Thursday, February 21, 2008

15th and last day of the CNY

The day before is generally a full day for preparations to celebrate the Lantern Festival which is held on the next night.




Rice dumplings and sweet glutinous rice ball brewed in a soup is eaten on this particular day. Candles are lit outside houses to guide rebellious spirits home. This day is celebrated as the Lantern Festival, and families walk the street carrying lighted lanterns.

The fifteenth day also traditionally marks the end of the Chinese New Year festivities. The 15th day marks the first full moon of the Chinese New Year, and is known as Yuan Xiao Jie meaning "first night of the full moon". Another family reunion dinner is held with lanterns and oranges and marks the last dinner party for the Chinese New Year.


Taboos and Superstitions of Chinese New Year



House Cleaning
The entire house should be cleaned before New Year's Day. On New Year's Eve, all brooms, brushes, dusters, dust pans and other cleaning equipment are put away. Sweeping or dusting should not be done on New Year's Day for fear that good fortune will be swept away. After New Year's Day, the floors may be swept. Beginning at the door, the dust and rubbish are swept to the middle of the parlor, then placed in the corners and not taken or thrown out until the fifth day. At no time should the rubbish in the corners be trampled upon. In sweeping, there is a superstition that if you sweep the dirt out over the threshold, you will sweep one of the family’s spirits away. Also, to sweep the dust and dirt out of your house by the front entrance is to sweep away the good fortune of the family; it must always be swept inwards and then carried out, then no harm will follow. All dirt and rubbish must be taken out the back door.

Bringing In the New Year and Expelling the Old
Shooting off firecrackers on New Year's Eve is the Chinese way of sending out the old year and welcoming in the New Year. On the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, every door in the house, and even windows have to be open to allow the old year to go out and the new year to go in.

New Year Activities Set Precendent
All debts had to be paid by this time. Nothing should be lent on this day, as anyone who does so will be lending all the year. Back when tinder and flint were used, no one would lend them on this day or give a light to others. Death and dying are never mentioned and ghost stories are totally taboo. References to the past year are also avoided as everything should be turned toward the New Year and a new beginning. Everyone should refrain from using foul language and bad or unlucky words. Negative terms and the word "four" (Ssu) which sounds like the word for death, are not to be uttered. If you cry on New Year's Day you will cry all through the year. Therefore, children are tolerated and are not spanked, even though they are mischievous. (I would never had get away with that one for sure)

Personal Appearance and Cleanliness
On New Year's Day you are not suppose to wash your hair because it would mean you would have washed away good luck for the New Year. Red clothing is preferred during this festive occasion. Red is considered a bright, happy color, sure to bring the wearer a sunny and bright future. It is believed that appearance and attitude during New Year's sets the tone for the rest of the year. Children and unmarried friends, as well as close relatives are given Lai See, little red envelopes with crisp and new one dollar bills inserted for good fortune.

More New Year Superstitions
For those most superstitious, before leaving the house to call on others, the Almanac should be consulted to find the best time to leave the home and the direction which is most auspicious to head out. The first person one meets and the first words heard are significant as to what the fortunes would be for the entire year. It is a lucky sign to see or hear songbirds or red-colored birds or swallows. It is considered unlucky to greet anyone in their bedroom so that is why everyone, even the sick, should get dressed and sit in the living room. Do not use knives or scissors on New Year's Day as this may cut off fortune.


While many Chinese people today may not believe in these do's and don'ts, these traditions and customs are still practiced. These traditions and customs are kept because most families realize that it is these very traditions, whether believed or not, that provide continuity with the past and provide the family with an identity, the Chinese identity.