The Colours And Traditions Of Chinese New Year

By Wan Shahara Ahmad Ghazali KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- The pineapple signifies luck and a better future while the pomelo signifies well-being, good health and family ties. Therefore, it is not surprising that both fruits are seen auspicious by the Chinese society and this is probably the reason why they come into the picture during Chinese New Year (CNY) celebrations. Among others the pomelo is one of the ingredients of the Yee Sang, the prosperity toss, and lanterns in the shape of pineapple adorn Chinese homes to bring good luck to the occupants. The same goes to mandarin oranges that the Chinese believe symbolises the sun and the generative force of nature. In Cantonese the fruit is called 'gut' and symbolises good fortune. THE RED IS DOMINANT These are among the many symbolic items along with the colour red used to lure good tidings during the new year. Red also symbolises summer, the fire element and the south direction. Home embellishments, lights, lanterns, firecrackers and ang pows all come in red signifying happiness, prosperity, good luck (ong) and rejuvenation. And even the non-Chinese will appreciate the red envelope - ang pow - containing money. Speaking of giving ang pows, the newly wed Foo Swee Ling, 36, said for the first time she would be handing out the ang pow packets to her nephews and nieces. "Traditions says that ang pow be given by those married to the senior citizens and the unmarried young close relatives," she said. As the RM10 note (RM is Malaysia's currency, short form for Ringgit Malaysia) is also red in colour, Foo plans to hand out 'double ong' by filling the envelope with the note. RED IS ALSO DOMINANT IN WEDDINGS Red is not only important during the festive season, but also during Chinese weddings. Foo who hails from Selayang (in Selangor state) said in her younger days the Chinese weddings will be a real 'red affair'. "Among others, there would be many giant red candles carved in the shape ofdragons to get rid of bad spirits. "The bride also dons red wedding dress as a sign of happiness and loyalty, while the siblings would don red costume to share the happiness," she added. However, many of the Chinese youths today were more comfortable with the Western wedding outfits that include gowns and tuxedos of different colours. Apart from red, yellow too is highly regarded by the Chinese for its regal attributes. YELLOW, THE REGAL COLOUR As for yellow, apart being the official colour of the ancient Chinese royal courts, it signifies new hope and prosperity for the new year. The colour yellow was much significant and dominant during the era of royal dynasties that ruled China. Even the first emperor was know as the Yellow Emperor, China itself is known as the Yellow Earth and the mother of all rivers in China is the Yellow river. Even yellow tiles adorned the Forbidden City during the Song Dynasty (960-279). It is said that all emperors adorned yellow robes on their throne, they even had yellow carriages to ferry them, walked on the yellow path and the official flag was in yellow. Regardless, both cheerful colours have important role during CNY right from the start with the women wearing red attire and men yellow attire at the reunion dinner. THE MYTICAL MONSTER The CNY celebration and traditions has its roots in a mythical legend with early Chinese storytellers relating CNY with the hungry monster called Nian that terrorised villages and devoured on the domesticated animals, crops and villagers each time when spring appeared. Therefore, for their safety, villagers put food outside their doors and locked themselves inside until the Nian appeared and left after eating the food. They believed if Nian satisfies its hunger, it would not disturb them until the next new year. The routine continued until one day when a boy in red attire escaped from Nian, apparently the colour red had frightened the monster. Since then, villagers started hanging red lanterns and calligraphic scrolls at their doors and windows in greeting CNY. They also light up red firecrackers and beat drums to frighten away the proverbial monster. Since than the monster was never seen again and legend has it that a Taoism priest cast a spell on the monster turning it into the Hongjun Laozu mountain range. THE YEAR OF THE HORSE Though linked to myths and legends, the tradition of donning red attire, family reunions, lighting up fire crackers and beating the drums have become part and parcel of CNY around the world. This year, the Chinese will usher the year of the wooden horse with its characteristic being a year of compassion and optimism. --BERNAMA