CHINESE NEW YEAR

The first day of the 1st lunar month . Falls in January or February . Also called “ GONG XI FA CAI ” means peace be upon you and sustenance . Begin with the family gathering . Celebrated for 15 days .

PREPARATIONS BEFORE CNY

House cleaning .- To remove all bad luck in the previous year before celebrating new year .

Decorate their living room with vases of pretty blossom, platters of oranges and tangerines etc .

Collect and pay the debts . - As a symbol of prosperity .

Ritual feast at parent’s house .- As a symbol of union .

PREPARATIONS BEFORE CNY

Playing the firework .- symbolizes prosperity and profit .

PLATTERS

DURING CNY

ANG POW .- Red packets containing “ lucky money ” .

Encouraged wearing new clothes and red colour .- As a symbol of goodness in thats year .

Come and visiting each other also exchange the gift .- To tied our relationship .

Preparing sweet cake for the dishes . - As a symbol sustenance .

DURING CNY

Give the orange mandarin to guest .- as a symbol of luxury .

Chinese Lion Dance- Lion Dance is energetic and entertaining. The aim is to collect money or contribution from rich people. The dance is almost always performed to the beat of the tagu, the Chinese drum, and the clanging of cymbals.

Dragon Dance- represents supernatural power and goodness in Chinese culture. Its is to bring good luck and prosperity for the year to come. Usually requiring a team of over 60 people, this fantastic performance is a dazzling display of perfect co-ordination, skill and grace.

PROHIBITION DURING CNY

Unkind words , vulgar language and quarrels are avoided .

Sweeping of the house .- Outflow of luck .

Knives and scissors are not to be used .- Cutting of luck .

15-Day Celebration Of CNY

1st Day Welcoming of the gods of the heaven and the earth.

2nd Day Chinese pray to their ancestor as well as to all the gods.

3rd & 4th Day Days for son in laws to pay respect to their parents in law.

5th Day Also known as “Po Woo” -people stay home to welcome the God

of Wealth

6th -10th Day Chinese visit their relatives and friends

freely

7th Day Day for farmers to display their produces

8th Dayo Fujian people have another

family reunion dinner -the pray to Tian Gong, the

God of Heaven at midnight.9th Dayo To make offerings to the

Jade Emperor10th -12th Day o Friends and relatives should

be invited for dinner

13th Day Have simple rice congee and mustard greens (choi sum) to cleanse the system

14th -15th Day Preparation to celebrate the Lantern Festival (15th night)

-On the 15th ,celebration Chap Goh Meh also known as Yuan Siaw

Lion Dances

Fireworks

Mandarin Fruits

Lantern Festival

Traditional New Year Foods Chinese family will eat a vegetarian

dish called “ Jai ” - root @ fibrous vegetables that

attributes various superstitious aspects,for example :-

- Lotus seed-signify having many male offspring

- Black moss seaweed-is a homonym for exceeding in wealth and happiness

-Bamboo shoots-is a term which sounds like “wishing that everything would be well”

-the chicken must be presented with a head , tail , and feet to symbolize completeness

-noodles should be uncut ,as they represent a long life

Jai Food

Moon Cake

REFERENCES

Tourism Malaysia Pamplet

Encyclopedia of

Malaysia

PPA Shah Alam