Chinese New Year

The Year of the Rabbit

Chinese New Year (CNY) is one of the longest and most important traditional Chinese Holidays which celebrates the beginning of a new year according to the lunar calendar.  The start of the holiday changes every year since it is dictated by the lunar calendar and it last for 15 days. It usually begins the 2nd new moon after winter solstice; typically somewhere between January 21st and February 20th

This is a holiday that is steeped in very deep traditions from the food that is eaten to the activities during the 15 day period.  Here in Malaysia everything that is owned or operated by a chinese closes down for approximately a week.  The town of Kuala Lumpur was like a ghost town.  It was very easy to get around the city which was really nice.

Foods that are served and why:

The biggest event is the CNY meal -- equivalent to our Christmas Dinner -- which is usually served at the home of the most senior member of the family

Foods served are based on their appearance or for what the Chinese word for that items sounds like

Fish (usually served at CNY meal) - the chinese name sounds like both wish and abundance.  It is served whole with the head and tail attached symbolizing a good beginning and ending for the coming year.

Whole Chicken - symbolizing family togetherness

Noodles - represents long life and tradition holds that they cannot be cut or broken

Spring Rolls - shape is similar to gold bars

Tangerines and Oranges - are passed out freely - words sound like luck and wealth respectively.

Sweet Steamed Cakes - 

sweetness for rich sweet life

layers for rising abundance for coming year

round shape for family reunion

Yee Sang - a colorful raw fish salad that is tossed high in the air with chopsticks while saying wishes for continued wealth and prosperity

Many different snacks are kept on hand as there are days specifically for visiting friends and relatives.

love letters

pineapple tarts

peanut biscuits

melon seeds and pumpkin seeds

sweet and salty dried meats

These were snacks we were offered as we visited homes during CNY

Every family thoroughly cleans the house to sweep away any ill fortune in hopes to make way for good incoming luck.  Brooms and dustpans are put away on the first day so that the newly arrived luck cannot be swept away. 

this was put out several days during CNY by our next door neighbors as an offering to their gods.

Windows and doors are decorated with red colored paper cut outs with themes of happiness, wealth and longevity.  Houses are decorated with flowers and kumquat trees - symbolizing prosperity, luck and longevity
Businesses and houses are decorated with red lanterns 

Red or brightly colored clothing is commonly worn throughout the CNY because it is believed that red  scares away evil spirits.  Black and white which represents death and mourning should be avoided


First Day:
A time when families visit the oldest and most senior members of their extended families.


Seventh Day:
Common man’s birthday.  A day when everyone grows one year older.


Eleventh and Twelfth Days:
Family and friends are invited to dinner
We were invited to Desmonds for CNY sweets and snacks

We were invited to Teck Hoe’s cell group for dinner

 We were invited to Chang and Josephines for dinner

 The girls are holding their Ang Pow.....a red envelope given out during CNY to the young and old.  They are filled with money in even multiples

Lion Dances:
Symbolic ritual dances by people in Lion costumes to the sound of beating drums to usher in the new year.  They lions are accompanied by drums and cymbals.  The loud beats of the drums and defining sound of the cymbals together with the face of the dragon or lion dancing aggressively are believed to evict evil sprits from the premises
These troupes of dancer and drummers can be found in neighborhoods, outside businesses and inside businesses.


I apologize in advance for the poor quality of the video.  My camera for some reason was not cooperating but you can still get the general idea of what takes place.

It is fun to get to join in on the traditions of another culture!

...til next time...