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Celebrating The Chinese New Year
In China, the New Year celebration is considered the most important event of the year. Celebrated amongst friends and family, this celebration officially lasts two weeks, (starting with the New Moon and ending with the following Full Moon), but today that protocol has been shortened to accommodate the demands of the commercial world.
Everything associated with the New Year is supposed to represent good fortune, and as a result, many of the customs and rituals are geared to help start the year on the right foot. To single people, good fortune may mean love and romance. To couples, it may mean a child, for the unemployed, it can mean jobs, for students, good grades.
A Sampling of New Years Customs
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The Chinese give their homes a thorough cleaning before the New Year starts to sweep away the bad luck of the preceding year and make their homes ready for good luck. However, brooms and dustpans must be put away on the first day of the year so that luck is not swept away. On New Year's Eve, open every door and window in your home at midnight to let go of the old year.
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To ensure a prosperous and healthy year, you should enhance and stimulate positive energy flow at home, at your business and at work. Some people even give their homes, doors and window-frames a new coat of red paint as red is supposed to scare away evil.
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The color red is used liberally at this time of year. It represents good fortune and happiness and is said to scare aware evil. Consequently, people may wear red clothing and use red decorations throughout their homes. Other auspicious colors are gold and orange, which symbolize wealth and happiness.
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There is a general emphasis to start fresh for the year, so, clothing and shoes are often new and it is customary to get a haircut.
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Typically, red envelopes with money tucked inside are given out as a symbol of good luck. This money should be new money from the bank. It is customary for older people to give money to the young people is let buy something that they like on their own or let them save money for the coming year. The amount is usually an even number as odd numbers are regarded as unlucky.
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There is also specific protocol for "new-year visits" with family, relatives and friends. Certain days are to be spent with family, while other days are allotted for friends. You should greet people who will bring you joy.
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On New Year's Eve, it is customary to pay respect to ancestors and household gods because they are responsible for the fortunes of future generations.
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New Years Food and Serving Tips:
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You should be selective about what you eat. Fish and chicken represent prosperity and long life. You should always present the fish and chicken as a whole, not cut into pieces. The head, tail and feet (for chicken) symbolize completeness.
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Noodles represent longevity. Again, they should not be cut.
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Red meat is not served and one is careful not to serve or eat from a chipped or cracked plate.
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Popular desserts include oranges, Chinese New Year cake and prosperous cakes that look like golden nuggets. It is believed that the higher the cake rises, the better the year will be.
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Auspicious fruits to eat during this period are oranges and tangerines, which are said to bring wealth, good health & long life; tangerines with leaves intact are said to symbolize long-lasting House-of-Love as well as to promote fertility; and persimmons promise happiness and wealth.
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Red dates bring the hope for prosperity; melon seeds for proliferation and lotus seeds mean the family will prosper through time.
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