By Arlene Lum

According to legend centuries ago, Nian, a beast with a very large mouth went around swallowing many people in one big bite.  People, of course, were very scared. One day, an old man came to their rescue offering to subdue Nian.  He said to Nian, “I hear that you are very capable, but can you swallow the other beasts of prey on earth instead of people who are by no means worthy opponents?”  So, Nian went off to swallow many beasts of prey that harassed people and their domestic animals. 

The old man, who turned out to be an immortal god, rode on the beast Nian and disappeared.  Before the old man left, he told people to put up red paper decorations on their windows and doors at the end of each year to scare away Nian in case it sneaked back again, and because red is the color the beast feared the most.  

From then on, the tradition of observing the conquest of Nian was carried on forward from generation to generation.  The term “Guo Nian” meaning ‘surviving of Nian’ became ‘Celebrate the (New) Year’ as the word “guo” in Chinese means ‘pass-over’ and ‘observe’.  The custom of putting up red paper and firing firecrackers to scare away Nian is still being followed, although many have forgotten why. 

While Chinese New Year is February 7th this year, the season extends from the middle of the 12^th month of the previous year to the middle of the first month of the New Year.  Merchants are busy selling presents, decorations, food, clothing and good luck plants and flowers.  Every family gives their home a thorough cleaning (early spring-cleaning), hoping to sweep away all the ill fortune to make way for incoming good luck.  Sweeping during New Year’s Day might sweep away the good fortune.  They decorate doors and windows with red paper-cutouts and couplets with popular themes of happiness, wealth, longevity and satisfactory marriage with more children.  Plates of oranges & tangerines with leaves, candy, candied vegetables and melon seeds are arranged on tables for good luck.

 During New Year’s Eve, the entire family comes together for a family feast, preferably dressed in red to ward off evil spirits.  This meal is important for setting the stage for the family for the coming year.  The meal includes ingredients and dishes that represent good wishes.  Meals are cooked in abundance to ensure that there is enough food for the year to come.  Sharp objects such as knives are kept in drawers because you might cut away your good fortune.  Harmony amongst family and friends is observed throughout the New Year celebration.   Television programming is limited to non-violent shows and lights are left on all night.  All this is done to bring about good things in the coming year.  

 Early next morning, children greet their parents, grandparents and other married relatives and receive red envelopes with money as presents.  Families then visit relatives and neighbors door to door wishing them well.  The phrase ‘Gung Hay Fat Choy’ is often used to wish those they see “happiness & prosperity”.  The New Year celebration climaxes on the fifteenth day of the first month called the Festival of Lanterns where there are lantern shows and folk dances.