Like a Tiger

I love a good festival so I’ve compiled a ‘cheat sheet’ for the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Chinese New Year aligns with the new moon on the first day of the New Year; falling on February 14 (aka Valentine’s Day) – a busy day!

The full moon fifteen days later marks the end of the celebrations, also referred to as the ‘Spring Festival’, denoting the end of winter.

Chinese New Year preparations involve cleaning to rid the home (and self) of bad luck lurking from the previous year. Note: this is not a celebration for the lazy!

Once the domicile is immaculate; it’s time to bid adieu to the ‘Kitchen God’ (my ‘kitchen god’ materialises every evening creating wonderfully nutritious and tasty meals, but he’s another story!)

For the Chinese, the ‘Kitchen God’ guards the ‘hearth’ (read: stove – Singapore’s Housing Development Board wouldn’t allow hearths in our confined living areas!) The ‘Kitchen God’s’ duty is to report on a family’s behaviour throughout the year. (It’s called ‘dobbing’ or ‘telling tales’ in Australia and no one likes a dobber!)

To placate the ‘Kitchen God’, families bribe him with an array of sticky, gooey treats on New Years Eve to literally shut his mouth so he can’t utter a bad word. It’s all about smoke and mirrors.

In fact, innocent trickery is the undercurrent of the festival. Everyone’s behaviour is exemplary on New Year's Day; sporting new or improved clothes. Children and the young at heart receive ‘good luck’ money in red Lai-See envelopes, encouraging congenial behaviour. (The Chinese believe actions on New Year's Day sets the tone for the year ahead).

This belief has me concerned given a typical Australian New Year's Day involves a spiteful hangover, epitomising listlessness; remaining in one’s pj’s all day and night, whilst watching countless hours of mind numbing test cricket or other armchair sports. If New Year's Day is indicative of the year to follow; Australians are in serious trouble!

More tips on Chinese New Year coming soon - I’m off to do a spot of dusting!