2012: The Year of the Dragon
The Chinese New Year will commence on 23 January 2012. It is the year of Dragon. Dragons have a natural charisma and are gifted with power and luck, they are innovative, brave, enterprising, passionate and self assured. However, they can be conceited, tactless, quick tempered and will stop at nothing to get what they want. A person born in this year is capable of great achievements provided they know how to harness their tremendous energy, intelligence and talent.
Ways to celebrate Chinese New Year:
· Clean House - Before the New Year arrives, the Chinese consider it very important to give the house a thorough cleaning, sweeping away any bad luck that may have accumulated over the past year. Sweeping or dusting should not be done on New Year's Day for fear that good fortune will be swept away
· Decorate –Chinese families decorate their living rooms with vase of pretty blossoms platters of oranges and tangerines. On walls and doors are poetic couplets, happy wishes written on red paper. In the north, people like to hang papercuts on doors and windows.
· An important tradition on New Year's Eve is for families to gather together. New Year’s Eve and New year’s Day are celebrated as a family affair, a time of reunion and thanksgiving. The celebration was traditionally with a religious ceremony given in honor of Heaven and Earth, the Gods of the house hold and the family ancestors.
· Give out money packets - On New Years day, children receive leisee - red packets decorated with gold symbols and filled with "lucky money".
Food for Chinese New Year
In the north of China, the small meat dumplings (Jiao Zi) are the most preferred. In the south, the most favorite and typical food were Nian Gao, Steamed Glutinous rice puddings. Other foods include a whole fish, to represent togetherness and abundance, and a chicken for prosperity. The chicken must be presented with a head, tail and feet to symbolize completeness. Noodles should be uncut, as they represent long life.
Throughout the New Years season, certain foods are served because they symbolize abundance and good fortune. Besides preparing special dishes, tangerines and oranges are often passed out to children and guests, as they symbolize wealth and good luck.
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Special thanks to the International Social Group for sending this in to Young Flintshire. The International Social Group are a community group based in Flintshire made up of Chinese, Malaysian, English and Welsh people, they have been operating since 2006.
During that time they have successfully organised a range of social activities including - Cook and Eat sessions, Golf, Tai Chi, Hiking, Organising Day Trips to places of interest, Badminton, & Painting. They now have over 35 members from all parts of the county who meet regularly.
Anyone who has an interest in the aims and objectives of the organisation are very welcome to join. If you are interested in meeting new friends and socialising or would simply like to know about the group please do not hesitate in get in touch.
