Happy Chinese New Year 2019

[StephenAbraham]

It’s the time of the year again. Chinese New Year also known as the Chinese Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival (春节 Chūnjié). The most important and largest festival celebrated by all people of Chinese descent and ethnicity, regardless of location or religion. Chinese New Year is celebrated not just by the Chinese in China, but by all of Chinese descent, and it’s likely that almost every country in the world could have at least a small Chinese community. Chinese New Year also marks the start of a new year in the traditional Chinese calendar.

This year in 2019, Chinese New Year fall on 5th Feb 2019. The main celebration covers 15 days from the first day until the 15th day (actually total 16 days if we count the eve of New Year which is also very important). This festival also marks possibly the largest migration of people for an ethnic celebration because it is customary for everyone who can travel to head back to their family/parent’s home for a family reunion. This is especially true in China where many from the main cities return to their villages and trains, transport are filled up to the brim.

One may observe that there are a few things associated with Chinese New year.

• Each year, one of the different 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac takes over the theme of the year.
• Chinese New Year is always associated with the color red. People wear red clothes. There are red cloths, decorations and banners mounted in front of homes. There are red fire crackers set off during celebrations. Most events have very loud sounds. Which all goes back to the legend on how ancient villages in China frigthened off the mystical “Nian” monster which was afraid of the color red and loud noises. Hence part of the reason why the celebration is also called 过年 (Guo Nian or cross over year/nian), which sounds like cross over the time of the monster Nian.
• Red packets 红包 (Hóngbāo) usually containing money are given to children/unmarried people by married one as a sign of giving and receiving good luck and fortune.
• Lots of food, and almost always with a lot of excess which is almost mandatory because it signifies abundance and wealth and having more than needed. This is only practised during the new year.
• Lots of cultural activities usually with lots of loud sounds such as Lion Dance, Dragon Dance, setting off fire crackers (some countries do not allow fire crackers because of risks involved, so many would just play a recording of firecrackers), all going back to the legend of frightening off the Nian monster.
• Everyone wishing each other
  新年快乐 (Xīnnián kuàilè) Happy New Year
  恭喜发财 (Gōngxǐ fācái) Wish you prosperity and wealth

Different communities may have different practices during the 15 days. Where we are in Malaysia, this is the usual common practice.
Most family members would start journeying back to their home town 1 or more days before the Eve of Chinese New Year. And decorate houses in full red.
Day 1 Eve - Every family member gather together in the ancestral home or parent’s home to have the first Reunion Dinner for Chinese New Year, known as 团年饭 (Tuán niánfàn)
Day 1 (First day) - Getting up early in the morning, and wear red clothes. Wishing parents and family members first thing in the morning. Also time when parents and elders give Red packets 红包 (Hóngbāo) to children and unmarried younger people.
Then followed by a family lunch together, with a lot of food.
After lunch, usually it is time to go out to visit relatives.
Dinner on the first day could be at home or joining a relative’s family for reunion.
Day 2 (Second day) - Getting up early in the morning, and wear red clothes again. Then heading out to visit close friends
Day 3-14 - Depending on how much holidays one have, the main celebrations starts with a high from the first day, and tapers down towards the 14th day.
Day 15 (Lantern Festival) 元宵节 Yuánxiāo jié - This is the final day of the Chinese New Year celebration. This is also another fairly important event which I will detail in a separate post.

One of the main highlights of Chinese New Year is most certainly the food. Chinese culture deems important during Chinese New Year to have lots of food, and almost always with a lot of excess which is almost mandatory because it signifies abundance and wealth and having more than needed. This of course depends on the financial situation of the family, but even in poorer families, there should be excess of at least a bit of food after meals, even if just some rice etc.
Some of the main food dishes that is associated with Chinese New Year (not exhausive list). Many of these food have intrinsic meaning in Chinese culture.

