Written By: Mary Anne Simpson
As the lunar New Year, February 18 approaches in China and around the world families are preparing for the celebration of the Year of the Fire Pig. The New Year's Eve celebration which is the highlight of the season will take place in cities and villages around the world. . This is a time for families to reunite and celebrate by having an elaborate dinner on the Luna New Year's Eve. Also see my previous article on the meaning of the Year of the Pig: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/94535/the_year_of_the_chinese_fire_pig_2007.html
The Importance of Food:
A significant portion of the celebration centers on foods which are symbolic of various attributes and characteristics. According to the Ministry of Culture, Taiwan, fish is a symbol of good fortune and in Mandarin is "yu" which translated means enough to spare. It is the good fortune of having a surplus so that food can be shared with others. The fish is ever present during the celebration of the lunar New Year both in food and decorations. Garlic chives in Mandarin is "jiou cai," and stands for everlasting. The turnip, "cai tou" means good omen. Fish ball, "yu wan and meat balls "rou wan," means reunion.
In addition a rice pudding drink called "nian-gao" is served. This refreshment is designed to help the person progress to a higher station in life and gain prosperity in a methodical fashion. A type of rice cakes are served and tradition dictates that the wider the gap in the top of the cake, the more fortune will bestow you in the coming year. Dumplings, "shuei jao," are served to bring about bountiful fortune and wealth to all who partake of them.
Taiwanese believe that tradition is important. The Taiwanese dinner called, "The Five Blessings for the New Year," represents longevity, wealth, peace, wisdom and righteousness. All of these virtues are signified by a different type of food arranged on the plate representing the five blessings. Various idiosyncratic differences between Taiwan and Beijing do exist with regards to customs. As an example, in Taiwan sweeping and cleaning is discouraged during the first five days of the Lunar New Year celebration because it is possible you may sweep away the good luck in the home. In Beijing, one is discouraged from cleaning and sweeping on the first day for the same reason.
Traditions:
Both Taiwanese and Beijing celebrators are discouraged from getting haircuts during the first month of the Lunar New Year. Both are cautioned not to conjure up bad thoughts of ghosts, diseases and discouraging comments during the celebration. Cooking during the first five days is discouraged because the preparation of food would require the party to touch knives and scissors. Both prepare "spring couplets," which are red squares with inscribed blessings like, wealth, good fortune, longevity, and springtime. The color is red, because it scares away bad spirits. The spring couplets are hung upside down or pasted upside down. the Mandarin word is "dao" which is analogous to the word arrival. Spring is the coming or arrival of prosperity.
During the New Year celebration time is set aside to honor one's ancestors and incense is burned throughout the celebration in remembrance of those that have passed on. The Temple is also a focal point of the celebration. During the celebration followers bring gifts and offer prayers in the Temple for the future and pay homage to their past. As with most tradition, the rituals are rooted in the legends of the culture. The Lunar New Year celebration goes back over 2,000 years.
The loud noises, dragons, lions and color red are for the purpose of scaring away a vicious beast called "Nian." Nian was believed by the ancient people to come on New Year's Eve and destroy and devour them. In order to scare Nian away, the ancient people would paste red slips of paper on their door, set off fire crackers and keep torches lit all night. Nian hates the color red and sounds of fire crackers and light. On the morning of New Year's day, people greet one another by saying, "congratulations." Meaning, a feeling of victory that you made it through another possible run in with Nian.
The Lunar New Year is an important tradition in the Chinese culture because it offers followers an opportunity to clean the slate. It is a time, to forgive and forget. It is a time to bury past debts, make offers of resolution and complete unfinished business, according to the Beijing Official Gateway Website. Beijing has 36 Sister Cities around the globe. Two of the oldest are New York City and Washington D.C.
The state of New York passed a bill in 2004 making the Chinese Lunar New Year a public holiday in honor of its nearly 30 percent residents who celebrate the holiday. Chinese heritage has made a significant contribution to the United States. Beijing will host the 2008 Olympics.
Superstition and Predictions for 2007-Year of the Fire Pig:
On the brink of the New Year, the International Herald Tribune on February 14 reports that various Chinese astrologers are predicting a year of turmoil, waring factions in the Middle East and upheaval in international affairs. The Fire Pig represents fire on water. According to Feng Shui expert, Raymond Lo the last time this configuration occurred was in 2002, the year following the September 11 attack on the United States. According to Mr. Lo, "It is anticipated that there will be more international conflicts and disharmony, which will lead to regional warfare, uprising and unrest or the overthrow of governments in certain countries, as reported by IHT.
Various other predictions are made by other Chinese lore experts which could connote a positive year overall. One expert predicts that Kim Jong-Il's position will weaken and that there may be a turnover in power to someone else in North Korea. Other astrologers predict, that while the Middle East and the East may have serious diplomatic conflicts at the end of the period a new order will occur putting to rest the conflict. The IHT article also quotes some astrologers predictions that the United States will have an interest rate hike in the third quarter. In addition a massive explosion or fire will occur in the United States in June or July causing world attention.
In Japan an astrologer predicts a great earthquake will occur in some city between March and April. He also predicts a conflict between Japan and China will occur which will come to a head on May 5. While the year is tumultuous, most of the astrologers agree that it is not going to be a bad year because out of the turmoil will come greater understanding and openness. On a positive note an astrologer is predicting the birth of a great Chinese leader will occur on June 30 between the hours of 5:00 A.M. and 6:59 A.M. Hong Kong time.
How To Create a Chinese New Year's Eve Celebration:
The important aspect of the celebration is to serve food that encompasses the rich tradition and spiritualism of the Chinese New Year's Eve event.
Adorn your home with Spring Couplets, with red square pieces of paper and write on them words like happiness, contentment, longevity, fortune, wealth, harmony. Place the couplets upside down so the message is well taken as it represents "dao" upside down or arrival of Spring. Follow the tradition of not discussing unpleasant events and try to follow the traditions set forth above.
As far as recipes, Chinese recipes are quite simple. I have found the ingredients in super markets as well as Wal-Mart. The dumpling is a very important aspect of the Chinese New Year's eve celebration. I found the Gyoza wraps for the dumpling locally at Safeway. For easy recipes in preparing the "Five Blessing Dinner," check out http://www.epicurious.com/bonappetit/menus/chineseny_07. The menu is delicious and easy to prepare.
For several great recipes for dumplings, check out: http://chinesefood.about.com/od/potstickers/r/prawnpotsticker.htm. I have prepared variations of the dumpling recipes provided by the About dot com web site. Locating fresh ginger is easy, most store do carry it. Try and use the sesame oil instead of other oils.
As far as the wraps, some stores call them wanton wraps and others call them by their proper name Gyoza wraps. The wraps are very thin and do make an abundance of dumplings, so don't be confused by the compact size of the packaging.
Lastly, the most important aspect of the Chinese tradition is cathartic. The Chinese incorporate the rebirth of the New Year, by shedding the bad events of the past year. It is a time to reconcile differences with friends, family and co-workers. It is a celebration of the new life brought about by Spring.
While some traditions have been superseded by advances in technology and progress, many Chinese and other followers find the New Year event an important aspect of healthy living. While the ancients may have been concerned with "Nian" the ferocious mythical beast, there are modern day realities which resemble Nian's negative attributes like greed, jealousy and hatred.
For more information check out:
http://www.gio.gov.tw/taiwan-website/5-gp/culture/lunar-NY and http://www.breitbart.com/news/2007/02/14/070215043912.onj