(Sponsored Video) The other day, my gorgeous little niece in Australia asked for some information to give her teacher about Chinese New Year. He wanted to talk to the class about it. Much to my surprise, my Hong Kong-born Small Person rattled off a list of things she has come to know and clearly love about CNY. The lettuce that hangs from every door-way seemed to be a prominent feature in her mind. Called Cai Qing or "plucking of the greens" - the lion feverishly dances his way to the front of every business, every shop front and every office, dangling the green leafy veg, tied with a red envelope of money and gobbles it up before spitting the lettuce back out (but not the money) -- all in the name of good fortune! It's no surprise this features as one of her more notable memories. Every year in China and particularly Hong Kong, you can hear the sound of the Lion coming. As he gets closer and closer....the cymbals clanging, the drums banging louder and louder with a sense of urgency and excitement! Of course it got me thinking about how having never lived out of Asia, to my now five year old, these age-old yearly traditions will be ingrained in her childhood memory bank. If you live in China it's hard to miss (chūnjié, 春节) otherwise known as Spring Festival or to the average Westerner, 'Chinese New Year' - which begins every February on the first day of the Lunar New Year (Nong Li). To my Small Person, eating 饺子 Jiǎozi over Chinese New Year is probably more natural than throwing a sausage on the barbie for Australia Day. Jiǎozi are of course, dumplings and while these tasty morsels are a year 'round staple in these parts - during Spring Festival they are particularly auspicious. Their crescent moon shape similar to China's gold ingots used in the Ming Dynasty, symbolising prosperity for the year ahead. And who can forget the fire crackers! The Small Person's eyes light up at the thought of these loud explosions livening up the streets! Come midnight, "Bian Pao" are launched in a cacophony of ear splitting eruptions, to scare off evil spirits (or just to make noise -- sleeping is optional) and in northern China, this continues for much of the two week holiday, in backyards on footpaths and in any un-used space, day and night! It's a fire cracker frenzy! It seems the monster Nián is to blame.... if you've been to school in China, you've no doubt heard about this legendary fella! My Small Person tells me he "flies through the sky when he hears firecrackers." She's not too far off the mark. As legend goes, every Spring, during New Years Eve, Nián would come out to eat villagers, destroy their homes and farms. One such story tells of the villagers and their plan to use drums, plates and empty bowls to make as much noise as possible, they wore red robes and threw firecrackers to intimidate the monster! According to myth, it worked and Nian never appeared in the village again. Of course in the lead up to the Spring Festival, it's all about "Out with the old, in with the new!" Houses are frantically cleaned before the big holiday (cleaning after is simply a big no no). New clothes are purchased - preferably red (undies and all!) and the decorations go up! The ubiquitous red lanterns dangle in the breeze, down every laneway, along every street, in every tree; the red paper cut-outs visible on windows and the customary well-wishing red banners are draped around the doorways! And of course for the little ones it wouldn't be Chinese New Year without the songs! Across China and much of Asia, for the last week, concerts rang out with small people dressed in Chinese traditional costumes, singing to their heart's content. The big people don't miss out either, including the hotelier who, this year, heaven forbid, was dressed as a beautiful(?) Chinese woman for his staff CNY concert! So, while (clearly) us foreigners (big and small) like to get into the spirit and enjoy the celebrations that come with this ancient Chinese festival, for the locals it's undeniably