Kembara PLUS - 2014 Jan Feb

FEATURES
The villagers took the old man’s advice and the Nian was
conquered. On the anniversary of the date, the Chinese
recognize the “passing of the Nian” which is also synonymous
with celebrating the new year.
The date of Chinese New Year changes each year as it is
based on the lunar calendar. Because Japan, Korea, Mongolia,
Tibet and Vietnam also celebrate the new year based on the
Chinese lunisolar calendar, the preferred and politically correct
greeting these days would be “Happy Lunar New Year”.
2014 GALLOPS IN
Gong Xi Fa Cai!
The new Moon on January 31 begins the year of the Wood Horse, a time of fast victories,
unexpected adventure, and surprising romance. According to astrologists and feng shui experts,
it is an excellent year for travel. Energy is high and production is rewarded. Decisive action, not
procrastination, brings victory. But you have to act fast in a Horse year. Events move so quickly in
a Horse year that you don’t want to gallop off in the wrong direction.
Chinese New Year is rooted in much a celebration of
spring just like Easter or Passover. The New Year was
likely the start of preparations for a new growing
season. However, according to legend, the Chinese
New Year celebration started out of fear.
On this day, families travel long distances to meet and make
merry. The reunion feast on New Year’s Eveis a time of family
bonding and a tradition not to be missed. Some families may
invite a lion dance troupe as a symbolic ritual to usher in the
Chinese New Year as well as to evict bad spirits from the
premises. Members of the family who are married also give
red packets containing cash known as lai see or angpow, a
form of blessings and to suppress the aging and challenges
associated with the coming year, to junior members of the
family, mostly children and teenagers.
The Chinese New Year festivities last for 15 days, ending
with Chap Goh Mei. In Malaysia and Singapore, this day is
celebrated by individuals seeking for a love partner, where
single women would write their contact number on mandarin
oranges and throw it in a river or a lake while single men would
collect them and eat the oranges. The taste is an indication of
their possible love: sweet represents a good fate while sour
represents a bad fate.
Angpow is a form of blessings
Wearing red wards off evil and brings good luck
It tells a story of a terrible mythical monster who
preyed on villagers. The lion-like monster’s name
was Nian which is also the Chinese word for “year.”
A wise old man counsels the villagers to ward off
the evil Nian by making loud noises with drums
and firecrackers and hanging red paper cutouts and
scrolls on their doors because for some reason, the
Nian is scared of the color red.
A parade recreating the passing of the Nian
Winter boots for sale at a pedestrian mall
Celebrating the lunar new year with parade, dance and food
5 KEMBARA PLUS ONLINE JANUARI/FEBRUARI 2014 6 KEMBARA PLUS ONLINE JANUARI/FEBRUARI 2014