Chinese New Year is a family celebration. A celebration which honors the Family, Gods, and Ancestors. Very important in the Chinese Culture. Even those who are not of the culture might benefit from understanding the ancient cultural background celebrated around the world today.
The year 2009 is the year of the Ox. And begins on the western calendar on Monday, January 26, 2009.Those born in 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985 or 1997 were born under the sign of the Ox. Here are ways to celebrate according to Chinese Culture along with a few taboos.
Chinese New Year Tradition
Firecrackers are very important in this celebration. The firecrackers are set off on Chinese New Years Eve. This is to send out the old year and welcome in the New Year. According to Chinese Tradition every window and door in the home should be opened to let out the old year along with any bad chi. Chi is energy which could be either good or bad.
Many prefer to wear red clothing on the Chinese New Year because it is a bright and happy color. Thus insuring the year will be filled with much happiness and good cheer.
Chinese New Year Decorations
- Color. Use red to decorate windows and doors. Red is considered a very auspicious color in Chinese Culture.
- Plants. Traditional Chinese households believe in filling their homes with fresh blooming plants. These plants are thought to symbolize wealth and high status in life. Luck will follow the home where a plant blooms on New Years Day. Blooming on New Years foretells a very good and prosperous New Year.
- Fruit. Chinese traditions believe visiting friends and relatives should bring presents of sweet tangerines and oranges to the homes they visit during the Chinese New Year Celebration period. Oranges and tangerines symbolize happiness and much abundance during the year.
- Candy. A candy tray arranged in a circle or octagon filled with candied melon, coconut, peanuts, nuts, lotus seed represent much good fortune.
Sweep Clean
Clean the house before the Chinese New Year begins. In Chinese culture it is considered important to sweep away any bad luck that may have accumulated during the previous year. .Never clean on the first days of the Chinese New Year. The Chinese culture believes this will sweep away any good luck that enters the door.
Money Packets
Distribute money packets on Chinese New Years Day to children and unmarried friends. These red packets are decorated with gold symbols and filled with money.
This information should help most understand and enjoy this ancient Chinese Tradition. Parents and children learn more about Chinese New Year Tradition at Kiddy House.
 |
 |
