On January 26, 2022, Post published an article entitled “Time of great festivity” in its January 26-30, 2022 edition contributed by the Consulate. The full text is as follows:
The Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year is the most important traditional holiday in China and an occassion of great festivity for the Chinese community all over the world.
It is associated with many symbols, each of which has its own importance and significance. Regional customs and traditions vary but share the same theme.
Since ancient times, Chinese people have been using the Chinese Zodiac animals to represent the years. Each lunar year is related to a zodiac animal, beginning at Chinese New Year.
The 12 zodiac animals recur on a 12-year cycle in the order of Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.
Each zodiac has a rich legend, which forms the main philosophy in Chinese folk culture, such as the zodiac sign on marriage, temple fair prayer and so on. In modern times, more and more people take the zodiac as the mascot of the Spring Festival.
Year 2022, on February 1, is the Year of the Tiger by the Chinese calendar. In Chinese culture, tiger symbolizes bravery and strength and people born in a year of the Tiger are usually described as brave, competitive, unpredictable, and confident.
On the other side, they are likely to be impetuous, irritable, overindulged and love to boast to others.
The color of red is always inseparable from celebration because it represents auspiciousness, prosperity and festivity. During the Chinese New Year, people usually decorate their homes in red.
Shopping malls, supermarkets, enterprises, streets and alleys are also decorated with red ''Fu'' (good fortune) characters, red couplets, red window paper-cuts, red Chinese knots, and red lanterns. Everywhere is red! In traditional Chinese culture, red is an auspicious color which can ward off evil spirits.
What to Do
Cleaning before Chinese New Year has been a custom in China since ancient times. Since the word ''dust'' is homophonic to ''old'' in Chinese language, people hope they can drive the bad luck or the old things away through cleaning.
Pasting spring couplets: The spring festival couplet is a unique literary form in China. The red couplets are displayed on the door frames of every urban and rural family and light up the festive atmosphere.
Pasting the ''Fu'': While pasting the spring festival couplets, people would paste all sizes of ''Fu'' characters on their doors, walls and lintels. The character ''Fu'' means good fortune or happiness, showing people's yearning for the happy life and good wishes for the future. Some even paste the ''Fu'' upside down for the meaning of arrival of good fortune.
Hanging lanterns: Before the Chinese New Year's Eve, people would hang red lanterns symbolizing reunion to create a festive atmosphere. On the Eve, red lanterns are seen everywhere in streets and alleyways, which light up the festive atmosphere and bring people the enjoyment of beauty.
Setting off firecrackers: The first thing for Chinese families on the morning of the first day is to set off firecrackers, so as to ring out the old year and usher in the new. Setting off firecrackers can create the festive atmosphere and bring people joy and luck, but the dust and smoke released pollute the environment, and may start a fire. Now, many cities in China have banned fireworks and firecrackers. The “cloud” fireworks and firecrackers are gaining popularity.
Having reunion dinner: On New Year's Eve, the whole family gathers to enjoy the reunion dinner, watch the Spring Festival Gala and chat, waiting for the coming of a new year.
Visiting relatives and friends: On the first day of the Spring Festival, people get up early, put on the most beautiful clothes and dress up to visit friends and relatives and say greetings like 'Xīnnián Kuàilè (meaning: Happy New Year) ' for good luck in a new year.
Giving a red envelop with money: The red envelope is given from elders to juniors, showing their care for the juniors. It is believed that the lucky money can protect the juniors from evil things and help them spend a peaceful year.
Worshiping ancestors: The customs and forms of ancestor worship vary in China. Some worship the ancestral tombs in the field while others in the ancestral temples.
What to Wear
It is believed that wearing new clothes from head to toe symbolizes a new start and fresh hopes for the New Year. Chinese usually wear red or other brightly-colored clothes on New Year's Day, to go with the festive and upbeat mood. Some families wear traditional Chinese clothing like Qipao or Tangzhuang. Many would also put on red scarves for the sake of good luck.
What to Eat
The food is the paramount necessity of the people, as the Chinese saying goes. People believe the traditional food in the festival can bring them and their family good luck.
Many foods have auspicious meanings. For example, eating dumplings has the auspicious meaning of wealth and fortune; fish is homophonic with “surplus” in Chinese language, symbolizing more luck, happiness, and surplus year after year; glutinous rice cake ( known as ''Year High Cake'') has the symbolic meaning of ''life and work getting higher or better year after year''. It is warm to eat Hot Pot during the New Year, which can creat a properous atmosphere.