This year, the Chinese New Year falls on January 29. The New Year’s Day often varies in the next year because the Chinese has been using the lunar calendar since the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. – 220 A.D.). This calendar blends solar, lunar, and other cycles for social and agricultural purposes. Nowadays, Chinese in Hong Kong often use the Gregorian calendar as well.
According to the Chinese calendar, each year is linked to one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, and 2025 marks the Year of the Snake, the sixth animal in the zodiac cycle. In sequence, the 12 animals are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. I don’t mean to recognize the truthfulness of this belief; it’s only a background info for you to understand why there always has a connection with some animal(s) in the Chinese New Year festive displays.
The color of red is seen everywhere in Chinese communities. Culturally speaking, red is a symbol of energy, celebration, good fortune and prosperity. Married men and women, even the superiors at workplace may hand out red packet money to wish you good fortune in the year ahead.
When talking about festive dishes, fish (pronounced as “yu” in Chinese) that signifies abundance, and is a sign of prosperity, is a MUST in the menu.
And there’re 3 Don’ts during the New Year festival:
• Don’t say unlucky words like “death”, “illness” or “loss”, if you use these words, they will follow you the whole year.
• Don’t break porcelain or glass.
• Don’t sweep or clean so that good luck won’t be swept away from home.
Thankfully, I believe that Chinese who are Christians are however free from the “curse” of these customs. In Jesus Christ, we are free and safe!
To experience the Chinese way of new year celebrations, there’re at least 4 places that you can go in the GTA. This Saturday and Sunday, inside the Chinatown Centre and the Dragon City Mall, both on Spadina Avenue, you can join the 2025 Toronto Chinatown Lunar New Year Celebrations between 11 to 5. To name a few, don’t forget to watch the Chinese kung-fu, lion dance, Sichuan’s face-changing act, live calligraphy! Or, watch the shows on Centre Stage at the Pacific Mall on Steeles Avenue East between 1 to 3 p.m. At 2 to 3 p.m. on Feb 1, you can also go to the Centre Court inside CF Markville Mall in Markham. It’s always good to add wonderful moments, filled with community spirit, to our stressful life.
Wishing you health, joy, and prosperity! Happy Lunar New Year!
Lion Dance
Lion Dance
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