CHINESE NEW YEAR: Let’s welcome the New Year with firecrackers

January 28, 2017, Chinese New Year, marks the start of the year of the fire rooster. It is known as the most important event in Chinese calendar. However, Chinese New Year’s celebration is not only held in China but also other countries where Chinese population has migrated to. Although Chinese New Year is not a public holiday in Thailand, the celebration is widely arranged across country since many Thai people have Chinese root.

In Thailand, Chinese New Year usually celebrated for 3 days. The first day is the day for buying food such as chicken, pork, or fruit to use in worshiping ancestors and in the evening the whole family will enjoy splendid banquet together at home. On the night of New Year’s eve, adults will hand red envelopes called “Hong Bao” (Hong means red and Bao means pocket), contained pocket money inside, to their kids to ensure good fortune in the coming year. On the second day, the whole family will get together to pay respect to ancestors. It is also an opportunity to strengthen family relationship by spending time together. The third day is the time to travel and visit extended family in order to wish Happy New Year.

Let’s get into the spirit of Chinese New Year by wearing red and observing these activities set on Chinese New Year

Attractive Features on Chinese New Year

Fire dragon and lion dancing - a highlight of the festival is the dragon and lion dance. The dragon refers to a mystical creature bringing prosperity and good fortune. The lion refers to symbol of bravery and stability. The dragon and the lion are typically made of bamboo, paper, and silk. During the show, several numbers of dragons and lions will be held aloft by young men who dance as they direct those colourful artificial creatures along the streets.

Lighting firecracker - lighting firecracker is a major custom performed to drive away evil spirits and celebrate the coming of the New Year. As legend is told from ancient time, there was a monster called “Nian” which annually appeared to destroy homes and farms during New Year’s Eve. One year, while villagers were burning bamboo to keep themselves warm, “Nian” invaded the village and was scared by the cracking noise of the burning bamboo. The villagers finally discovered a way to drive away the evil spirit. After time passed, firecrackers were invented to replace the burning bamboo.

Feasting with family - The heart of Chinese New Year is a celebration of home and family. Therefore, gathering with family around the dining table is a strict etiquette. On the day, family members rush back home in order to share this important meal of the year with loved ones. All of the food served also has symbolic meanings such as fish means prosperity, spring roll and dumpling mean wealth, and noodle means longevity.

Giving red envelope - Red envelope or so called “Hong bao” filled with money is traditionally given from the married to the unmarried or the older to the younger. The amount of money in the envelope varies, but normally is the amount that ends with even number. The banknotes put in red envelopes must be the brand new ones.  

Those are the things usually do on Chinese New Year. By the way, there are also some prohibitions; for example, don’t wear black clothing because it is the colour of mourning, don’t break any dish otherwise the fortune will be driven away, don’t say the number “four” which is Chinese homonym for death, and so on.

In the occasion of Chinese New Year, Mike Shopping Mall wish everyone be happy, healthy, and wealthy. Gong Xi Fa Cai! (Wishing you a prosperous year)