The Chinese New Year is the ideal time to forget any February blues and celebrate!
The Chinese calendar predates the Western Gregorian one by centuries and is based on the cycles of the moon, which is why the date can fall anywhere between late January and early February. This year it is on the 14th February, the same day this week as Valentine’s Day – so what better way than to combine the two. I love chinese food, so I’ve booked a table at my favourite chinese restaurant.
The Chinese calendar names each year after twelve animals. Legend has it that the Lord Buddha summoned all the animals to come to him before he departed from earth. Only twelve came and as a reward he named a year after each of them in the order in which they arrived. The Chinese believe that the animal ruling the year in which you were born has a great influence on your personality, saying ‘This is the animal that hides in your heart’. 2010 is the Year of the Tiger. Click this link to view the year you were born to find out what animal represents you.
The Chinese calendar predates the Western Gregorian one by centuries and is based on the cycles of the moon, which is why the date can fall anywhere between late January and early February. This year it is on the 14th February, the same day this week as Valentine’s Day – so what better way than to combine the two. I love chinese food, so I’ve booked a table at my favourite chinese restaurant.
The Chinese calendar names each year after twelve animals. Legend has it that the Lord Buddha summoned all the animals to come to him before he departed from earth. Only twelve came and as a reward he named a year after each of them in the order in which they arrived. The Chinese believe that the animal ruling the year in which you were born has a great influence on your personality, saying ‘This is the animal that hides in your heart’. 2010 is the Year of the Tiger. Click this link to view the year you were born to find out what animal represents you.
As with Western traditions for Christmas and New Year, preparations for Chinese New Year begin several weeks before. The whole house is to be cleaned thoroughly before New Year, with the folklore that you should sweep away any bad luck from your house. All debts are to be paid before the New Year begins. Gifts, flowers and sweets are also exchanged.
The house is traditionally decorated with vases of blossoms, plates of oranges and tangerines, and trays of dried fruit. Every Chinese household is meant to contain live blooming plants to symbolise rebirth and new growth – the New Year is also called the Spring Festival to rejoice at the earth coming back to life.
Chinese New Year celebrations are marked by generous amounts of food, shared together as a family, in which departed relatives are also remembered with great respect.
Many of the foods and dishes have symbolic meanings. For example, a whole fish represents togetherness, a chicken prosperity and prawns liveliness and happiness. Noodles should be uncut to represent long life. Another custom is to wear red to ward off evil spirits. At midnight, all doors, and even windows, should be open to let the old year out. Fireworks at 12 are also a great Chinese tradition.
Many Chinese restaurants will be holding special celebrations for New Year, as will some other pubs and restaurants. If you fancy celebrating at home, just pick up a takeaway! For those of you with the culinary urge to prepare an authentic Chinese meal yourself, don’t forget the Chinese supermarkets that can be found in some of our larger towns and cities. (If you don’t live near one of these, some now offer online ordering).
Many Chinese restaurants will be holding special celebrations for New Year, as will some other pubs and restaurants. If you fancy celebrating at home, just pick up a takeaway! For those of you with the culinary urge to prepare an authentic Chinese meal yourself, don’t forget the Chinese supermarkets that can be found in some of our larger towns and cities. (If you don’t live near one of these, some now offer online ordering).
And if you have already broken your New Year Resolutions, then Chinese New Year is a good reason to start again!
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