Word for the Day Blessing or problem?
What one culture considers to be a blessing,
Another culture might regard as a problem!
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| This inedible fruit with five "nipples" symbolises to the Chinese that it is a great blessing if 5 generations are living under the same roof! |
HOME Celebrating Chinese New Year
New Year Spring Festival is a very busy time for the Chinese, with people returning to their
homes far and wide, to celebrate with family much as the Americans celebrate Thanksgiving Day. A nation with a sense of unity in their celebration was a unique experience for hubby and I, spending 6 years teaching Hong Kong.
To bring the sweet scent of spring inside, families visit the flower market on the day before the new year. Pretty branches of plum blossoms, which symbolize perseverance, are arranged with strong, flexible bamboo stalks. Add a green pine sprig to show constancy, or a golden kumquat, which represents wealth. You might also see pussy willows, azaleas, water narcissus, or peonies, China's national flower. http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/3515
New Year's feasting begins on New Year's eve. In northern China, families gather at kitchen tables to stuff and steam dumplings. Families in the south like to eat "nian gao", a sweet, sticky rice cake. The next day, platters of delicious, steamy food blanket the table. A fish is served whole to show the family has been given more than enough. Steamed chickens, with their heads, tails and feet still attached, symbolize togetherness. And long noodles are eaten to show hope for a long, long life. http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/3516
The shimmering, frolicking Lion Dance banishes last year's troubles and welcomes the new year's promises. As one person hoists the lion's head, and another moves with the body and tail, the lion begins to dance. Musicians beat a thunderous rhythm with a drum, a gong and cymbals, tempting the lively lion to prance and jump. http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/3517
To scare away the terrible Nian, the daring villagers lit hissing, popping firecrackers. Now the first hours of every new year are filled with the sounds of Hiss! Pop! Boom! After the last firecracker explodes, when everything is quiet, the wrappers lie like a red carpet on shop floors and sidewalks.
http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/3518
Families and friends carry bright oranges, leafy tangerines and golden pomelos when they stop to visit during Chinese New Year. Oranges symbolize wealth because the Cantonese words for "orange" and "wealth" sound alike. The words for "tangerine" and "luck" also sound alike, and the word for "pomelo" sounds like the word for "to have". Tangerines given with the leaves still on show that your family ties are strong.
http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/3519
A tray full of happiness sits by the door, ready to share with visitors. Sweet dried fruits like candied melon, lychee nuts, kumquats, longan and coconut sit beside salty, dyed red melon seeds, lotus seeds and peanuts. Each food represents something to hope for in the new year: good health, a strong family, prosperity, being together, happiness, many babies, good children and a long life.
http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/3520
Children's pockets bulge with a windfall of shiny, red envelopes. Each envelope is a gift; the glossy, red paper and golden designs symbolize hope for happiness in the new year. Open them later to find coins?or maybe even crisp paper money?to spend as you like on new toys and sweet candy.
http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/3521
Chinese New Year ends with the Lantern Festival, when bright paper lanterns help the full moon light up the sky. Made of bamboo and colorful, delicate paper, some lanterns are decorated with funny riddles. While you ponder them, watch for the lion and dragon dancers and eat some "yuan xiao", the sticky, round dumplings that bring the Lantern Festival, and the whole New Year celebration, to a sweet close.
Legend of Chinese New
Year:
No one is quite
sure exactly when or where the festival originated. Legend has it that once
upon a time, there was a monster called Nian that attacked Chinese villages
every spring, eating anything that came its way – people, animals, plants and
the odd building. One spring, villagers hung red paper on their doors and threw
bamboo on a fire when arrived. The monster was so startled by the bright colors
and loud crackling noise of the burning bamboo that it turned and fled. Today
the word“ nian” is the Chinese word for year.
Since that day,
Chinese people hang red paper signs and lanterns outside their homes and enjoy
making loud noises on New Year’s Eve. Firecrackers replaced bamboo after
gunpowder was invented and the main idea today is the louder and bigger, the
better.
Activities of the Spring
Festival:
·New Year Cleaning
In the days leading
up to the Spring Festival, every household gets a thorough clean since sweeping
on New Year’s Day itself might sweep away the year’s good fortune. Breaking
dishes or using sharp objects is also seen as potentially unlucky.
