echo It’s that time of the year again—the time when red lanterns adorn the streets, lively music is blasted from speakers, and lion dance troupes grace various venues with their performances, accompanied by the ear-splitting sound of drums and cymbals. That’s right, it’s Chinese New Year again! Join us as we usher in the Year of the Dragon.
The Chinese New Year is traditionally celebrated on the first day of the lunisolar Chinese calendar, which marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Also known as Chun Jie, celebrations usually start from Chinese New Year’s Eve to the 15th day of the new year.
Here’s some fun facts about Chinese New Year that you may not know about!
Origin of the Chinese New Year
In Chinese legends, a mythical beast called Nian would emerge every annual spring festival to feast on villagers and children, spreading terror and fear. One day, an old man, later assumed to be a benevolent deity, came to the village to save the villagers, putting up red paper and setting off firecrackers. These were believed to frighten Nian away.
As a result, the Chinese community continues to uphold these traditions to this day.
Villagers attempting to scare Nian away
Hokkien New Year
The Chinese Hokkien community observes the birth of the Jade Emperor, one of the most prominent deities in the Taoist religion, on the 9th day of the Chinese New Year, which is also known as the Hokkien New Year.
According to Chinese folklore, the Hokkien community was being massacred by Mongol invaders. In order to survive, they hid in vast fields of sugarcane, obscuring themselves from their enemies. As a result, they survived and pay tribute to the Jade Emperor every year to show their eternal gratitude.
This celebration takes place most notably in the state of Penang, where the Chinese community is predominantly of Hokkien descent. Devotees bring food offerings consisting of ang ku kueh, fruit, and even whole roasted pigs. Large joss sticks are lit and burned, offering sweet-smelling incense up to the heavens.
Devotees offering joss sticks and prayers
Food offerings to the Jade Emperor
Orange Throwing
Orange throwing is a fun tradition that originated in Malaysia that takes place on Chap Goh Mei, the fifteenth day of Chinese New Year. During this event, young eligible girls would write down their contact numbers or social media handles on oranges and throw them into rivers. Young men would then scoop up these oranges, hoping to form a romantic connection with whoever the orange belonged to.
Of course, facts alone are not enough to convey the festive spirit of the Chinese New Year. Hence, we have taken the opportunity to interview a few of our fellow Chinese students to get to know what Chinese New Year is all about.
Festive Foodie:
- What is your favourite part of Chinese New Year?
My favourite part of Chinese New Year is being able to see my relatives who I haven’t seen in a while. Since a lot of them live in different states, we rarely see each other outside of Chinese New Year. It’s the only time of the year where we can gather together, enjoy good food, and catch up.
I definitely look forward to enjoying all the good food that is available during the Chinese New Year, as well as collecting angpao. I dread the age when I will be too old to receive angpao.
- Do you have any traditions that you uphold during Chinese New Year?
On the morning of the first day of Chinese New Year, I’ll have a breakfast of tong sui and radish cake with my family. Since we’re a Christian family, we’ll also have a short prayer session followed by exchanging well wishes and angpao. After that, we usually visit my grandfather’s grave to pay our respects.
- What is your favourite festive food or snack?
My favourites are bakwa (dried meat), roast duck, and roast pork. As for snacks, I love the fried seaweed crisps and pineapple tarts.
- What’s your favourite memory associated with Chinese New Year?
My favourite memory is hanging out at my aunt’s house with all my cousins. There was free-flowing food, courtesy of my aunts, who love to cook, so we all got to enjoy dishes like roast lamb, potato salad, and poon choi. My cousin also brought her dog along, so we got to play with it. Overall, it was just a good time with good people and good food.
Kuih Bangkit Connoisseur:
- What is your favourite part of Chinese New Year?
My favourite part of Chinese New Year is being able to enjoy good home-cooked food, especially my grandma’s food. She will cook her signature pork trotter vinegar dish and spring rolls, which are both delicious. Of course, Chinese New Year cookies are to die for as well.
- Do you have any traditions that you uphold during Chinese New Year?
I’ll go to the temple with my family and carry out some prayers on the first day of the Chinese New Year. Afterwards, we head to my grandparents’ house to have tong shui and a vegetarian meal. This is because my grandparents go vegetarian on the first day of the Chinese New Year.
- What is your favourite festive food or snack?
I love Kuih Bangkit and pineapple tarts. I like the flaky, melt-in-your-mouth texture of kuih bangkit as well as the sweet, sour taste of pineapple tarts.
- What’s your favourite memory associated with Chinese New Year?
My favourite memory is playing games with my cousins in Malacca and having a great time at my grandma’s place. We rarely get together, so it’s a great way for us to bond.
Prawn Cracker Addict:
- What is your favourite part of Chinese New Year?
My favourite part of Chinese New Year is getting to travel back to my hometown and spend time with my family. I love getting to catch up with everyone in my family since we rarely see each other throughout the year. I look forward to enjoying good food as well.
- Do you have any traditions that you uphold during Chinese New Year?
We have this tradition in my family where we go out and pick a nice tree branch to decorate it to make it look like a plum blossom tree. It’s a very meaningful tradition to me, which I carry out with my grandfather. One of the traditions I like is cooking reunion dinner with my aunts, then going out for ice cream after.
- What is your favourite festive food or snack?
London almond cookies and prawn crackers.
- What’s your favourite memory associated with Chinese New Year?
My favourite memory is talking to my cousins for hours as well as visiting my friends and relatives’ houses for good food. One notable memory for me is also putting on Chinese New Year performances in school and having a tone of fun with my friends doing so.
Bakwa Enthusiast:
- What is your favourite part of Chinese New Year?
My favourite part is being able to see my family and friends again. We are often separated by distance due to work and school, so it means a lot to me to return to my hometown and see the people I love.
- Do you have any traditions that you uphold during Chinese New Year?
A tradition that I have is helping out my mother and aunts cook reunion dinners. It’s a long and tiring process, but the result is definitely worth it.
- What is your favourite festive food or snack?
Bakwa for sure
- What’s your favourite memory associated with Chinese New Year?
My favourite memory is when everyone gathers around to talk about their year and catch up. We share our experiences and chat, and it definitely brings us closer as a family.
As we celebrate the Year of the Dragon, we are reminded that Chinese New Year is not just about the food, the decorations, or even the angpao. Let it be a show of familial bonds, a reunion, and a symbol of our cultural heritage that will remain with us for generations to come. May the new year bring us all joy and prosperity!
Written by: Sarah
Edited by: Ruby
