The Chinese new year is finally upon us,This coming Chinese New Year, it will be the Year of the Tiger, which officially starts on February 14, 2010, Valentines Day! People born in the Chinese Year of the Tiger, have the following qualities and characteristics: Courage, Self-Reliance, Friendliness, Hopefulness, and Resilience.
As was done for generations, Tradition dictates those who celebrate the Lunar New Year do so by visiting friends and family, dressing in new clothing mostly red, because it is believed that red will scare away evil spirits and bad fortune, and eating elaborate meals.
A special tradition also at this time of the year is for children to receive red pockets or envelope called Ang Pow filled with money, as a way of wishing them success and a Happy New Year. Everyone is expected to be in good spirits, since displaying unpleasant temperaments or speaking unlucky words is thought to bring on an unsuccessful year.
In addition to red envelopes, small gifts (usually of food or sweets) are also exchanged between friends or relatives. Gifts are usually brought when visiting friends or relatives at their homes. Common gifts include fruits (typically oranges, and never pears), cakes, biscuits, chocolates, candies, or some other small gift.
Furthermore, one of the traditions in the Chinese New Year celebrations are fireworks.Chinese people believed that using these firecrackers will drive away evil spirits from the nearby surroundings and will bring luck.
So to all my readers of Chinese descent and who are celebrating the coming of the Chinese New Year, i will like to say Gong Xi Fa Choy 恭喜发财 "May You Prosper," a phrase commonly used by Chinese to greet each other during Chinese New Year. my heartfelt wishes for you and all your families!
May the 'Year of the Tiger' bring us all a better, more prosperous and harmonious year.
One of the thing on my to do list when i visit Taiwan again, will be to visit and put flowers on The Legendary Teresa Teng's grave. I wish she had lived long enough for me to see her live in concert.