·Family Reunion
Dinner
On Chinese New Year Eve, a grand family reunion dinner is
held in every home. All family members are expected to return home for the
reunion.Foods in the typical menu are chosen for their auspicious meanings,
such as fish for richness and glutinous rick cakes (Nian Gao) for better life.
Usually the fish is intentionally not finished, and the remaining is stored
overnight. It comes from a Chinese pun "Nian Nian You Yu", where the
pronounciation of fish (Yu) is the same as leftover/surplus, thus giving a
message of "having profit every year".
·The Character Fu
The Character Fu, literally meaning luck, auspiciousness,
happiness or blessing, is a must in Spring Festival decorations. It can be
found on a poster, on a red envelope, as a paper-cutting work, on a Chinese
knot, and in many other New Year decorations for the festival.
An interesting fact
is that the Character Fu is usually displayed upside-down. That's because in
Chinese, the words for "upside-down" and "to arrive" sound
similar. Therefore, pasting the Character Fu upside-down on a door indicates "Good
luck arrives".
·New Year Couplets
New Year Couplets
are an essential part of Spring Festival decorations. New Year Couplets are
written in black ink on two vertical strips of red paper which is then pasted
each on one side of a door. The first (or upper) line is on the right side
while the second (lower) line is on the left. A third horizontal piece is
pasted on the door frame.
Typically the New
Year Couplets present a happy and hopeful message and sincere wish for a better
New Year.
·Worship Ceremony
Ancestral worship and God worship are important parts of
festivals.
·Red Envelope
Red Envelope or Red Packetis a monetary gift (lucky money
packed in a red envelope) presented at social and family gatherings such as
weddings or on holidays such as the Lunar New Year. It symbolizes good luck and
is supposed to ward off evil spirits. It is also named as Ya Sui Qian, meaning
money to guard against evil and bless with happiness.
Traditionally the
lucky money is in even number (especially in a number with auspicious
meanings). For example, 88 is a lucky number for the pronounciation of eight is
similar to the words for getting rich.
Garden LUCKY BAMBOO PLANT
Lucky bamboo is frequently seen growing in unusual spiraling forms, which seem to enhance its appeal. Bamboo does not naturally grow this way.
The curving shapes are produced by laying the plants on their sides, with light directed from the top and shielded from each side, causing them to grow in one direction only - toward the light and opposite gravity. The plants are rotated regularly to encourage the spiraling form. Naturally, this is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process which justifies the somewhat higher prices commanded by lucky bamboos.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2037081_care-lucky-bamboo.html
May we each give a priority to our cultural and family celebrations.
from Robyn
Robin in a flowering gum
Painted by Brenda, Robyn’s mum
New Year Spring Festival is a very busy time for the Chinese, with people returning to their
homes far and wide, to celebrate with family much as the Americans celebrate Thanksgiving Day. A nation with a sense of unity in their celebration was a unique experience for hubby and I, spending 6 years teaching Hong Kong.
To bring the sweet scent of spring inside, families visit the flower market on the day before the new year. Pretty branches of plum blossoms, which symbolize perseverance, are arranged with strong, flexible bamboo stalks. Add a green pine sprig to show constancy, or a golden kumquat, which represents wealth. You might also see pussy willows, azaleas, water narcissus, or peonies, China's national flower. http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/3515
The shimmering, frolicking Lion Dance banishes last year's troubles and welcomes the new year's promises. As one person hoists the lion's head, and another moves with the body and tail, the lion begins to dance. Musicians beat a thunderous rhythm with a drum, a gong and cymbals, tempting the lively lion to prance and jump. http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/3517
To scare away the terrible Nian, the daring villagers lit hissing, popping firecrackers. Now the first hours of every new year are filled with the sounds of Hiss! Pop! Boom! After the last firecracker explodes, when everything is quiet, the wrappers lie like a red carpet on shop floors and sidewalks.
