Sunday, February 4, 2007
posted by Kate at Sunday, February 04, 2007

The Chinese spread their celebration of New Year over a span of 15 days accompanying it with their many rituals and traditional customs. On the first day of the Chinese New Year celebration, they welcome the gods of the heavens and the earth and avoid non-vegetarian food, as it is believed to bring bad luck. On the second day, the Chinese people pay reverence to their ancestors and to the gods. The third and fourth days are a time for married daughters to pay a visit to their parents’ home along with her husband. They stay indoors on the fifth day to welcome the God of Wealth. This day is also known as Po Woo. From the sixth day onwards to the tenth day of the Chinese New Year, people engage in social activities. On the seventh day of the Chinese New Year, it’s time for the farmers to exhibit their product. This day of the Chinese New Year is also believed to be the birthday of all human beings. Many symbolic food like noodles, fish, meatballs are eaten are eaten on this day.

On the eighth day, the Fujian people offer prayers to Tian Gong, their God of Heaven. On the ninth day innumerable offerings are made in the central courtyard of temples to mark the birthday of the Jade Emperor. They celebrate the tenth, eleventh and twelfth days of the New Year with special people around. The thirteenth day of the Chinese New Year is observed with simple meals like rice congee and mustard greens (choi sum). On the fourteenth day, preparations start in full swing for the grand and glorious Lantern Festival. Finally, the prosperous Chinese New Year comes to a close on the fifteenth day with the Festival of Lanterns.