bigger than big! With the government advocating a seven day holiday, you may have seen my earlier post about 100 million locals taking to the streets...all in the name of travel, rushing to get home for the big family reunion. In China, family is the backbone of society. Trivial Fact: The character for family “家” is made up of two key elements: an upper part that represents a roof and a lower part which represents a pig - which if you look sideways you might just get. ;) Thousands of years ago pigs were domesticated and lived inside! Thus if there's a pig inside, it indicates people live in the house. With grandparents everywhere often tasked with the role of primary carer for the children, many parents our of town for work purposes Spring Festival is often the one time of the year the whole family can get together. There's even a popular Chinese saying: “falling leaves returning to the root of the tree that sired them.” On the family dinner table, a plethora of 'lucky' food is served, including Apples because the Chinese name for apple is 苹果; píngguǒ and Ping also means peace; fish which is known as 鱼 Yú which sounds like another word for abundance, to dumplings and spring rolls 春卷 Chūnjuǎn, which seemingly look like gold bars so symbolise wealth, not to mention 汤圆 Tāngyuán — Sweet Rice Balls -- the pronunciation and round shape of tangyuan associated with reunion and being together. After the dinner, the whole family usually sit down to watch China's national television. Almost every single channel shows the same Spring Festival party of entertainment. A bit like western New Year's Eve, everyone will stay up to see the New Year in. Probably one of the most exciting things for children across China, is receiving the lucky red envelopes! Of which they are the prime recipients! The Red envelopes for children are called Yāsuìqián which means "suppressing age money" or keeping them young and suppressing the ghosts and warding off evil spirits. The envelopes themselves hold more meaning than the actual money inside them (although perhaps not for the kids)! ;) They're called Lai See down south and Hongbao up north, but the concept is the same. Those who receive a red packet are wished a year of 'good health, safety and peace'. Dating back to the Qing Dynasty, the elderly would thread coins with a red string and put them under their children's pillows when they fell asleep on New Year's Eve -- today, while the tradition has been replaced with red envelopes, parents (including us) still put Hongbao under their children's pillows! It's also customary to give these lucky packets to any children close to you, that you come into contact with over the Spring Festival. And in the past, children had to give their red packets to their parents for safe keeping, today......it's a little bit like Christmas! Oh and it's also bad luck for the family if a child cries during Spring Festival, so cheeky kids will probably get off more lightly than usual! ;) Even more fun! %CODE02% And finally, on the fifteenth day -- the Lantern Festival signals the end of Chinese New Year. As the first night of the full moon, children go out at night to temples carrying red paper lanterns and solve riddles on the lanterns. The delicate paper lamps are lit and sent sailing skyward.... paving the way for a smooth year ahead. From me to you, in Mandarin it's a big Gong Xi Fa Cai or in Cantonese it's Kung Hei Fat Choi! Wishing you a joyful and prosperous year! Happy New Year of the Monkey! The above video has been provided by Lego, but all thoughts and fun facts are my own and in my humble opinion well worth telling you about! :lol: Pssst.... here's a list of other articles I've written on Chinese New Year..... Monkey Business: Swinging into the Chinese New Year with a Bang Chinese New Year in Xi’an: IN VIDEO Bask in the Glow: Chinese New Year in Pictures Lai See: Lucky Money or Tradition Gone Mad Out with the Old, in With the New … [Read more...]
Lai See: Lucky Money or Tradition Gone Mad?