http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/3518
Families and friends carry bright oranges, leafy tangerines and golden pomelos when they stop to visit during Chinese New Year. Oranges symbolize wealth because the Cantonese words for "orange" and "wealth" sound alike. The words for "tangerine" and "luck" also sound alike, and the word for "pomelo" sounds like the word for "to have". Tangerines given with the leaves still on show that your family ties are strong.
http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/3519
A tray full of happiness sits by the door, ready to share with visitors. Sweet dried fruits like candied melon, lychee nuts, kumquats, longan and coconut sit beside salty, dyed red melon seeds, lotus seeds and peanuts. Each food represents something to hope for in the new year: good health, a strong family, prosperity, being together, happiness, many babies, good children and a long life.
http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/3520
http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/3520
Children's pockets bulge with a windfall of shiny, red envelopes. Each envelope is a gift; the glossy, red paper and golden designs symbolize hope for happiness in the new year. Open them later to find coins?or maybe even crisp paper money?to spend as you like on new toys and sweet candy.
http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/3521
http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/3521
Chinese New Year ends with the Lantern Festival, when bright paper lanterns help the full moon light up the sky. Made of bamboo and colorful, delicate paper, some lanterns are decorated with funny riddles. While you ponder them, watch for the lion and dragon dancers and eat some "yuan xiao", the sticky, round dumplings that bring the Lantern Festival, and the whole New Year celebration, to a sweet close.
Legend of Chinese New
Year:
No one is quite sure exactly when or where the festival originated. Legend has it that once upon a time, there was a monster called Nian that attacked Chinese villages every spring, eating anything that came its way – people, animals, plants and the odd building. One spring, villagers hung red paper on their doors and threw bamboo on a fire when arrived. The monster was so startled by the bright colors and loud crackling noise of the burning bamboo that it turned and fled. Today the word“ nian” is the Chinese word for year.
Since that day, Chinese people hang red paper signs and lanterns outside their homes and enjoy making loud noises on New Year’s Eve. Firecrackers replaced bamboo after gunpowder was invented and the main idea today is the louder and bigger, the better.
Activities of the Spring Festival:
·New Year Cleaning
In the days leading up to the Spring Festival, every household gets a thorough clean since sweeping on New Year’s Day itself might sweep away the year’s good fortune. Breaking dishes or using sharp objects is also seen as potentially unlucky.
·FamilyReunion
Dinner
On Chinese New Year Eve, a grand family reunion dinner is held in every home. All family members are expected to return home for the reunion.Foods in the typical menu are chosen for their auspicious meanings, such as fish for richness and glutinous rick cakes (Nian Gao) for better life. Usually the fish is intentionally not finished, and the remaining is stored overnight. It comes from a Chinese pun "Nian Nian You Yu", where the pronounciation of fish (Yu) is the same as leftover/surplus, thus giving a message of "having profit every year".
·The Character Fu
The Character Fu, literally meaning luck, auspiciousness, happiness or blessing, is a must in Spring Festival decorations. It can be found on a poster, on a red envelope, as a paper-cutting work, on a Chinese knot, and in many other New Year decorations for the festival.
An interesting fact is that the Character Fu is usually displayed upside-down. That's because in Chinese, the words for "upside-down" and "to arrive" sound similar. Therefore, pasting the Character Fu upside-down on a door indicates "Good luck arrives".
·New Year Couplets
New Year Couplets are an essential part of Spring Festival decorations. New Year Couplets are written in black ink on two vertical strips of red paper which is then pasted each on one side of a door. The first (or upper) line is on the right side while the second (lower) line is on the left. A third horizontal piece is pasted on the door frame.
Typically the New Year Couplets present a happy and hopeful message and sincere wish for a better New Year.
·Worship Ceremony
Ancestral worship and God worship are important parts of festivals.
No one is quite sure exactly when or where the festival originated. Legend has it that once upon a time, there was a monster called Nian that attacked Chinese villages every spring, eating anything that came its way – people, animals, plants and the odd building. One spring, villagers hung red paper on their doors and threw bamboo on a fire when arrived. The monster was so startled by the bright colors and loud crackling noise of the burning bamboo that it turned and fled. Today the word“ nian” is the Chinese word for year.
