The turn of the year in the Chinese calendar is often the most eagerly awaited moment of most people. Speaking of Chinese New Year or Chinese New Year is also a time awaited by Chinese society.
The word "Imlek" itself is not the name of the actual Chinese New Year celebrations. This word is taken from Hokien Language and is known and used only by Indonesians. Outside, the celebration is better known as the Chinese New Year for westerners, while the Chinese name it "Guo Nian" or "Xin Jia" meaning passing a new moon or month.
Lunar New Year itself has existed since 4000 years ago and along with the development of the era then formed some traditions that eventually became a tradition down and must be lived in every celebration of Imlek. Then what are the unique traditions that exist during the Lunar New Year celebration?
Here are the unique traditions of Lunar New Year:
Clean House
In the belief of the Chinese community cleaning the house means throwing away all the ugliness that prevents the coming of luck. The tradition of cleaning is usually done by the Chinese community one day before Imlek, because it is believed that cleaning the house during Imlek will throw away the fortune in that year.Home Decoration
In addition to cleaning, decorating the house is also a thing done before the Lunar New Year. The doors and windows are re-painted, and plastered with paper that reads sentences or good words. Where most of the decorations are used in red, which for the Chinese community symbolizes something prosperous and strong, and brings good luck.Multipurpose Color Red
One characteristic in every Chinese New Year celebration is the use of red in every place. The red color symbolizes something strong, prosperous, and carries hockey. Not only that red color is also believed to drive out Nian or a kind of wild creatures that live on the seabed or mountain that comes out during the spring or during the Lunar New Year. Nian itself is believed to come to disrupt humans, especially small children. That's why the Chinese people decorate the house, and use clothes, as well as red accessories at the Imlek.Typical Chinese Cuisine
Any feast feels incomplete if it is not served mandatory meals during the day of the celebration. Just as during the Lunar New Year celebration, Lunar specialties such as basket cakes, and oranges become the obligatory food that is present during Imlek.
For the Chinese community, the food served during the celebration takes place consisting of at least 12 types of food which symbolizes 12 kinds of zodiac in Chinese society belief. In addition to symbolize the zodiac, each of these foods also has its own meaning. For example, whole chickens that symbolize the prosperity of the family, long noodles that symbolize the long life that way of eating it should not be cut or a layer of legit cake that defines the sustenance of layers.Abstinence Food Porridge
If the basket and orange cake become the typical food during Imlek, it is different with porridge. Porridge into a food that is unbelievable served when Imlek. Porridge is considered a symbol of poverty.Prohibited Flipping Fish When Eating
Eating fish may be a common thing during celebrations. But different if done during Imlek. In Imlek tradition you are prohibited from taking fish meat at the bottom, not only that you are also required to leave the fish you eat to be enjoyed the next day. The Chinese community believe that this habit is a symbol of surplus value for the coming year.Firecrackers and Fireworks
Firecrackers and fireworks are synonymous with a great celebration, especially during the New Year, the same is true during the Lunar New Year celebration. In addition to celebrating this one-year celebration, according to Chinese belief, burning firecrackers and fireworks right on the Lunar New Year day is a must to ward off bad luck in the previous year and expect a happier and better new year.Liong and Barongsai performances
In Chinese belief, Liong (dragon) and Barongsai are symbols of happiness and pleasure. Dragon and lion dance is believed to be a show that can bring good luck and one way to drive out evil spirits that will disturb humans. So it is not surprising that this show is always there in every Lunar New Year celebration.Share Angpao
This one tradition is not foreign to you. The tradition that has never been absent in every Chinese New Year celebration is indeed the most eagerly awaited moment of the Lunar New Year celebration. Tradition for-for angpao this is a tradition where Chinese people who have married provide sustenance to children and their parents. In Chinese belief, the money in the angpao to be distributed should not be filled with 4 in it because the number 4 is considered unlucky. In Chinese the number four sounds like the word 'dead'.
In addition, the amount of money given also should not be odd because it is associated with the funeral. For-for angpao also believed to be more smoothly fortune in the future. The meaning of tradition to share angpao at this Imlek is related to the transfer of energy and welfare that is also believed to facilitate the fortune in the future.
Visit your relatives
Not only during Idul Fitri, Imlek is also a good time to visit you. This moment is used by the Chinese community to strengthen the ropes of brotherhood. So not surprisingly, at the time of the Lunar New Year many Chinese who returned to their hometown to celebrate with their families.Yu Sheng Tradition
The tradition of eating Yu Sheng is a tradition that has recently become a trend in Indonesian society of Chinese descent. This tradition was brought by fishermen from South China who migrated to peninsular Malaysia in the 19th century. Yu Sheng itself is a tradition that is done to welcome the Chinese New Year associated with special dishes at the turn of the year. According to custom, this menu must be presented and eaten with a prayer of thanksgiving for the sustenance that has been given. Yu Sheng's companion prayer aims that families who eat Yu Sheng get better sustenance in the new year.
In this tradition the food is served in a single plate of Yu Sheng. On the plate there are some cold foods such as salmon slices, carrots, and other salads. Then given sesame sauce, plums, and so forth. The members sitting at the table will stir the food together and lift it with the highest chopsticks while saying "Lao Qi" or "Lao Hei"
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