Kung Hei Fat Choi

Today was a day of celebrations for us in the Philippines. First and formost, it is Allan's birthday! After church we had lunch at a local Italian retaurant, Italiannis. Instead of a cake, Allan wanted Krispy Kreme doughnuts. The kids were all for that so we stopped by and picked some up after lunch.

The crowds were out and about today, but it wasn't in celebration of Big Al's birth. Today also happens to be Chinese New Year. This year is the year of the Pig or Boar. Supposedly a lucky year in the Chinese tradition. Chinese New Year is celebrated throughout most Asian countries, but particularly in the Philippines because of the large Chinese population. Just after Christmas decorations came down, the red New Year's decorations were displayed throughout the malls and most stores. Tables filled with Buddas, lots of red fans and papers with chinese sayings and gold good luck charms have been for sale. As well as paper laterns to scare away evil spirits.

In the Philippines, this day is celebrated by lion and dragon dancing, giving of ang pao (red packets of money), and eating misua (wheat noodles) by the Chinese community. But every grocery store, market and street corner stall sells tikoy, a kind of rice cake that is a traditional fare of the celebration eaten or given as gifts by many Filipinos.

The lion dance is used as a symbolic ritual to usher in the New Year as well as to evict bad spirits from the premises. Today at Mega-mall, there were 3 two person lions performing and traveling througout the mall as well as one really long dragon. The kids were quite excited and thrilled by them.

In case, like us, you are unfamiliar with Chinese New Year, below are a few facts and tradtions you might find interesting. Also all these pictures were taken (not by us) at last year's New Years celebration in Manila's Chinatown.

"According to legend, in ancient China, the nian, a man-eating beast from the mountains, could silently infiltrate houses to prey on humans. The people later learned that the nian was sensitive to loud noises and the color red, so they scared it away with explosions, fireworks and the liberal use of the color red. These customs led to the first New Year celebrations. Guò nián, which means to celebrate the new year, literally means the passing of the nian beast." (Wikipedia)

China follows the lunar calendar, therefore Chinese New Year starts on the first day of the new year containing a new moon. So it is on a different day of our calendar every year. Traditionally, it is a 14 day celebration depending on the country, but throughout most of Asia it has been reduced to a 3 day celebration. There are many superstitions and traditions to follow in order to bring good luck to your family. I have listed them below. In case you need to know, poor Will is going to have bead luck this year because I cut his hair today. Good thing we believe in providence and grace.

Good Luck

• Opening windows and/or doors is considered to 'bring in' the good luck of the new year.


• Switching on the lights for the night is considered good luck to 'scare away' ghosts and spirits of misfortune that may compromise the luck and fortune of the new year.


• Candy is eaten to ensure the consumer a "sweet" year. (do doughnuts count?)

Bad Luck

• Buying a pair of shoes is considered bad luck. The word "shoes" is a homophone for the word for "rough" in Cantonese.


• Buying a pair of pants is considered bad luck. The word "pants" is a homophone for the word for "bitter" in Cantonese. (Although some perceive it to be positive as the word 'pants' in Cantonese could be a homophone for the word for "wealth".)


• A hair-cut is considered bad luck. The word "hair" is a homophone for the word for "prosperity". Thus "cutting hair" could be perceived as "cutting away your prosperity" in Cantonese.


• Sweeping the floor is considered bad luck, as it will sweep away the good fortune and luck for the new year; in the same way that having a bath will wash away the good fortune.


• Talking about death is inappropriate for the first few days of Chinese New Year, as it is considered inauspicious as well.


• Buying books is bad luck because the word for "book" is a homonym to the word "lose".

Each day in the New year celebration has it's own activities and traditions. The second day of the Chinese New Year is for married daughters to visit their birth parents. So Mom and Dad, I'll be there to see you tomorrow! (oh, if only)