In China, and across the world, millions have been travelling for miles (or kilometers) to reach their homes in time for the two-week celebration of Chinese New Year. On Monday evening of this week, the party began.
According to tradition, families gather for a meal which is shared on the first night of the festival, and then throughout the next two weeks, other visits and meals are shared among friends and extended family. It is customary that even the poorest farmer must offer some hospitality to any visitor who happens by, even as simple as a cup of tea and a sweet or a dumpling.
One of the popular Chinese New Year traditions is the presentation of gifts to young children as symbols of good luck and prosperity. Adults present red envelopes filled with money to their children, relatives and friends. Since our celebration was also a fundraising effort for our building fund, lucky red envelopes were placed on our tables, and guests were invited to use them to donate toward the fruition of the tower renovation. Of course, the donor of money, who placed funds in these red envelopes would do so in hope of gaining further luck and prosperity in the coming year.
At the centre of each table, we placed elements of Feng Shui (water, earth, fire and wind) all of which are central to Chinese daily life, functioning, health and good luck.
According to tradition, families gather for a meal which is shared on the first night of the festival, and then throughout the next two weeks, other visits and meals are shared among friends and extended family. It is customary that even the poorest farmer must offer some hospitality to any visitor who happens by, even as simple as a cup of tea and a sweet or a dumpling.
The celebration of the Spring Festival also takes place in countries other than China, including in Vietnam, where the greeting of choice is chuc mung nam moi. Three years ago, we welcomed a group of Vietnamese who arrived at our doorstep, having recently arrived from their homeland to work in this city. Over the past number of years, we have had the privilege of getting to know them, and of learning about the traditions that are important to them, including the celebration of the New Year / Spring Festival.
On the first evening of the Festival, our parish hall was transformed into a place of celebration. It is customary that along with wishes of Happy New Year, hopes for peace, joy, good luck and prosperity are expressed.
Monday night's décor expressed Chinese cultural tradition. During the New Year celebrations, Chinese households are decorated with signs and posters, traditionally painted in black ink on lucky red paper, and the word foo (which means good luck and happiness) figures prominently among the symbols customarily used. Flowers are used to adorn homes and to indicate the coming of Spring. The colour red is important in Chinese culture as a symbol of prosperity.
Paper lanterns are hung, and dragon figures and symbols are used in decorations. On the first evening of the Festival, the family sits together for dinner and enjoys a beautiful New Year feast.
Paper lanterns are hung, and dragon figures and symbols are used in decorations. On the first evening of the Festival, the family sits together for dinner and enjoys a beautiful New Year feast.
One of the popular Chinese New Year traditions is the presentation of gifts to young children as symbols of good luck and prosperity. Adults present red envelopes filled with money to their children, relatives and friends. Since our celebration was also a fundraising effort for our building fund, lucky red envelopes were placed on our tables, and guests were invited to use them to donate toward the fruition of the tower renovation. Of course, the donor of money, who placed funds in these red envelopes would do so in hope of gaining further luck and prosperity in the coming year.
At the centre of each table, we placed elements of Feng Shui (water, earth, fire and wind) all of which are central to Chinese daily life, functioning, health and good luck.
1 comment:
What an amazing event this was to bridge a far eastern country with a north american one and done in such fine authentic style. Although we were not there personally, we were, as we normally are, emotionally with our very best friends and so enjoyed the news updates and of course the pictures including the ones pre-dinner showing the hustle and bustle in the kitchen. Congrats. Fr. Tony for a great job. The Chaves Family
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