Chinese New Year 2008

5 Whys of Chinese New Year Traditions you may not know (adapted)

1. Why must the amount of cash in the hongbao be even-numbered?
Ans: There's a Chinese saying that "good things come in pairs" 好事成双. Odd-numbered amounts are generally associated with money given at funerals. Taipei 101?... Oh No!!!

2. Why must you stay up on the eve of Chinese New Year?
Ans: It is believed that the later children stay up on the eve of Chinese New Year, the longer their parents will live. Mahjong sessions... hehehe :)

3. Why do we wear red-coloured clothes on Chinese New Year?
Ans: Chinese legend tells of a man-eating beast called 'Nian' 年, which lived in the sea near a small village. Every Chinese New Year's Eve, Nian would come ashore to capture livestock and humans for its yearly sustenance. It seems that Nian was frightened by the sight of red banners flying about, the noise of the firecrackers and the light of the lanterns, thus it became a tradition for the Chinese to wear red to frighten it away.
♥ Paint The Town Red :D ♥

4. Why is the Chinese character 'fu' 福 placed upside down?Ans: Turning something upside down is known as 'dao' 倒 in Mandarin, which sounds similar to the Chinese word for 'arrive' 到.
Turning the word upside down means that blessings will arrive. Auspiciousness pours. :)))

5. Why are mandarin oranges exchanged during Chinese New Year?Ans: The Mandarin word for Mandarin word is 'ju' 桔, which sounds like 'ji' 吉, meaning good luck. Another version is that the oranges are called 'kam' 金 in Cantonese, which sound like the Cantonese word for gold. Mmm... Gold Exchange!? ;)

10 Lucky Symbols
Chinese New Year traditions
- All debts must be paid by New Year's Day. Nothing should be lent on this day anyone who does so will be lending all the year.
- One should not use bad language, unlucky words, negative terms and the word 'four', which sounds like the word for death.
- Death and dying are never mentioned and ghost stories are totally taboo.
- References to the past year are avoided as everything should be turned towards the New Year and a new beginning.
- It is believed that if you shouldn't cry as to cry on New Year's day means the coming year will be sorrowful. For this reason children are not told off on this day.
- On New Year's Day, you are not supposed to wash your hair or clean the house, for fear that good luck will be washed and swept away.
- Shooting off firecrackers on New Year's Eve is the Chinese way of sending out the old year and welcoming the New Year.
-On the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, every door in the house, including windows, must be opened to allow the old year to go out.

The 15 Days of Chinese New Year
Day one: The first day of the lunar New Year. The gods of heaven and earth are welcomed and meat is avoided to promote longevity and happiness.
Day two: Prayers are sent to the gods and ancestors. Dogs receive extra kindness and are well fed; today is the birthday of all dogs.
Day three and four: Son-in-laws pay respect to their bride's parents.
Day five: Named Po Woo, this day is spent at home to welcome the God of Wealth. It is bad luck to visit anyone on this day.
Days six to ten: The Chinese are now free to visit their loved ones, and pray for good fortune in the temples.
Day seven: The birthday of all humans celebrated with a drink made by the farmers from seven types of vegetable. Raw fish is eaten to promote success, and noodles for longevity.
Day eight: Prayers are sent at midnight from the Fujian people, to Tian Gong, the God of Heaven.
Day nine: Offerings are made to the jade Emperor.
Days 10 to 12: Invites are sent to friends and relatives, to visit for dinner.
Day 13: Simple foods are eaten so as to detox after rich foods at friends and relatives.
Day 14:Time is taken for preparation for the Lantern Festival celebration on the 15th night.
Day 15:Jai Cai, vegetarian dishes to be enjoyed by the family.

Tiscali

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