• Nian Gau (Sticky rice cake) (年糕 Niángāo), which signifies every year to have some growth and improvement
• Dumplings (饺子 Jiǎozi) and spring rolls (春卷 Chūnjuǎn), which signifies wealth and prosperity
• Noodles, usually very long uncut ones, which signifies long life and heatlh.
• Fish, which signifies abundance
• Shrimp/Prawns, which signifies happiness, laughter
• Yee Sang (Yui Sheng), which is a salad mixture and raw fish, which signifies unity, togetherness
• Many other vegetables, meats and local delicacies
• Mandarin Oranges and Pineapples, which signifies wealth and prosperity
  and many more.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Read more about our Malaysia Local Guides activities during Chinese New Year time

Our previous Malaysia Local Guides Chinese New Year 2018 meet-up in Penang
https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/Let-s-Meet-Up/RECAP-WW-Photo-Walk-Penang-Malaysia-25-Feb-2018/m-p/652000/highlight/true#M51323

Our previous Malaysia Local Guides Chinese New Year 2019 meet-up in Chinatown Kuala Lumpur
https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-Discussion/Malaysia-Local-Guides-explore-Chinatown-Kuala-Lumpur-26th-Jan/m-p/1259334#M271864

Our upcoming (join us!) Malaysia Local Guides Chinese New Year 2019 meet-up in Penang
RSVP Below
https://maps.google.com/localguides/meetup/penang-cny-photo-walk

So, here, I take this opportunity with my other Local Guides in Malaysia, wishing everyone a very Happy and Properous Chinese New Year. Have a safe journey home and back.
新年快乐万事如意 Xīnnián Kuàilè Wànshì Rúyì
(Happy New Year and may a million things go well in your favor)
Hear the pronounciation here

Note: All photos, videos in this post and links are self captured.

Share your own photos and experiences below in reply

[StephenAbraham]

Wishing all who celebrate including all our Google managers and moderators, Connect Moderators, and all Local Guides a most happy and prosperous Chinese New Year.

新年快乐万事如意 Xīnnián Kuàilè Wànshì Rúyì
(Happy New Year and may a million things go well in your favor)

[TheEagleEye]

Thanks for sharing interesting photos and detailed explanation @StephenAbraham . I have seen some TV coverage of the Chinese New Year celebrations and it look magnificent. My wife and I hope to join festivities in the future.

[YK1001]

Thanks a lot @StephenAbraham !

Though you, I am getting more familiar with Malaysia everyday!

[MoniDi]

Hey @StephenAbraham ,

That is something else! The Chinese New Year is so colourful and festive, I have never seen anything like it. I wish I could visit China some day and I would want to see the New Year’s celebrations.

We have a big event on New Year’s Eve as well but it lasts only one day and perhaps the morning after. We have a lot of food including banitsa with good wishes. Visiting the family and seeing a lot of friends during that time is the best thing ever. It is that time of the year, when everybody is home to see their beloved ones. Sometimes presents are included, especially for the kids.

On New Year’s Eve at midnight we listen to the President’s Speech and after that we dance Dunavsko horo - a traditional folk dance. One thing you should be careful about is there are a lot of fireworks and piratki - they are small fireworks with the size of cigarettes, which make loud noise when they explode. Piratki are thrown everywhere from the balconies and even people on the streets through them just for the fun. It gets noisier with every hour leading up to midnight.

Needless to say, people get drunk but they are happy and full with hope for the upcoming year!

[davidhyno]

Thank you @StephenAbraham for this detailed and very interesting description of the 2019 Chinese New Year!

“Each year, one of the different 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac takes over the theme of the year.”

So which animal is celebrated this year?

Does this animal have any particular characteristics that, in some way, can influence the year 2019?
I’m very curious!!!

Thanks again also for the beautiful photos!!!

Bye,

David

[afrademon]

wow… amazing!.. i also celebrated and enjoyed this day in my country Bangladesh!

[OSAMA]

Happy happy Chinese New year bro @StephenAbraham wish you all the best and year full of happiness and success

[RadieN]

Hi @StephenAbraham ,

Thank you so much for this amazing post! It’s a perfect explanation of the Spring Festival.

Happy Chinese New Year to you and all the Chinese communities around the world! I hope the Year of the Pig is very happy, prosperous and successful for you! 新年快乐！身体健康，心想事成，万事如意！

Have fun at the Meet-up! I’m looking forward to see your recap.

[Jesi]

Happy New Year to everyone who celebrates it!

I learned a lot from your post, @StephenAbraham , thank you for sharing it. I hope your meet up goes well, have fun!

I’m going to go to Buenos Aires Chinese New Year celebration and hopefully eat some Chinese food, the food in your photos look too good!

[AngieYC]

Hello @StephenAbraham ,

This is an amazing post and it makes me miss home so much. Too bad this year I can’t spend the Chinese New Year with the family but will try to bring the festive vibes here.

Do you also have the tradition that you have to wear new clothes for the Chinese New Year?.

