Mandarin oranges, angpaos and lanterns- read our blog to learn how we're getting ready for the Year of the Rat! Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Chinese New Year is one of the most important cultural festivals and celebrations not just for the Chinese community in Malaysia, but all over the world, including the large diaspora communities in countries such as the United States and Australia. In some countries it is referred to as the Spring Festival.
It's the time when we bid farewell to the old, the past, and hope for the best from the future.
It's also the time of the year when families reunite and gather, when familial ties are strengthened and reinforced. Relatives from afar meet; spouses celebrate with their in-laws, and this period is made even more special when there are new additions to the family.
Preparing for this special time requires careful planning, multi-tasking and shed-loads of patience.
Which is why we're sharing a little bit of what we hope will be helpful to you — preparing for the Year of the Rat.
Clean the house before the 30th day of the lunar month preceding the new month of the new lunar year. It is imperative that you take care of all the "throwing out" of whatever needs to be thrown out of the house (old clothes, old furnishings, spoiled linens, cushions, etc) before the start of the new year because there is a strong belief among celebrants that throwing anything out on the first day of the new year is akin to throwing out what good fortune might come your way. That means do not sweep, do not carry the bins out from the kitchen onto the rubbish collection area on the first day. There are many Chinese families that go that extra step and replace furniture or repaint the interior of the house or apartment. It is said some families believe old furniture invites bad fortune into the home.
Be sure to have an ample supply of mandarin oranges in the house. The Chinese New Year is a time when relatives, friends and members of both immediate and extended family (or even, to borrow a popular term, ‘blended families') descend on your home (and other homes) and it is so important to have enough mandarin oranges on hand. Mandarin oranges are said to represent gold, and having oranges at home augurs well for your home to receive good fortune. Therefore, do make it a point to buy some nice decorative bowls in which to hold these lovely mandarin oranges, or you could keep them in boxes. Either way, you still need to create space in your home for these golden lovelies, so that your Spring Festival can be as fortune-friendly as possible. On that note, it is also said that a fully-stocked kitchen is an absolute must for those hosting loved ones at home on the first day of the new year. Hungry hordes become grumpy hordes when there isn't enough food, and apparently no-one is allowed to swear or curse on the first day.
It is not just your home that needs spring cleaning and sprucing up — you do too! The new year is an opportunity for many to go shopping for new clothes and not feel bad about the extra splurge. More than that, though, buying new clothes signifies that your income-earning ability is healthy and you are able to replenish your wardrobe. On a more personal front, there are also some who hold the belief that one must not wash their hair beyond 11pm or midnight the night before.