Chinese New Year

 

The arrival of the Chinese New Year is a time of renewal, reflection, and the rekindling of family bonds.  It is an annual 15 day festival in China that begins with the new moon which occurs sometime between January 31 and February 20th.  Festivities generally last until the full moon.

The origins of the Chinese New Year are steeped in legend.  One of thse legends said that a thousand years ago a monster named Nlan (Year) would attack villagers at the geginning of each new year.  The monster was afraid of loud noises, bright lights, and the color red.  These things are what was used to chase the monster away.Today they are used every Chinese New Year in celebration of ushering out the old year and bringing in the new one, thus bringing luck and prosperity.  Fireworks, firecrackers, red decorations and clothing is wornl  Money is given out in colorful red envelopes to young people in celebration.  In addition, Chinese New Year is a time to feast and to visit family members.  

I live one block from Brooklyn's Chinatown. It's going to be wild out here today and tonight. I think the parade will be on Sunday, but  already there were fireworks up until 3:30 in the morning, and I'm sure tonight will be the same, if not worse. No sleep for me this weekend.   I'll be finding silly string on the sidewalks for days.  The streets are already decorated in reds and golds.  Most of my friends are going out to dinner, but I have one friend who takes traditions seriously and has been running about all week.

She has educated me on a lot of them. House must be clean, clean linens on the bed, all laundry done, bills must be paid.  And cooking?  Red envelopes with money for those of a certain age unmarried. My goodness.  She has spent hundreds of dollars on food.  Whole chicken which symbolizes prosperity; whole fish which symbolizes new beginnings and endings; pork belly for prosperity; a special soup with ingredients totally about a $100; vegetable dishes, dumplings, shrimp chips.  Why, when I was heading to the center yesterday morning she hopped on the bus in my neighborhood with two lobsters in her bag. And when I asked how many she was having, she said 6 people. Wow.  Seriously, I was wishing she invited me for dinner. 

Not sure what I'll be having tonight.  I always like traditions, even those not in my own culture, but if I do decide to do something, I won't be spending that much money for sure.

Happy Chinese New Year.