Chinese New Year 2022
Every year, the Chinese New Year (shengxiao) changes but it always in either January or February. This year, the Chinese New Year falls on the 2nd of February (tomorrow) and the reason why this New Year is later than what we are accustomed to in the West is because our calendar is based around the Sun Cycle but, the Chinese calendar is based on the Lunar Cycle.
A Brief History
I covered this in our Animal Symbolism series (Link at the bottom!) but here is a shortened version......
The Chinese Zodiac came about when the Jade Emperor wanted to make a calendar and called all of the animals together for a race and the first 12 to finish would win a place in the calendar. Our animal representative for this year's Zodiac, the Tiger, came in at a respectable 3rd behind the Ox and the Rat, respectively.
The Tiger
Tigers are known to be brave, competitive, confident and unpredictable. They are well liked by others but can be irritable, impetuous and overindulgent. Tigers are stubborn and have tough judgement with an air of authority and don't back track on what they've said. Due to these traits, they can be competent leaders although they don't prepare but they can take nearly everything in their stride.
To the Chinese, the Tiger is the King of the Jungle, hence it's relation to leadership qualities, bravery and confidence.
Traditions
Most shengxiao celebrations start the day before (the respective dates New Year's Eve) with house cleaning and decorating, mostly consisting of the colour red and lanterns.
The official celebrations will then begin with the New Year's Eve family dinner, which usually features fish and dumplings as they are thought to symbolise prosperity.
After the New Year's Eve dinner, comes the Shou Sui, which roughly translates to "After the New Year's Eve dinner”. This is where families stay up through the night to gather and watch the fireworks that are set off at midnight as they are thought to banish Evil.
It is also customary for parent's to give their children a red pouch with money in it as a symbol of health and avoiding Evil.
What Not To Do
As with any celebration, there are do's and don'ts. Here's what is believed you shouldn't do on the 1st day of the Chinese New Year:
- Washing. People tend to avoid washing clothes on the 1st and 2nd day of the New Year as those days are considered the birthday of the water God Shuishen
- Medicine. It is believed that taking medicine on the 1st day of the New Year means that that person will be sick for the whole year. Of course, if you actually need to take medication for a condition (diabetes, mental health, long term health problems etc) I advise you to NOT miss your medication
- Eat porridge. Porridge is considered to be a poor man's food and by eating porridge on the first day, you will start the year out poor
- Lending money. Don't lend money on New Year's Day and it is advisable to pay off all debts by New Year's Eve. If you go to the house of someone who owes you money and demand payment, you will have a year of bad luck
- Washing your hair. In the Chinese language, the word hair and character is pronounced "Fa" which is the same as the Fa in Facai, which translates to "to become wealthy" so washing your hair means you would be washing away wealth
- Being robbed. If you have your pocket picked, it is a sign that your wealth will be stolen during the coming year
- Going out. Women are not permitted to leave the house lest they be plagued with bad luck. Married daughters are also not allowed to visit their parents as this will bring bad luck on their parents household
- Sweeping. Sweeping on New Year's Day will sweep your wealth away, this is why cleaning is done the day before
- Crying children. If a child cries, bad luck will fall on the family so parents will do their best to keep their kids happy
- Using Sharp objects. If an accident happens that involves a knife or a pair of scissors, your wealth will depleat and inauspicious things will occur
- Certain gift items. Do not gift a clock, pears or scissors to someone as they are considered bad omens
- Wearing damaged clothing. Wearing damaged clothing on New Year's Day is considered bad luck
- Empty jars. If you have any empty cooking receptacle, particularly an empty rice jar, it may cause some anxiety as not being able to cook a proper meal is a bad omen
- Monochrome clothes. Do not wear white or black as these are colours of mourning
- Spilling blood. Killing something/someone or causing/recieving an injury that draws blood will bring disaster as blood is a very bad omen
Of course, celebrations differ around the world so how you celebrate the Chinese New Year may be different to how someone else celebrates. There are also some places that have placed bans on paper lanterns due to wildlife and environmental concerns, so please check your local laws and/or look for alternatives!!
I hope you've enjoyed this post! If I have got any information wrong or have missed something, please let me know so I can ammended it!!
Our Chinese Zodiac post ๐๐ป๐๐ป
Xฤซnniรกn hวo" (ๆฐๅนดๅฅฝ)!!
Blessings,
C )0(
๐๐ป๐๐ป๐๐ป
Comments
Post a Comment