Chinese New Year 2009
Chinese New Year falls this time on 26 January 2009, ending February 13 2010. This is a year of Earth Buffalo because it is under the sign of the animal symbolism Buffalo (Beef) and the cosmological element Earth. It is also a leap year, because there are thirteen months.
The home Genius
A week before Chinese New Year, each family carries out the ceremonial farewell to the home Genius. Indeed, he must do a long journey to heaven to present his annual report to the Jade Emperor (heavenly god) on good and bad family’s actions during the past year. In order to obtain the favours of Genius, presented at his picture placard in the kitchen, a lot of food gifts. Chinese people are accustomed to offer especially sweets, preferably adhesive products, in order to keep close his mouth and not speak badly of them in front of the Jade Emperor.
Duration of the festivities
On the eve of Chinese New Year and 3 days after it are holidays. But in many industries, the festival lasts a week. The only establishments open during that period are theatres and restaurants. The country's economic life resumes on 7th day of New Year, but the festive atmosphere continues until the Feast of Lanterns, the 15th day of the first month of the year.
Rites and customs
In China, the New Year varies from one province to another. But some rituals and customs were adopted by all Chinese, whether they live in the North or the South in the country or abroad.
First, not New Year without firecrackers. These detonate virtually unabated throughout the day, and sporadically during a full week.
Chinese people love to stick around the house bodes messages written on red paper. Two parallel sentences written in perfect calligraphy adorn the 2 sides of the door. The jar of rice is often topped by a sign bearing the words "always full". Offerings at different Geniuses are part of the ritual of New Year's Day. It pays tribute to dead ancestors and celebrates the arrival of the new home Genius by placing his picture in the kitchen.
The Eve
Like Christmas Eve for Westerners, the Chinese New Year Eve is first and foremost a festival of family reunion where everyone will gather around a table. Dinner can not begin until all family members are present. Places are reserved for those who work away and can not return to the family feast.
The meal includes a large number of dishes and some dishes with symbolic meaning are necessarily contained in the menu. For example, the dish called "vegetables of the long year" is intelligence; "chicken" is intended to ensure the health of all members of the family, etc…
The lucky money
The Eve ends with the distribution of the "lucky money". Adults, especially parents and grandparents, give to children red envelopes containing the money which is supposed to bring luck throughout the New Year.
The dragon dance
Unlike Westerners, Chinese people considere the dragon as an animal representing the nobility, bravery and luck. After more than a thousand years of existence, the dragon dance retains its popularity and his power of fascination. It can run day or night. The night show is still a beauty. The used dragon is adorned by a wide variety of colours. It generally includes 9 to 12 sections, each up to one to three meters in length. Drums and gongs punctuate the dance of the mythical beast so respected by Chinese.
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