Today is the first day of the Chinese New Year 2016.
It’s the Year of the Monkey, my Zodiac Year of Birth, which is known as 本命年 (Běn mìng nián).
Traditionally a lot of Chinese believe that your zodiac year (12 years as a cycle) will bring danger and misfortune, so you need to wear something red.
To ward off evil spirits, apparently one has to wear red underwear too.
Last Saturday we went to Southampton to enjoy a simple meal. My favourite Chinese restaurant in this area is Panda (20 Bedford Place, Southampton SO15 2DB). The food is always cook to meet the Chinese’s standards.
We ordered half a duck (the so-called crispy duck with pancakes), sweet and sour chicken, chilli squid, and some vegetables.
Crispy duck with pancakes is actually not a Chinese dish. You won’t find ‘crispy duck with pancake’ dish in China or Singapore. Chinese people from China will not know what to do with ‘Fortune Cookies’ either.
This evening, my friend Hazel Bateman braved high wind and rain to give me a special gift, complete with a Chinese New Year card. It’s a very thoughtful gift – a huge box of origami and craft paper. All nicely wrapped up in a colour of fortune too.
What about you?
Do you eat / wear something special this New Year? Do you celebrate Chinese New Year in your own way? Please share your story with us.
Happy New Year everyone!
Related posts:
- Pretty Rocking Horses Chinese New Year 2014
- Amazing Lion Dance in Southampton 2nd February 2014 Chinese New Year
- Southampton Chinese New Year 2015 West Quay
- Meet Chinese Teacher Jenny Han from Dalian China
- Today is the Lantern Festival: Bright Full Moon Tonight
- The Lions Who Came to Tea
- From The Fall Of Singapore To Prosperity
- Meet Hui-Min From Singapore
- Meet Anita Lee From Mandarin Garden
- Meet Friendly Sonny: Speaking Cantonese At The Co-operative
- Fish: Wealth, Abundance, Puns
Never miss out on another blog post. Subscribe here:
Does the colour red scare off monkeys? Not that they would see your underwear. Here red is supposed to enrage bulls. Is there a year of the bull?
The description of crispy duck has whetted my appetite. What a shame I have already had supper.
Don’t forget the New Year lasts 15 days. There’s always time to eat.
Year of Ox / Bull – it is the second animal in the cycle.
After monkey, you have chicken, dog, pig. Then the cycle starts again with rat.
I’m also a monkey. I’m not really into red at the moment so I might have to brave the year of misfortune. I suspect it came a year early though so maybe I’m an overachiever?
CCTV has an interesting article for those born in the Year of the Monkey: Is your Chinese Zodiac sign the monkey? Then heed this advice!
Red is the colour to wear during the Chinese New Year (15 days) for everyone in general. A lot of young people these days wear whatever they want, but black / white are still considered the colours of mourning. If you do visit the elderly, respect them and wear red or pink will make them very happy. If you wear black, the elderly may be upset as it may bring bad luck to them.
The origin and significance of red comes from the legend of the ‘nian’ beast – the beast was defeated by the colour red (red calligraphy scrolls) and sound (from firecracters, and burning bamboo). To celebrate Chinese New Year means to defeat the beast and start a life with luck and prosperity.
We had duck (though not crispy) we bought from the Chinese supermarket. It came with neck and head attached. We didn’t eat these, though they did make it to the table.
To have the duck’s head and neck attached still is quite unusual I think. I bought one whole roasted duck before from China Town – to amuse my mother in law. I bet some people don’ like to have an eye contact with the duck on the table. However I do like buying a whole fish. Its head is rather delicious.