Chinese New Year Eve night is named as “除夕”, “Chu Xi” in Mandarin or some called it “年三十晚”. It’s last day of the year in the lunar calendar. In some years, there will be only “年二十九晚”as in the 12th month of the Lunar calendar of some years will only have 29 days instead of 30 days.
In Chinese culture, people will busy preparing to welcome Lunar New Year. After the “Re-union Dinner”, where all the family members will have dinner together, people will start to clean their house and tidy up things as it is a taboo to sweep floor on the first day of Chinese New Year.
According to Chinese culture, people will normally stay awake for the whole night or not sleep during the CNY Eve night. This is called “守岁”, “Shou Sui” in Mandarin. There are different stories behind the meaning for “守岁”. One of saying is “守岁” is good for the elderly at home so that will have a longevity life for the elderly.
On the Chinese New Year Eve night, my mother will be busy preparing for the prayers to pray for good luck, prosperity and peace of the family members. It is called “接财神”, “Jie Cai Shen” in Mandarin. My siblings will start to light the firecrackers and fireworks after the prayers. It is so loud and fun! Yes! That is the long waiting once a year atmosphere for Chinese New Year! We can continue to hear the loud bang from the fireworks and firecrackers throughout the whole night of CNY Eve.
My parent will start to give out red packets or angpows called “压岁钱”,“Ya Shui Qian” to us, to bless us for this new year with peaceful, safety and prosperity throughout the whole year round. Thank you my dearest Mummy and Papa!!
No comments:
Post a Comment