So, to tell you the truth, I'll be quite glad when this "official" Lunar New Year period is over. Otherwise known as Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival - it runs for 15 days! Yes…15 long days and for locals, Lai See is a crucial part of the age-old tradition, giving the phrase 'throwing money at people' new meaning. Now I'm not one to be a party pooper - I love a good shindig and never shy away from some festive cheer but jeez louise….as a 'Guailo' (white person) in an Asian country, this whole Lai See thing is kind of doing my head in. These small red and gold envelopes are ever present, sneaking their way into every nook and cranny of festival life, determined to be the stars of the party. They hang from blossom trees in every lobby and shopping centre, and they poke out of people's handbags and coat pockets, perkily reminding you of your Lai See duty. In all honesty, I'm still a little confused exactly what my Lai See 'duty' consists of - which is probably why the whole process gets me slightly hot under the collar. It's actually my first proper experience with Chinese New Year - the first year I've been 'present' in Hong Kong. During our maiden year here, I was giving birth and well, you can appreciate, I was otherwise engaged. The next two Lunar New Years, I was off galavanting home, oblivious to the actual responsibilities that come with celebrating this auspicious holiday. This year I knew it was coming and I thought I was ready, but I was quickly informed, my idea of popping to the ATM to get a few bank notes and shoving them in their red and gold packets, was not going to cut it. You see they need to be new notes, crisp, ironed-flat bank notes, fresh from the money-making machine (wherever that may be)… can you imagine the queues? My 'she'll be right' attitude was met with some firm shaking of the head. Cannot La! Really? New? Yes, really! The custom is said to show the 'giver' was thinking about the Lai See 'receiver' - used notes indicate they were forgotten about! Hmmm.... Thankfully, in my last minute panic, my husband offered me some of his Lai See… he has no choice but to be well prepared for this occasion. For at least the first four days he can expect to be confronted by every man and his dog. By that, I mean all of his staff members, who as his employees, are each entitled to a lucky Lai See packet. (Over the four day holiday period, he'll give out no less than HK$7000!!) His Lai See, I note, are elegant and rather chic looking, not your average 'Joe Blogs' packet. Traditionally they are red and gold which symbolizes good luck and prosperity, as well as warding off evil spirits. These days, I'm informed, Lai See packets have become somewhat of a status symbol. Corporate companies have their own Lai See envelopes designed (in what I'm told is a rather expensive process) and hand these out to clients, well before CNY! Branding at its best right? You'll even see Mickey Mouse and Hello Kitty style envelopes up for grabs these days! So, over the last four days, every time we leave the house, I've been working up a cold sweat, giving myself heart palpitations as I scramble to get my 'Lai See load' in order. You see, it's important first and foremost, to have enough Lai See. They need to be given to the concierge, doormen, cleaning ladies and security guards…basically anyone who is of service to you. A trip to the supermarket or gym is also liable to be fraught with Lai See lurkers. The problem, I discovered on my first CNY exit, is - while I was counting on the usual concierge lady, a doorman and a security guard or two, I wasn't prepared for being mobbed by the paparazzi. (If only all they wanted was a picture!) Give one Lai See packet and I quickly found out these people can smell you from a mile away. Staff materialise from out of the wood works in all their Kung Hei Fat Choi-ing glory. (Simply saying this phrase (Happy New Year) is akin to asking for your lucky money.) To give to one and not to another, well that's just not done. So with that in mind, I quickly learned you can disperse with a dozen envelopes in one fell swoop. Meantime, don't think you can just carelessly toss the packet ever so casually into their hands or on the desk as you strut on by, no - you're supposed to hand them over with two hands, bowing at the recipient as you do and of course chanting the obligatory Kung Hei Fat Choi….in return. I'm uncoordinated at the best of times, so with a Dora backpack hooked over my shoulder, a handbag slung over my arm and a couple of winter coats tucked underneath, I'm finding it all a little difficult to carry out this process with any degree of 'aplomb.' Oh and just to throw a