Chinese New Year is round the corner. This Saturday. And yikes, I haven’t done anything yet.
New clothes should have been purchased, the house cleaned and sparkling and decorated with flowers, and red couplet banners and other cute trinkets proudly displayed. Plans for the reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve would have been made well in advance.
Dozens of different kinds of tasty tidbits–pineapple tarts, pastries, watermelon seeds, peanuts, sweet candy and dried fruit–should have been purchased and beautifully displayed in anticipation of visitors to the home.
I haven’t prepared anything. Who has time? I’ve been riveted by events of the past seven days–last week for the Obamas, an Inauguration, and Women’s March. Also remodeling bathroom and closet, my house in shambolic state. It would be the last thing anyone is Singapore, Hong Kong or China would even think to do before this festival!
We celebrate new year for two weeks — so I have time, I guess. But no work at all the first day. Tradition prohibits the use of brooms or knives the first day so you don’t sweep away the good fortune and have any hint of cutting off any loss of whatever. (No hair cuts even. ) Sounds like a tradition devised by the mothers or cooks or servants.
On new year eve, a reunion dinner with family is most important. Then on the first day, everyone visits their paternal parents and grandparents and on the second day, they visit the maternal parents and grandparents’ home. Children and unmarried adults in Cantonese tradition receive hong bao, red packets filled with money from all married people. Still unmarried in my mid-20s, I could receive up to $2,000 over the two weeks. By then my relatives were doing well and they were very generous. I have to remember to send hong bao to my daughter, son-in-law and new grandson.
So here’s my contribution to the culture. I am sharing some pictures. A couple of mine taken in Fairfax, Va and lovely photos from my cousin Debbie Wan in Singapore and my friend Kouli Crowter from Hong Kong.
Fairfax, Va:
All I found were lanterns and sale of red packets and fancy snacks. Nevertheless the Chinese supermarkets here will be very busy as many in community will observe new year eve’s dinner with family and friends. But for many others the day could also slip by unnoticed. New Year day, based on the lunisolar calendar, changes yearly; you have to look up a Chinese calendar to note the date. Chinatown DC will be having a New Year Parade on Sunday at 2 pm.
Singapore:
The new year is the year of the rooster. My cousin photographed this lighted lantern making a stand in the middle of Chinatown. Yes, Singapore has a Chinatown.
Hong Kong:
My friend Kouli’s pictures were from a flower market in Victoria Park, Causeway Bay in Hong Kong. Spring blossoms of narcissus, pussy willows and cherry blossoms are auspicious flowers. Loquats and kamquats are popular because they resemble gold nuggets.
