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Friday, Mar 29 2024  

CHINESE NEW YEAR

 

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


 

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