spanner in the works, I was told today I should be saying something back to the person along the likes of having a 'healthy and happy' life. (But make sure you put some thought into it for each individual, ok la?!) A lot to remember for someone just trying to get out the front door isn't it? And there are of course different amounts to be given out, usually giving a little more to those who've really helped you out during the course of the year (particularly if you want to shore up good service for the year ahead I'm told). Oh the pressure. For the most part it's a single $10, $20 or $50 notes…. always ending in an even number and never $40 - must not forget - the number four sounds like death in Chinese. Trying to remember which coloured envelopes have what money is also a little tricky when you're being 'papped' and need to act quickly. My lack of a 'system' failed me miserably. My other problem after a few days of taking part in this practice - is I can't remember who I've given Lai See to…. and even if James has already handed out packets on behalf of 'us' - technically if you want to present as a loving, united couple - as opposed to separated, you need to give one each! He took Ava to the traditional Lion Dance at work today and with it being customary to give all children Lai See, she certainly banked a few of her own lucky fortunes. Its even considered customary to feed the dancing lions Lai See in their mouths if you really want to ensure a stream of good luck in the coming year. Over the course of the weekend we met up with a few friends to celebrate. Of course I forgot to take Lai See for the young children of these friends!! Luckily James had slipped a few surplus packets in his pocket. Meantime, Ava had me hiding under the table in horror as she hastily ripped open all her packets, revealing her takings to all and sundry - a ritual not to be done in public out of courtesy I'm told! My friends laughed at me as I cringed with embarrassment -- even more at realizing I hadn't given enough in return. Today, a little short on Lai See, I thought I'd sneak out underground, avoiding too many Kung Hei's on the way through the gates, but alas, I was unable to escape unscathed from the Lai See lurkers, chased down in the car park by the ever so friendly cleaners who appeared from nowhere like those grinning rabbits out of a hat, with their big toothy smiles and lots of "Gong Shi Gong Shi" (Best Wishes). Amazing how friendly people get around this time of the year. Ahhhh god love them….if I was them, I'd probably be milking this age-old tradition for all it's worth too. Ancient Chinese folklore claims it brings good luck for both givers and receivers, so hopefully for their sake and mine, next year I'll aim to be better prepared…..complete with fail-safe Lai See 'system' at the ready!! *By the way, a new study shows in today's digital age, more people prefer to receive their Lai See by internet transfer. Maybe I might have better luck with that? … [Read more...]
12 reasons you know you’ve been EXPATIFIED in Hong Kong…
If there was a definition for EXPATIFY (which there's not) I'm pretty sure it would go something like this: Acceptance of the alien nature of an environment, development of new-found tolerances, greater objectivity and appropriate coping skills. Pretty much sums up the adjustment required when you become an expat don't you think? When you launch yourself into expat life -- for awhile, everything seems out of kilter. For me, stepping off the plane into the neon-lit metropolis of Hong Kong was akin to plunging head first into an ocean full of hungry sharks. I was frantically treading water, doing my very best not to get swallowed up. Everything in my new environment felt all-consuming, overwhelming and more than a little suffocating. I could literally taste the foreignness. Heart in my mouth, eyes wide like saucers, I struggled to soak in my new surroundings. The predominant and (for many) most memorable image - the rows upon rows of imposing skyscrapers that stand luminously guarding a city that's heaving with bodies. A city where the light never dims and everything and everyone operates in permanent overdrive. There's not a spare patch of land in sight - roads are packed with vivid red taxis jostling for position, while on the water, ferries zip in and out, past the Junks, weaving through the hundreds of container ships, docked briefly in one of the busiest ports in the world. Overhead, a constant buzz of helicopters criss-cross through a concrete jungle. A fragrant harbour loaded with its distinctive smells, in every direction it's sensory overload. To read more, continue over to Expat Focus>>> … [Read more...]
