On
January 28, year of the Rooster kicks off the start of Chinese New Year 2017.
Chinese New Year, as a lot of us understand, is a new beginning for the year,
expelling the old, a path to start over… again. If the previous year was
misfortune and unkind. This is the opportunity where it can all change. A
chance where the cultural practices that were taught will come into use. In the
weeks leading up to the Chinese New Year, house cleaning is a must because the
swiping away your bad luck will bring in new good fortune. Bills and debts
should be paid off before Chinese New Year because this is where you can start
off with a new slate. Appearances is a must. Need a haircut? Well go get one
already! Try to wear something new because it’s a new YOU for the new year.
Taboo words such as death, ghost, illness, losing, and poverty shouldn’t be
spoken. Usually around Chinese New Year, I try not to swear but unfortunately
the F-bomb flew out of my mouth more than a dozen times. Oh well, next year.
These are some of the cultural practices and behaviors, I follow when Chinese
New Year rolls around. Of course, there are a lot of others practices but these
are the important ones for me.
Another thing about Chinese New Year is the FOOD! Pork
belly, fish, Fortune Fruit, noodles, Chinese pastries/desserts, and more. Food
for Chinese New Year is not just food, we eat it for a reason. Noodles for
example lead to longevity. Simply eating an Orange will bring good luck and
good fortune, since Tangerines in Chinese sounds like the word “luck” and
orange sounds like the word “wealth”. The brighter the orange the better, it
symbolizes the appearance of “gold”, hence the notion of bringing good luck and
fortune. So basically, you could say food will bring good luck to all. I must
say Chinese New Year, is all about preparation. On two accounts while in
Chinatown, one Thursday, I took my Mom to Best
Bar B Q restaurant in Chinatown. The line was slightly out the door,
everyone in line was ordering all the same dish. Then on Sunday, I took my Aunt
there and now the line was longer. It lined up down the street light. Chinese
New Year comes once a year and we can all celebrate and start fresh.
As for me, for the new year, I must say, so far, I have
good luck and fortune. Hopefully, dropping the F-bombs won’t bring me
misfortunes. For now, I leave you with a Gung Hei Fat Choi, good health and
good fortune to you! Oh and don’t forget to eat up because filling your belly
up is good fortune!
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