Chinese New Year

Two days prior to my parents’ arrival marked the first day of Chinese New Year; yet another wonderful holiday in the treasure chest of this multicultural society.  It really is a treat to have the opportunity to experience and learn about the traditions of so many different celebrations.

On the eve of Chinese New Year I went out to dinner with some Rotarian friends and happened to return to my apartment right at midnight.  As I looked out the window of my 23^rd floor apartment, I watched in awe as I witnessed fireworks from at least nine or more different locations throughout the city, that those where just the ones in my field of view.  Mind you that only one or two of these were officially sanctioned firework displays, and the rest were just set off throughout very festive Chinese neighborhoods.  Everyone was happy to welcome the year of the dragon, and a long weekend. 

Mall decorations for the Chinese New Year.  This is the same space that had 10+ Christmas trees in it not that long ago.

The first two days of Chinese New Year are official national holidays, although Chinese New Year is 15 days long, so most people return back to their families homes.  Similar to Hari Raya, I was warned that the city would be very quiet and it was a great time to drive around or dance in the streets because they would be empty.  Well, that was quite true for the actual holidays themselves, but Janelle and I had happened to arrive back from Bali on the Friday before the long weekend when everyone was either coming or going and that’s when you learn there is a limited supply of taxis in the city. 

Although I was busy cleaning my apartment and preparing for my parents visit, I did sneak away to Seremban, a nice little town south of KL that I have visited previously several times to visit a Chinese friend of mine Q’Juan who I visited the Perhentian Islands with when I first arrived in Malaysia.  I spent the evening with her and her family visiting different households of their friends and family and participated in some cards and gambling which is typical for this holiday.  

I think I came out even in the end.

There are many traditions associated with this holiday.  For the Chinese, red stands for life, energy, and wealth so one is encouraged to wear red and something new.  This color is also very important in Chinese legend. Once upon a time (it is said), a man-eating beast known as Nian terrorized China every New Year’s Eve, until people discovered that Nian was afraid of loud noises and the color red. Thus people are encouraged to light firecrackers and wear red clothes to prevent another attack from Nian on the New Year.  Older married folks will give handouts of ang pow (red envelopes filled with money) to their kids and other young unmarried adults (including me!).

My ang pow!  Nice little surprises of $5-10RM each.

Every day of Chinese New Year has different meanings.  The seventh day of Chinese New Year is considered the birthday of all human beings.  The ninth day is particularly significant to Hokkien Chinese: on the ninth day of the New Year (it is said), the enemies of the Hokkien tribe banded together to wipe the Hokkiens from the face of the earth.  As a horrible massacre ensued, a few survivors hid in a field of sugarcane. The heavens intervened, and the marauders left.  Since then, Hokkiens have thanked the Jade Emperor for his intervention on the 9th day, making offerings of sugarcane stalks tied together with red ribbons (OK, I stole that info from the Internet).  The last day of the New Year celebration, this day is also the Chinese equivalent of Valentine’s Day, as unmarried Chinese ladies toss tangerines into bodies of water with their contact information on it hoping a nice young lad will find it and they will live happily ever after. 

A loin dance could erupt at any moment.

Fruits to celebrate the New Year.