Out with the old, in with the new…
"Kung Hei Fat Choi!" or as they say up north in China "Xin Nian Kuai Le!" Roughly translated, that's "Best wishes and congratulations. Have a prosperous and good year." 2013 was the Year of the Snake and the party started without me….after a month of Australian sunshine (make that heat waves, cyclones, tornadoes and flooding) I was headed back to a wintry Hong Kong, smack bang in the middle of what's unquestionably the 'big kahuna' on the Chinese calendar, Chinese New Year. Make no mistake though, I'd been under no illusions…CNY (for short) is coming! No sooner had Santa left the building, tinsel was unravelled from those perfectly-primped Christmas trees and in their place, lions, lanterns and Lai See emerged in all their red and gold glory. Anticipation littered the air for weeks as locals frantically prepared to farewell the Year of the Dragon and welcome the steely snake, slithering ever-closer to his moment in the sun. For the record, the snake doesn't have the same kudos as the dragon - dubbed the luckiest of the Chinese lunar years. If you're born a 'dragon' in China, it's safe to say you've hit the zodiac jackpot! A mythical legend, you'll walk through life the strongest, smartest and luckiest of all 12 animal signs. To give you an idea of the divine powers the Oriental Dragon wields, last year saw wedding planners literally run off their feet as the number of couples racing down the aisle sky rocketed and hospitals were inundated with mums who'd desperately timed those romantic rendezvous to ensure a much-coveted 'dragon' baby. 2013 and the soothsayers are out in force to warn of the perils of the slippery snake and his venomous bite. The word is, commitments and promises made will be sorely tested and romance will be put on the back burner as the agile and dangerous reptile weaves its way through 2013. The previous two "snake" years have seen the September 11 attacks in 2001 and the Tiananmen Square Massacre in China in 1989, making locals fearful of a rocky year ahead. Nonetheless, the snake can also promote ambition, wealth and power and Feng Shui experts are trying to encourage positive vibes for an harmonious year. If you're not familiar with Asia, about now, you might be thinking pffftt! what a load of poppy-cock! For non-believers and (grateful) expats it might be a chance to take a week long holiday, sit back and let the fun begin, but for locals it's much more than a few sleep-ins and respite from the daily grind. Firstly, there's a mad rush to get home…travelers literally cause gridlock as they scramble to be with family (if you live away and only come home once a year, this is the one occasion you make the trip). For many people it's the only holiday all year and so far over a billion people have hit the road to be with loved ones. Just as westerners like to ring in the New Year with parties and plenty of frivolity under the guise of starting anew - the same can be said for Chinese New Year but don't think you can get away with making a few half-hearted resolutions through the champagne bubbles (how is that New Year's fitness plan going by the way??) Nope if you're a CNY devotee it's serious stuff and it revolves around family, friends, food and a whole lot of highly essential Chinese customs. Mostly, it's about reconciling ….and that means forgetting all your grudges and wishing peace and happiness for everyone! Yes that's everyone! (So if you've been harbouring a sour taste in your mouth over that family feud, now's the time to swallow your pride and make amends.) This is a culture so sincere in its well-wishing, it takes saying Happy New Year to a whole new level! You really want to hope you stuck to your christmas budget because if you're around these parts over CNY you better have pockets full of money when you make your well-wishes. Red pockets that is. (I'm pretty sure in our first year in Hong Kong, we left ourselves a bit red-faced, unaccustomed to Chinese New Year etiquette.) They call them 'Lai See' in Hong Kong or "Hang Bao" in China….originally given to ward off evil spirits, these days they symbolize good luck and prosperity… and it's a sure bet tucked deep into everyone's winter jackets you'll find pockets overflowing with red envelopes. Banks are stretched to the limit as locals rush to get crisp new bank notes. (Crinkly old crushed-up notes simply will not do.) Basically, the lucky Lai See receivers are unmarried relatives and friends, employees and children! Everyone else step aside and be prepared to dish out the dollars. There's a "standard" token amount of a $20 dollar note in a red packet, but you can give as much as you like to those 'special' people. If you live in an apartment and most of us do, it's customary to give the doormen, concierge and so on Lai See. Married couples might be wise to give two packets to unmarried friends - giving just one I'm told signals your relationship is separating! (No wonder they looked at me strangely last year.) As a hotel manager my husband will shell out no less than $8000HK. (Guess now's not the time to bring up that new frock huh?!) Before you go galavanting with your red packets of lucky cash, tradition dictates things at home must be spic and span. It's critical to clear out the cobwebs before CNY