Chinese New Year Special Tradition packed
by a three-day holiday. Here are eight facts – the most auspicious number, of course – about the biggest festival in town
This will be Year of the Dragon, according to the lunar calendar based on the 12-year cycle where each year is
Chinese zodiac
represented by an animal. There are several tales about how the dozen animals were selected. In one, a Chinese emperor holds a swimming race to pick the animal who would be the rst in
the order of the zodiac. The cunning rat won after riding on the ox and leaping ahead at the nishing line.
Macau resounds to a cacophony of recrackers and reworks during the festival. The noise scares off evil
Fireworks
spirits. Firecrackers and reworks are allowed in temporary designated areas.
Parents and grandparents give red packets with cash to “Lai si”
children, called lai si to ward off bad luck. Married people also offer the packets to unmarried singles. It is considered bad manners to open the envelopes in the presence of the givers.
There are lots of traditional foods eaten during the festival, most of them thought to be auspicious. For instance, sh is common because it symbolises wealth and plenty.
Food
Mandarin orange trees are seen everywhere during Chinese New Year as they symbolise good fortune, both for their shape
Mandarin oranges
and colour, but also because the Cantonese word for this fruit is similar to the one used for “luck”.
Families carry out a full house clean ahead of New Year to clear away the old and bad luck. Household chores such as
Spring cleaning
sweeping or dusting are not carried out during New Year’s Day, for fear of brushing away good luck.
The rst and second days of the festival are spent visiting older and respected relatives and friends. The third day is avoided as it is believed quarrels may take place.
New Year visits Chinese New Year is full of taboos. Taboos
Breaking them can mean a year full of bad luck. If one cries on New Year’s Day, he or she will cry for the rest of the year. Washing your hair rinses away good luck.
JANUARY 2012
Macau’s population welcomes Chinese New Year on January 23, a period also known as Spring Festival or Lunar New Year and marked
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