To all BCers, Wishing you... Happy Chinese New Year! May this Rabbit year bring us lots of good things, better than previous years
Red packet = Ang Pow = Lai See = Hung Bao = Ii Xi . Correct, Ang is Hokkien language for red. I think most BCers know what "Red packets" mean. For those who don't, here is some info; Chinese New Year is never complete without the well loved “Ang Pow”, but there's more than meets the eye about this generous tradition. How It All Started The story of the “Ang Pow” dates back all the way to the Sung Dynasty in China. At that time, a huge demon was terrorizing a village called Chang-Chieu. Many great warriors from near and far tried to defeat the monster but to no avail. No one was capable of defeating it, not even the greatest warriors or statesmen. Then, a young orphan, armed with a magical saber inherited from his ancestors, fought the evil demon and eventually killed it. The villagers were overjoyed and the elders presented the brave young man with a red packet filled with money to thank him for his courage. Since then, the “Ang Pow” or the red packet has become a part of traditional Chinese customs. The Envelope with Money A Chinese red packet is actually just a simple red envelope in which money is enclosed. These envelopes are decorated with lucky symbols, conveying blessing of prosperity for the recipient. It is common to give these out during the lunar New Year. The packet is often referred to as Hong Bao in Mandarin, (known as Ang Pao in Hokkien and Lai See in Cantonese and "Ii xi" in Vietnamese) and is derived from the word Yin Yang (Yang denoting positive energy). The envelopes are red as that color represents blessings and prosperity in the Chinese culture. Ang pow is also said to enhance energy (chi), abundance and happiness. The envelope is also utilized to ward off inauspicious chi and negative energy. The envelopes are red because they are considered yang energy. Receiving and Giving Them As part of the Chinese New Year celebration, parents, grandparents, close relatives, or friends give red packets to their loved ones, such as young boys and girls or any person cherished to wish them good luck. As a general rule, Ang Pows are given to children and young adults who aren't married. Red packets are also given as gifts at weddings and birthdays. Nowadays, some employers give red packets to their employees as a year- end bonus as well. Newly married couple give two red packets to their relatives (two packets represent "on behalf of both wife and husband"). Some sign their names and include some good wishes on either side of the envelope but these are all up to individual preference. All in all, Ang Pow can be given at any time and one doesn't really need a special occasion as they are considered extremely auspicious. Some believe that keeping the Ang Pow with some cash left in it brings luck and the red packet is then carried in one's wallet or bag. How much money is to be given in the red packet? There is no limit. It depends upon the person and occasion. If the giver is a very close relative, there is usually a higher amount of money inside. If the relative is more distant, the money will be less. Generally the older the child, the higher the amount. But do remember that it's the thought that counts. Occasions for Ang Pow The amount of money enclosed in the envelope also depends upon the occasion for which it is given. Weddings In Chinese weddings, guests will give the red packet or Ang Pow as a gift to the newlyweds. At the reception table, there is an Ang Pow box where guests can put their red packets in and there is always a close relative or family member who is in charge of the box. If it is for a wedding, the envelope is generally filled with a higher amount of money than normal occasions. Birthdays It is traditional and customary to give red envelopes to parents when their baby celebrates his or her first month. In return, parents distribute to well-wishers gifts like red dyed eggs, yellow rice (nasi kunyit) with curry chicken and bean cakes (ang ku). Money is usually given as birthday gifts for celebrants of all ages. The elderly also distribute gifts of money to the younger generation when they celebrate a big milestone, for example, their 70th birthday. Feng Shui Feng Shui devotees believe that a red envelope containing a gold coin (i-ching coin), can bring good luck to the holder when placed in your purse, wallet, accounts books or handbag. The envelopes are also used as wish list holders; you write your dreams and aspirations on a piece of red paper and place it inside the red envelope and sit back and wait. Some Feng Shui practitioners even insist on being paid with their fee inside a red envelope. Other Cultures The giving of Ang Pow has cut across cultural lines, and is no longer restricted to the Chinese only. For example, Muslims give money concealed in a green packet the same size and shape as an ang pow, decorated with Islamic motifs, to young children during Syawal. Similarly, Indians have also gotten into the act of giving cash, and tuck their legal tender into different coloured packets that are handed out to little kids during Deepavali. Where to Get Ang Pow Packets? Ang pow packets are usually given out free by banks, jewellery shops, hotels and shops to their customers. They can also be purchased from bookshops. This generous Chinese custom of ang pow giving will always be in vogue, and will never lose its charm for centuries to come. As a famous saying goes, "Money makes the world go round", and what better way than to give it well packaged and sealed with good tidings? Source: http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Story-of-Red-Packet .
