Chinese culture is filled with holidays and celebrations, the Lunar New Year being the biggest. Not only is it the largest mass movement of people in the world, it is also one of the globe’s most colorful and glamorous celebrations. This February 1st, let’s welcome the year of the Tiger!
Thailand is known as being home to the largest overseas Chinese community in the world: therefore, the Chinese New Year is very important in the country. During this three-day festival (29th January -1st February), many of the rituals - like dragon dances and even the special foods eaten - are imbued with magical meaning.
This month, Chang Puak Magazine invites you to take a look at some of the most widely observed customs that frame 5,000 years of Chinese: history, mythology, cuisine, spirituality, business, and imperial reigns. Of course, the number of ancestral Chinese traditions is counted by hundreds but here are some traditions that you will see everywhere and you might like to join in.
1/ SEEING RED:
The color scheme for the new year is red. For clothes, decorations and cards, this beautiful shade of scarlet is everywhere. The meaning of red color is luck and goes back to an old story where a monster was afraid of noise and the color of blood.
2/ TIME OF RENEWAL:
Chinese New Year is also a time of rene-wal and a springboard to make fresh start. That is why it is also called the Spring Festival. A few days before the new year is the big cleaning day, and Chinese people will only wear new clothes on the first day of the year.
3/ DANCING WITH DRAGONS:
The dance of the dragon is pretty famous. This symbol of prosperity, rain, wind, and emperors, winds its way through the streets to the rhythm of pounding drums and crashing cymbals. The dragon is also believed to bring good luck to people.
4/ WORSHIP:
Every Thai-Chinese family has an altar in their home. One day before the Chinese New Year, offerings are prepared early in the morning for the ceremony. All the sacrifices - including scrumptious dishes, desserts, and fruits - are displayed on the altar. After all family members have worshiped their ancestors one by one, they eat the blessed sacrifices in the evening - the most important meal of Chinese New Year.
5/ VISITING FRIENDS AND RELATIVES:
A special way for people to express good wishes to each other, and an important activity during the festival, is to visit friends and relatives - most of the time with a bag of oranges.
In Chiang Mai, don’t miss witnessing Chinese New Year celebrations and traditions at Warorot market, which is also the local China Town. The market has two beautiful Chinese temples. Every shop will be decorated to Chinese Red color and people will visit Chinese temples for prayers. Due to Covid-19, there will be no parade nor Chinese Theatre this year.