[StephenAbraham]

@TheEagleEye If you have a Chinese community there in Prague or if there is a small Chinatown or such, it could be a good place to visit to join in some festivities. There should be a lot of red decorations. If you do visit there, take some photos and share with us here.

[StephenAbraham]

@davidhyno This year for 2019, it’s the year of the Boar/Pig. Last year in 2018, it was the year of the Dog. Next year 2020, it will be the year of the Rat. Other animals in sequence after rat, will be Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, and Rooster and the cycle goes on again.

[Photo above] Hong Bau Red Packet with money and the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals

Chinese zodiac, astrology and feng shui is rather complicated and not just based on an animal per say. There are also considerations for the elements (Earth, Wood, Fire, Water, Metal), celestial influence, earthly influence etc. And the traditional belief is that each year’s animal, elements, influence affects differently to people born under different animals, elements etc. You can try to search online if you wish to know more about this.

[StephenAbraham]

@AngieYC Thanks. We will celebrate in spirit with yourself there. Will visit you some day and we can go for some nice Chinese food.

And yes, Chinese New Year for most will include new, bright red clothes.

[Below] That’s the t-shirt I bought to wear for the first day of Chinese New Year… Has all the zodiac signs on it.

[Photo above] Hong Bau Red Packet with money and the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals

[BeatrizAguilar]

@StephenAbraham happy new year for you and your family.

Mental note: Wear red and have an empty stomach

[KarenVChin]

Great post @StephenAbraham .You did an awesome job covering all the finer nuances of what Chinese New Year is and how it is celebrated. In Cantonese, we say “Gung Hay Fat Choy.”

When my grandma was still alive, my family would get together for both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. This would be 40-50 of my immediate family getting together. My grandma would spend days cleaning and cooking prior to this.

What one of the New Year dishes she made that is common to have if you are Cantonese is called Buddha’s Delight, or luo han zhai 罗汉斋 (Mandarin), or lo han jai (Cantonese).

The "black hair’ you see in the photo is called “fat choy” in Cantonese. It is a black hair like moss. It symbolizes prosperity and is a traditional component in jai. There are many ways to make this dish, depending on your family’s tradition. My grandma would also add tofu puffs or skins to what you see here. Here is a Jai recipe that is similar to what she would make every year. Do you eat this too?

Besides the steamed fish and nian gao, she would also serve oysters and chicken. She was a stickler for all her grandkids to eat the jai and to be sure we all ate every bit of rice from our rice bowls so that we would have good luck and that we would not go hungry in the new year.

The other thing my grandma would do is have pink blossoming flower branches with oranges, tangerines with perfect green leaves (she would carefully shop for these), and pomelo prominently displayed in my grandparent’s home. I learned years later these blossoming flower branches are called “Flowering Quince” Like the tangerines, she was very particular about these. They had to have tight buds (not flowering yet) and be bright pink.

Currently, I have been looking to find this shrub to plant in my yard. I learned that Flowering Quince comes in different shades of red, pink, and white. They always bloom during Chinese New Year.

I found this red one at my local garden nursery last week during my hunt for the fuschia pink variety;

Do you have this in KL?

The biggest Chinese New Year Parade outside of Asia happens in San Francisco. I have fond memories of watching this rain or shine (it rains more times than not) while growing up (plus popping firecrackers with my cousins). Besides being on local TV, about 1 million people watch it live every year.

And my grandma and her generation would get tickets to attend the Miss Chinatown USA Beauty Pageant, I remember going with her to see this as a child couple of times. You will love this - she and her friends would judge how good the contestants Chinese speaking capabilities were. This component was very important.

After my grandma passed away, as a family we now just go to a Chinese restaurant and order the set Chinese New Year Banquet Dinner because no one wants to cook that meal from scratch. Sad, right?

Cheers,

Karen

[AngieYC]

Hello @StephenAbraham ,

I actually got the chance to have a nice Chinese food this weekend, and it makes me feels a little bit like home.

That is a nice looking t-shirt, can’t believe Chinese New Year is tomorrow, are you ready with all of the preparation?, because it’s the last day you can clean the house.

[abdulhai3722]

@ Celebrating Happy New Year— Happy Lunar Year @Chuc Mung Nam moi at Hanoi in Vietnam.

[Bokor_Rahman]

What’s the name of that dish ? How is this make of ?

[abdulhai3722]

One type of BBQ – Pork frying