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No, that’s not a typo. It IS the new year! (January 26, 2009). Points to you if you knew that I meant the Lunar New Year. A number of people also call it “Chinese New Year.” And honestly, under any name, its a great holiday. Couldn’t find a different graphic for “year” – so… yay you learn brush strokes! . I remember multicultural fairs in elementary school – and the Asian [American] kids always got a lot of love. Once I discovered this holiday, I was sold – and its one of my favorites. First of all, it’s a bit special because it’s not widely celebrated in the West. But at the same time, it doesn’t *exclude* people from celebrating it. . |
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For certain religions, there’s a lot more implicated – ancestor and whatever-ness, but… I’m not going to talk about that. I’m going to talk about what in this holiday appeals to me. Money, and Food. And yes, both those words had to be capitalized. (Heh – because isn’t that what all the holidays are all about? :X) . Where this holiday is celebrated, it’s a holiday. You get week(s) off work and school, and your boss gives you money. Like a bonus, but more of a gift, in these little red envelopes. Kids get them from relatives too – and family friends. Well, it depends on the families. Supposedly there’s an unspoken rule that you stop getting money once you’re married, as well. |
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Now – the food. It’s hard to translate – but there are certain “auspicious” dishes. Wherein the food sounds like some other generally positive word, or the food *looks* like something. Dumplings are popular because they look like gold ingots. Fish, pork, chicken, duck, beef… Noodles for long life, this delicious cake – because the name sounds like the phrase for increasing in wealth and general goodness yearly… Oh right- and those nice fat envelopes full of money? You’re supposed to put it under your pillow and sleep on it for a few days – because that means it’ll bring you increased wealth. Hey whatever- if you’re willing to sleep on a tooth, why not a envelope full of money? |  |
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Anyway – it’s all cute in theory, generally happy inspiring. Of course there are the fabulous lion dances, parades, and fireworks. (Lion dance not to be confused with the dragon dance…) And lots of faux celebrations – but as long as people have fun and nothing too wrong is given as fact – what’s the harm? . I’ve included a video of a lion dance because I think they’re fun. However, don’t ask me why or how on earth Asian people think those (costumes) look like lions. I simply cannot answer that. After some searching – I found that countries around the world have lion dance teams. Very cool – including Australia, and the US! I’m a tiny bit sad I couldn’t find one with one of those *huge* drums. |
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But anyway, yes – Chinese/Lunar New Year! A great holiday. What’s your favorite holiday? Is there some relatively obscure one that you like to celebrate? Oh right- and this is the year of the Ox. So kudos to you, if its your special year! As a helpful hint, they only roll around once every 12 years, so live it up! . I’m quite a fan of St. Patrick’s Day as well. Even when I was little. All those shamrocks- and green cookies – and in sixth grade we had the most delicious Shamrock Candy grams ever. I missed it last year, but I hope to get to Boston this year for St. Paddy’s. |
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Or – because I got distracted while writing this post (Hey! Give me some credit – I stayed on track for like 3 hours finding, photo shopping, etc. images!) – what random thing are you passionate about? I’ve mentioned it before, but I’m a huge Classics geek. Especially classical mythology. If anyone ever wants to discuss the finer points of Meleager’s romance with Atalanta, and his uncles Toxeus and Plexippus, I’d be happy to indulge. (And what’s scary is I didn’t even have to look that up.) |  |
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| Oh right- and since I say I love Chinese New Year and all – I’m giving away a book to one random commenter today. Seriously. A trade size autographed romance. It’ll count for my January drawing. Good luck, happiness and prosperity to you in the new year! 🙂 |
Look at his wittle ears flapping!! So cute! And I like my sheep – since I was born in the year of the sheep/ram (I do not acknowledge those who use goat for my year).
😀
c2 – For serious. Goat? Does not want – kthnxbai.
As for the lion – I know! He’s so very expressive! And I like watching it through the scoring to see those fantastic jumps (they’re in part 1 but I found part 2 more entertaining.)
Oh right – and in general -if you can’t tell what the pictures are, the order of the zodiac is as follows:
Mouse/Rat; Ox/Cow; Tiger; Rabbit; Dragon; Snake; Horse; Sheep/Ram; Monkey; Chicken/Rooster; Dog; Pig/Boar 🙂
I believe I am a rooster…..
And my fav holiday is Halloween! 😀
Natasha – Heh – 1981 birthdays are roosters (and add/subtract 12 years as needed). And Halloween! I like the candy 😉 – do you throw big parties and have elaborate costumes?
I was in Malaysia for New Year so I saw all the Chinese celebrations, it was great! Even though the ‘real’ Chinese New Year isn’t until later, the decorations are often put up during Western New Year (or at least, they were in KL, maybe because of the mix of cultures there?).
I am a snake and utterly adorable in the graphic.
St. Patrick’s Day is my fave holiday.
Awesome decorations!
I think my favorite holiday is Thanksgiving, because it’s my husband’s favorite and it makes him so happy.