Happy Rabbit Year Gong Xi Fa Cai, wishing all Bcers enlarge your wealth and wish your dreams come true in this Rabbit Year. With each passing moments, let us embrace the Chinese New Year with a brighter, colorful and joyous future. Xing Nian Kuai Le! Gong Xi Gong Xi!!
Xing Nian Kuai Le! Gong Xi Gong Xi!! . Send this song to you suetyan; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwtGuFem-ZA .
Chinese New Year: Day 2 . Hope that many have enjoyed CNY Day 1. On CNY Day 1, we have the welcoming of the deities of the heavens and earth, officially beginning at midnight. Many people, especially Buddhists, abstain from meat consumption on the first day because it is believed that this will ensure longevity for them. Some consider lighting fires and using knives to be bad luck on New Year's Day, so all food to be consumed is cooked the day before. For Buddhists, the first day is also the birthday of Maitreya Bodhisattva (better known as the more familiar Budai Luohan), the Buddha-to-be. People also abstain from killing animals. Most importantly, the first day of Chinese New Year is a time when families visit the oldest and most senior members of their extended family, usually their parents, grandparents or great-grandparents. Some families may invite a lion dance troupe as a symbolic ritual to usher in the Chinese New Year as well as to evict bad spirits from the premises. Members of the family who are married also give red envelopes containing cash to junior members of the family, mostly children and teenagers. Business managers also give bonuses through red envelopes to employees for good luck and wealth. While fireworks and firecrackers are traditionally very popular, some regions have banned them due to concerns over fire hazards, which have resulted in increased number of fires around New Years and challenged municipal fire departments' work capacity. For this reason, various city governments (e.g., Hong Kong, and Beijing, for a number of years) issued bans over fireworks and firecrackers in certain premises of the city. As a substitute, large-scale fireworks have been launched by governments in cities like Hong Kong to offer citizens the experience. Now, CNY Day 2 has arrived. The second day of the Chinese New Year is for married daughters to visit their birth parents. Traditionally, daughters who have been married may not have the opportunity to visit their birth families frequently. On the second day, the Chinese pray to their ancestors as well as to all the gods. They are extra kind to all dogs and feed them well as it is believed that the second day is the birthday of all dogs. Business people of the Cantonese dialect group will hold a 'Hoi Nin' prayer to start their business on the 2nd day of Chinese New Year. The prayer is done to pray that they will be blessed with good luck and prosperity in their business for the year. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year .
Chinese New Year: Day 3 Now, CNY Day 3 has arrived. The third day is known as chì kǒu (赤口), directly translated as "red mouth". chì kǒu is also called chì gǒu rì (赤狗日). chì gǒu means "the God of Blazing Wrath" (熛怒之神). It is generally accepted that it is not a good day to socialize or visit your relatives and friends. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year But I am not listening to this; Because I am going out to socialise today. .
Lol...Brunei. I asked about Nigeria in another thread because I am really curious to know as I may consider a job posting at Nigeria.
Chinese New Year: Day 5 . Today we arrived at CNY Day 5. On the 5th day; In northern China, people eat jiǎo zi (simplified Chinese: 饺子; traditional Chinese: 餃子), or dumplings on the morning of Po Wu (破五). This is also the birthday of the Chinese god of wealth. In Taiwan, businesses traditionally re-open on the next day (the sixth day), accompanied by firecrackers. It is also common in China that on the 5th day people will shoot off firecrackers in the attempt to get Guan Yu's attention, thus ensuring his favor and good fortune for the new year. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year I wish to shoot off firecrackers in the attempt to get Guan Yu's attention, but in Australia firecrackers are banned for personal use. .
Chinese New Year: Day 9 . Today we arrived at CNY Day 9. On the 9th day; The 9th day of the New Year is a day for Chinese to offer prayers to the Jade Emperor of Heaven (天宮) in the Taoist Pantheon. The ninth day is traditionally the birthday of the Jade Emperor. This day is especially important to Hokkiens. Come midnight of the eighth day of the new year, Hokkiens will offer thanks giving prayers to the Emperor of Heaven. Offerings will include sugarcane as it was the sugarcane that had protected the Hokkiens from certain extermination generations ago. Incense, tea, fruit, vegetarian food or roast pig, and paper gold is served as a customary protocol for paying respect to an honored person. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year .
