Finding luck in the Chinese New Year

My first experience with Chinese New Year occurred shortly after my family moved to Canada. We lived in a townhouse complex and on their New Year’s Eve, our Chinese neighbours blared their karaoke music loudly until late into night.

Growing up in South Africa, my knowledge of the Chinese culture was very limited. I knew one Chinese person (a boy named Jim in my Grade 2 class), and my family occasionally ordered Chinese take-out (I liked chicken chowmein, spring rolls, and White Rabbit candies).

However, when I moved to Canada, the number of Chinese children in my classes multiplied and so did my opportunities to learn more about the Chinese culture and the many other cultures that make up the beautiful mosaic we call ‘Canada’.

So, to celebrate the New Year of our Chinese countrymen, here are a few interesting facts about the holiday.

Following the lunar-solar calendar, the Chinese New Year typically falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice and celebrates the advent of spring.

While customs and traditions vary widely, the celebration is a time to gather with family and look forward to a new year filled with good luck. To prepare for this, families typically give the house a good cleaning the day before to sweep away any lingering ill-fortune and make way for the good fortune of a fresh new year.

However, while they clean their houses, people are not supposed to wash their hair on New Year’s Day. This would mean washing away good luck for the coming year.

To the Chinese, the new year is a time to forget all grudges and wish peace and happiness for everyone. Debts are paid back and children receive little red envelopes filled with money (called lai see) from their elders. Because red is considered a bright, happy colour that symbolizes a sunny future, people wear red clothing and adorn their homes with red lanterns and other decorations.

Interestingly, parades became a popular part of Chinese New Year’s celebrations only after people began immigrating to North America during the Gold Rush. The parade was a way to showcase and share their culture and, today, many large western cities with significant Chinese populations host parades that feature colourful flags, banners, lanterns, drums and firecrackers.

Living in the multi-cultural society that we do, I think it’s important to learn about each other’s traditions and this year I’ll be celebrating the new year by feasting on some delicious Chinese cuisine — we do after all have four different Chinese restaurants to choose from in Merritt.

Gung Hei Fat Choy!