cakes sounds like it means "getting higher year-on- by year". They are meade with sticky rice, sugar, chestnuts, Chinese dates and lotus leaves;
- Sweet rice balls: the pronunciation and round shape of the sweet rice balls are associated with reunion and being together;
- Longevity noodles: they are a symbol of wish for longevity. Their length and unsevered preparation are also symbolic of the eater's life;
- Fish: in Chinese, "fish" sounds like "plenty". Fish symbolises abundance and prosperity;
- Chicken: it has 2 meanings, one is a career progress as the cockscomb resembles a Chinese mandarin's hat, the other is punctuality and diligence as the cock wakes up and crows early in the morning;
- Pork: it symbolises prosperity, abundance and well-being;
- Duck: it signifies the ability to carry out many tasks;
- Good fortune fruits: certain fruits are eaten during the Chinese New Year period, such as oranges. They are selected as they are particularly round and "golden" is color, symbolising fullness and wealth, but more obviously for the lucky sound they bring when spoken. Apples symbolise peace and good health. Bananas grow in bunches, signifying a large family with many children.
Taboos
Chinese people believe that, as the Spring Festival is the start of a new year, what you will do then will affect your luck in the coming year. This is how to start a great New Year of the Goat:
On New Year's day (on the 19th February):
Spring Festival season taboos (from 19th to 24th February):
Happy New Year!
Chinese people believe that, as the Spring Festival is the start of a new year, what you will do then will affect your luck in the coming year. This is how to start a great New Year of the Goat:
On New Year's day (on the 19th February):
- No eating porridge: it brings poverty;
- No hair washing: it washes away good luck;
- No needle work: it depletes wealth;
- No unlucky words: for example, "death" brings death;
- No clothes washing: it washes away good luck;
- No sweeping: it sweeps away wealth.
Spring Festival season taboos (from 19th to 24th February):
- No crying: it brings bad luck;
- No breaking dishes: it brings bad luck;
- No using scissors: it cuts wealth;
- No lending or borrowing money: it leads to debt;
- No animal killing: it causes misfortune;
- No black and white clothes: they are unlucky colors;
- No hospital visits: it brings illness.
Happy New Year!