"Kung Hei Fat Choy"

"Kung Hei Fat Choy" to our Chinese friends.  For us who are not so familiar with the way how our friends are celebrating the turn of the year, here are some facts:

- It is celebrated on the eve of the Chinese Calendar (New Year's Eve) up to the 15th day of the next month (falling between January 20 or 21-the Lantern Festival). The longest celebration in the Chinese calendar.

-They celebrate New Year as tribute to Gods and their ancestors.

-In China, it is also known as the "Spring Festival" and "Lunar New Year"

Let us understand it more: (I have employed colors for easy reading)

The Traditions Within

- Having family reunion in a dinner on New Year's Eve

- Must have circular fruits on the table before New Year's eve 

   and wearing polka-dot clothes (symbolizes money)

- Cleaning the whole house as a belief of sweeping away ill-fortune, 

   to welcome good fortune

- Must have sticky food for "the family to stay together"

- Must have long noodles to bring "longevity - living longer"

- Must have display of anything red in the windows and doors

  that shows wealth and, happiness (theme)

- The Chinese store owners (friends of mine) are taking their 

  merchandise on an inventory sale, as they say the more you 

  sell the more you will expect selling the next year.  

- They are giving away money in red envelopes 

   The more you give, the more it will come back.

- Firecrackers are present too, to scare away the bad spirits.

Countries with GREAT Chinese Population:
(Most have Chinese Community)

-Mainland China

-Hongkong

-Macau

-Taiwan

-Singapore

-Thailand

-Indonesia

-Malaysia

-Mauritius

-and here in the Philippines

"Kung Hei Fat Choy to all of you friends..more happiness, long life and prosperous New Year.."

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Reference:
en.wikipedia.org

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