begins if you want good luck and harmony to come your way. Yep! time to roll up your sleeves ladies and gentleman and get down and dirty with the dust-buster. (Take note: whatever you do, refrain from sweeping once CNY is underway…..this could very well sweep all the good luck right out the front door!) Many homes and most businesses see CNY as the time to bring in a Feng Shui master to ensure the year starts off on the right footing. He'll advise whether offices should be changed, walls painted, chairs moved...all to "improve the air." It's all about the flow of energy. If you've had an influx of resignations and too many employees calling in sick, maybe it's time to re-think your office space! All sharp knives must be put away (not in case you're feeling a little unstable) rather in case they cut through potential luck coming into the house. It might also be a good idea to invest in some small 'orange trees' for the pad. They represent wealth and prosperity. It's one of those 'the word sounds like' situations. In Chinese 'oranges' sounds the same as the word for 'gold' and also for 'lucky.' You get my drift? If you've racked up any debts, no ifs or buts, now's the time to repay them. Heading into the new year with a clean slate is paramount to future success. It will also hopefully mean you've got enough cash for the all important new year makeover. It's not just your house that needs to be in ship-shape, you'll reap the rewards for sprucing yourself up from top to toe. What better opportunity to purchase a brand spanking new suit or ladies some sexy stilettos for the first day of CNY and it's all in the name of maintaining the sanctity of an ancient tradition (now that's a shopping spree to remember)! Red underwear are also deemed part of the 'lucky' outfit. If you need a haircut, don't wait for the holiday to head down to the local barber for a snip. It's got to be done before the New Year Festival begins. Why? According to Chinese mythology, the word 'fat' in the New Year greeting 'Kung Hei Fat Choi' sounds the same as the word 'hair'….(here we go again) and because having a lot of hair is seen as a statement of wealth, if you take the scissors to it, you're effectively cutting your money loose. In fact, some people don't even wash their hair at all over CNY for fear of bringing bad luck upon themselves. (You wouldn't want to let any of it slip away down the plug-hole would you)! If you don't like the cut, try not to shed any tears on New Year's Day either, this can mean you'll cry for the rest of the year. Also on the to do list, five days before New Year, many households like to offer a sacrifice to the Kitchen God by putting sweet, sticky food, like sticky rice or lotus seed in front of his picture. He looks over families and apparently reports to 'Jade the Emperor' on who's been naughty or nice (a bit like Santa really). It's hoped the offering of sweet food will encourage him to give a "sweet" report to the emperor and also stick his mouth together so he can't tell anyone about the questionable deeds he's witnessed. On the eve of Chinese New Year, supper is a family feast and fire works at midnight mark the beginning of the new year. It's believed the noise of the fireworks will drive away any evil spirits. Early the next morning, children wish their parents a healthy and happy new year - in return they receive Lai See. (Hello Toyworld!) At midnight on the first day of Chinese New Year, locals head to their local temple to place an incense stick. This I'm told brings luck for the entire year, so probably not one to miss. Then there are the zestfully colorful community events taking place around the city, most notably the ubiquitous 'Lion dance'…… It started thousands of years ago to scare away evil spirits. Two people perform at the head and the tail synchronizing their moves to music from a drum, gong and cymbal. The Lion has a mirror on his head to frighten away evil spirits with their own reflections. As the courageous lion runs along the streets visiting different places, as odd as it may sound he looks for green vegetables like lettuce, hung above the doors of houses or businesses. Hidden in the leaves is, you guessed it, Lai See. The lion must eat the lettuce and red packet and scatter the leaves to symbolize a fresh start for the new year and the spreading of good luck. Even better, should a family member or the owner of a business stick his or her head into the lions’s mouth, the year to come will even be more lucky and prosperous. Get dunking! The Festival of Lanterns on the first full moon of the New Year marks the end of the festivities (usually on the 15th day). A 500 year old tradition, it celebrates the return of light, the coming of spring and the beginning of the growing season. So is it all superstition gone mad, rituals gone wrong? Perhaps to some of us unfamiliar with these customs it can seem like a whole lot of mumbo jumbo, but to those who stem from generations of Chinese families it's all about honoring and respecting their ancestors. Things may be changing in China but taking pride in ancient traditions that have seen a culture of people live harmoniously and peacefully for thousands of years is still one thing that remains the same. So from me to you, Kung Hei Fat Choi! … [Read more...]