Since that day, Chinese people hang red paper signs and lanterns outside their homes and enjoy making loud noises on New Year’s Eve. Firecrackers replaced bamboo after gunpowder was invented and the main idea today is the louder and bigger, the better.
Activities of the Spring Festival:
·New Year Cleaning
In the days leading up to the Spring Festival, every household gets a thorough clean since sweeping on New Year’s Day itself might sweep away the year’s good fortune. Breaking dishes or using sharp objects is also seen as potentially unlucky.
·Family
On Chinese New Year Eve, a grand family reunion dinner is held in every home. All family members are expected to return home for the reunion.Foods in the typical menu are chosen for their auspicious meanings, such as fish for richness and glutinous rick cakes (Nian Gao) for better life. Usually the fish is intentionally not finished, and the remaining is stored overnight. It comes from a Chinese pun "Nian Nian You Yu", where the pronounciation of fish (Yu) is the same as leftover/surplus, thus giving a message of "having profit every year".
·The Character Fu
The Character Fu, literally meaning luck, auspiciousness, happiness or blessing, is a must in Spring Festival decorations. It can be found on a poster, on a red envelope, as a paper-cutting work, on a Chinese knot, and in many other New Year decorations for the festival.
An interesting fact is that the Character Fu is usually displayed upside-down. That's because in Chinese, the words for "upside-down" and "to arrive" sound similar. Therefore, pasting the Character Fu upside-down on a door indicates "Good luck arrives".
·New Year Couplets
New Year Couplets are an essential part of Spring Festival decorations. New Year Couplets are written in black ink on two vertical strips of red paper which is then pasted each on one side of a door. The first (or upper) line is on the right side while the second (lower) line is on the left. A third horizontal piece is pasted on the door frame.
Typically the New Year Couplets present a happy and hopeful message and sincere wish for a better New Year.
·Worship Ceremony
Ancestral worship and God worship are important parts of festivals.
·Red Envelope
Red Envelope or Red Packetis a monetary gift (lucky money packed in a red envelope) presented at social and family gatherings such as weddings or on holidays such as the Lunar New Year. It symbolizes good luck and is supposed to ward off evil spirits. It is also named as Ya Sui Qian, meaning money to guard against evil and bless with happiness.
Traditionally the lucky money is in even number (especially in a number with auspicious meanings). For example, 88 is a lucky number for the pronounciation of eight is similar to the words for getting rich.
Red Envelope or Red Packetis a monetary gift (lucky money packed in a red envelope) presented at social and family gatherings such as weddings or on holidays such as the Lunar New Year. It symbolizes good luck and is supposed to ward off evil spirits. It is also named as Ya Sui Qian, meaning money to guard against evil and bless with happiness.
Traditionally the lucky money is in even number (especially in a number with auspicious meanings). For example, 88 is a lucky number for the pronounciation of eight is similar to the words for getting rich.
Garden LUCKY BAMBOO PLANT
Lucky bamboo is frequently seen growing in unusual spiraling forms, which seem to enhance its appeal. Bamboo does not naturally grow this way.
The curving shapes are produced by laying the plants on their sides, with light directed from the top and shielded from each side, causing them to grow in one direction only - toward the light and opposite gravity. The plants are rotated regularly to encourage the spiraling form. Naturally, this is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process which justifies the somewhat higher prices commanded by lucky bamboos.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2037081_care-lucky-bamboo.html
May we each give a priority to our cultural and family celebrations.
Robin in a flowering gum
Painted by Brenda, Robyn’s mum
Zhou Youguang helped invent Pinyin, a writing system that turns Chinese characters into words using letters from the Roman alphabet. This makes it easier to learn how to pronounce Chinese words, and is credited with helping raise literacy rates in China. Students struggling to learn Chinese might not know it, but their task has been made easier because of the work of one man.
Despite his achievements, Mr Zhou remains largely unknown in his home country say Will and Guy, which comes as a major surprise.
Perhaps that is because the 106-year-old is a defiant character, refusing to take much credit for his work. Mr Zhou has remained optimistic about life despite going through tough times.
When he started work on developing Pinyin, 85% of Chinese people could not read or write.
Now, we can state that is just a few per cent of Chinese who cannot read.