SPRING CLEANING BEFORE CHINESE NEW YEAR
Spring cleaning before the festivities is believed to remove bad luck
and welcome prosperity.
Some believe that spring cleaning should stop
from the eve of Chinese New Year till the end of the 15-day CNY period, or good
luck and fortune will be swept away.
HANGING UP CHUN LIAN (SPRING COUPLETS) AT THE MAIN DOOR
During the Han dynasty, people pasted drawings of two gods on the front
door of their house to ward off evil spirits.
The practice has evolved to the pasting of auspicious characters and
couplets on doors, in the hope of ushering good fortune into the household.
REUNION DINNER
Before modern and affordable forms of transportation came about, it was
difficult for family members living in various parts of China to return to
their hometown more than once a year.
Chinese New Year was the only time when they would make the journey home
for a reunion. Today, the dinner is traditionally held on the eve of Chinese
New Year and serves as a time for family bonding.
EATING YUSHENG
Yusheng (raw fish salad) has been the speciality of China's
Guangdong province for centuries and it is eaten there all year round.
It was brought to Singapore by Cantonese immigrants in the 1940s
and was later popularised as a Chinese New Year dish by chefs from Lai Wah
Restaurant in Bendemeer Road.
Today's colourful version of the dish and the practice of eating
it during Chinese New Year are said to be unique to Singapore and Malaysia.
EATING NIAN GAO
In Mandarin, “gao” means high or tall, so people eat the cake so that
they will have greater growth and success in the new year.
WEARING NEW CLOTHES AND WEARING RED
In the past, people were less affluent and bought and wore new clothes
only on important occasions such as weddings and Chinese New Year.
Wearing new clothes during Chinese New Year symbolises a fresh start to
the year. Red is the colour of choice as it is seen as an auspicious hue that
symbolises happiness, vitality and prosperity.
ELDERS GIVING RED PACKETS TO THE YOUNG
More than 1,000 years ago, parents in China gave their children 100
coins, called "ya sui qian", in the belief that they would live to
100 years old.
These coins were presented on the eve of Chinese New Year so that the
children could use them to buy clothes or save them.
During the Song Dynasty in the 12th century, giving money or "li
shi" became a common practice. The "li shi" packets were
probably made of silk or cloth.
It was in the late 19th century that people started using red packets
and calling them "hongbao".
EXCHANGING MANDARIN ORANGES
This began as a Southern Chinese custom. The Cantonese pronunciation of giving Mandarin oranges - "song gam" - is the same as "giving gold", therefore it signifies wishing prosperity upon the recipient.
This began as a Southern Chinese custom. The Cantonese pronunciation of giving Mandarin oranges - "song gam" - is the same as "giving gold", therefore it signifies wishing prosperity upon the recipient.
