|
Sunday, May 4 2025
CHINESE
NEW YEAR
|
|
|
|
| Date of Chinese New Year in 2025: February 7 |
Story relating to the festival:
Chinese New Year originated from China, when a monster
named 'Nian' came to attack a village. One day, an old
man came to the village and told the villagers to paste
red papers on their door, set firecrackers and nag their
gongs and drums. Then Nian came and they did what the
old man said and they drove Nian away. Therefore, people
celebrate this day every year to commemorate the triumph
against the monster.
It is also celebrated to welcome the Spring. On this
day, the Chinese visit each others' homes and exchange
oranges and red packets for the children. These gifts
signify good luck. Oranges are usually given in pairs,
as it is believed that even numbers are lucky, while
odd numbers are not
Swami's Message:
Chinese New Year is celebrated in the month of February.
Baba said, "Today, you celebrate the New Year of
Lunar Year (calendar). The year is described as Samvatsara
in Sanskrit. The term is also one of the names of God.
Without recognizing this divine significance of the
New Year, there is no purpose in celebrating it with
lavish decorations and sumptuous feast. It is not the
feast that is important, it is the ideal that is to
be pursued which is important.
How is the festival celebrated:
The night before Chinese New Year, close relatives
from the maternal side, gather together to have a reunion
dinner. Dinner is usually a 'steamboat'. On the first
day of Chinese New Year, most families will start by
the children kneeling in front of their parents, which
is a sign of respect, and ask for forgiveness. Then,
the children will be given red packets with money as
a token of love. Then families will usually visit the
temple to offer their prayers and then visit their maternal
home.
The second day of Chinese New Year is to visit the
paternal home and have other guests come over to visit
one's home. On the third day, families will usually
visit their friends and other distant relatives. Homes
will be decorated in the spirit of spring, pink spring
blossoms, red firecrackers and red sashes.
Also, the night before Chinese New Year, children will
stay awake past midnight, as the Chinese believe that
children staying awake past midnight, will help their
parents have a longer life span.
Jai Sai Ram
Sis Ruyun
SSEHV Group 4
|