I think I am the dragon… off to check though
Holy hell, I’m the year of the pig. Now, ain’t that somthin’. Have no idea what to say about that!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig_(zodiac)
The Bigger Idiot – heh, what a handle. OOoo Malaysia! How was it? Hm, I can totally see them double capitalizing on the decorations. Why not, right? 🙂
Liviania – It is, isn’t it!? I looked for the cutest graphics I could find. Because we’re all adorable, of course.
willaful – That’s so cute! And how nice – I’m a big fan of Thanksgiving too. The history, the food, love it all.
Sybil – Heh – are you a dragon?
Sandy – Isn’t the Asian zodiac so fun? I’m sure it’s very noble and everything 😀
OH DUH! I can’t believe this slipped my mind – today is also Australia Day!!! What with the time difference it may be a bit late – but still. Happy Australia Day to our Aussie friends!
Happy Chinese New Year. I’m wearing red today to ward off the evil spirits. I wouldn’t mind having some dumplings today.
Jane – Happy Chinese New Year to you too! I’m wearing red as well 🙂 I’ve been wearing red since last Thursday. (I like to/try to make it a week thing, leading up to New Years. Just for kicks.) I didn’t have dumplings tonight, but I did last night – and lost of delicious food… and O_o haha pizza at my meeting.
Yes I am a dragon, fitting yes…
Sybs – lol very nice. So you’re good luck to Buddhists (and possibly other religions?) and/but evil to Christians? 😛
Happy Year of the Ox, everyone! Yes, it’s great to be a little kid as you will surely receive lots of red packets from your parents and aunts and uncles and any other adult (un) luckily enough to come in contact with you today! And when you get married, it gets reversed, you get to give out all the packets now to anyone single and younger than you! I remember my sister telling me when she worked for a while in hong kong, all these single people would go around the office targeting married co-workers – in hopes of receiving a red packet!!!
Allison – hahaha I’ve never heard of that! That is fantastic! Lol – I’d totally do that too 😀 I love it. Thanks for sharing!
I’m a rat. =)
I used to like New Year’s Eve (not the Chinese one) the best. Right now I’m in a transistion mode (I’m too indecisive to stick with one fave), so I don’t know.
St. Paddy’s Day in Chicago is awesome. Get a mint shake at a big downtown McD’s, look at the green river, cruise the sidewalks watching crazy drunks… yup, fun, fun. Hope I make it there this yr.
Jo – Hmm… Chi-town would be fun. But Boston! Although – green river – that’s intense. Hee I haven’t had a shamrock shake in forever. I’m sure other places have similar things though… I know one school – the University of Miami (OH) has “Green Beer Day” around St. Patrick’s – and the alumni bring it to where ever they go. 😛 [I’ve seen some bring green food dye to a bar so they could have Green Beer.]
well it’s not a holiday on a calender but here it would be the Niagara Grape and Wine festival. Any excuse to drink lots and lots of wine and usually lots of bars on parade route
Mmm. Noodles. Now I’m hungry for some! Happy Chinese New Year!
happy new year, year of the horse for me, it is my personaly teh horse. happy to be an chinese american
Christa – Count me in on that festival! It sounds so nice – and I know Canada is well known for its ice wines.
Nicole – I hope you got those noodles 😉
kh – Happy New Year to you too! So the past two days must’ve been pretty special for you! How did you celebrate it?
In celebration, we made dumplings last night, Mom, me, and Sr. Kidlet. They were so good that there wasn’t any left after dinner. Yum. 🙂
Sherry – Yum! Dumplings! Perfect New Years food 🙂 Heh – “technically” now you’re be making dumplings every day, by “normal” New Years standards, yes?
Also – everyone – I think I forgot to add/link you to part one of the lion dance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fI1mJ-LRWoE
lots of ofood and cash .
kh – I love it! That’s definitely the way it should be done – good for you!
Hey, great post.
Psst Sybil, I’m a dragon too. I was always very proud of that when I would discover it on a restaurant placemat. Isn’t it the coolest?
Hee – dare I say it? 😉 You to are… dragon ladies! 😀
I am late to the party, but had to say a quick “Gong Xi Fa Cai!” Lunar New Year is a fun holiday. The food is grand and the get togethers I’ve been invited to have been fascinating. The only thing I am not fond of is the strings of firecrackers that are lit…those things are loud enough to make you think you have lost your hearing.
Little Lamb Lost – It’s never too late to join the party! Especially for the Lunar New Year 😉 As for the strings of firecrackers… I’ve never experienced that personally – I can imagine its painfully loud.
I was born in the year of the dragon. I breathe fire.
I love it. And yes, yes you do, katiebabs 😉
memememe! lol
hope i’m not too late!
lol! Ok, dd03 – I’ll let you in as a last straggler. Lucky for you the blog is on central time… now we’ll just have to see what the randomizer says 😀
was there a winner
kh – yup, a winner was announced here, http://goodbadandunread.com/2009/02/02/you-are-winz0r/, in the You are Winz0r post.