In China, the first day of the New Year does not fall on the same day every year as it does on the Roman calendar. It holds its own horoscope by the years consisting of 12 animals signs for a 12-year cycle, beginning from the year of the Rat, followed by the Ox, then the Tiger, the Rabbit, the Dragon, and the list just goes on until it reaches the Pig, before it cycles back around to the Rat once again.
The Chinese New Year holiday is an important celebration. Chinese people from all over the world celebrate the festive occasion by visiting each other and congratulating each other. They wish each other good luck and good fortune, happiness and long life.
There are also similar celebrations in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam as well, they are known as the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival.
But just how did this celebratory holiday begin? What is its legend?
There are many different versions of the legend of the Chinese New year. I’m going to share with you one that I have heard of when I was a little girl:
Many thousands of years ago, there was a small village in China. Its villagers were being terrorized by a monster. This monster came to this small village once every year to eat its villagers. Whenever this monster would show up, many villagers would be missing the following day.
Soon, on the night the monster was supposed to arrive, all the villagers got together to conjure up a plan to destroy this monster. They wanted to, at the very least, frighten the evil monster away. The villagers decorated the front of their houses with bright red banners and burned firecrackers in an effort to scare off the monster.
Some played the drums loudly, taking it upon themselves to dress up as lions and perform a lion dance. Believe it or not, by doing this they had actually scared the monster away!
The monster never came back to attack the village and its inhabitants during that night. The following morning, all the villagers were still alive. They were so relieved that they congratulated each other for being lucky and alive!
The following year when the time the monster was supposed to arrive, the villagers repeated the same ceremony. They put red banners in front of their houses, lit the firecrackers, and did the lion dance. The following day they congratulated each other once again for being lucky and alive! Ever since that time, the Chinese had called this day “The New Year Day.”
Thus the legend of the Chinese New Year was created.
Now, every year on the New Year Day of the Chinese calendar, all the Chinese people of the world are still very happy. They visit each other and exchange good wishes. They serve each other fortune cakes and cookies, also fruits and vegetables which the names resemble good luck. Small children get lucky money in little red envelopes from adults as a good omen for them to grow up to be adults without any obstacles and dangers.
Among the many snacks that are being offered (each bearing a meaning) are fish which is believed to bring long life and good fortune, prosperity is also linked to this food because the sound of the name “fish” is the same sound as “having things leftover”, that is, including money. Eating melon seeds will bring new babies to the family, and the red dates are another way to earn prosperity and good fortunes.
Many people also wear new clothes and new shoes. Many wear them in red to symbolize happiness, and also as a means to fight off the evil spirits.
One must be very careful not to break any dishes, or eat from bowls or plates that are chipped as it is considered bad luck.
The fire-crackers are still being lit nowadays, and the Lion Dance and the sound of the drums are still being performed, but these gestures are only as a symbol of celebration of the New Year.
End of story.
Copyright (c) Sandie May Joyce
All Rights Reserved
Loved the history lesson, Sandie. I did hear about the year of the rat, pig, dragon, etc. You explain it very well by leading with questions and then answering by legends and tradition. I think the monster that comes by once a year has been replaced by the IRS in the USA. What tradition do you celebrate in Toronto?
I don't know how I missed this one, but I am glad I found it now, great story Sandie, and you are such a talented artist as well as a story teller!!!
In Christs Love
Michelle!
Interesting, I hate to think of what the pig would mean as a metaphor. Perhaps were in for a wet muddy year or just a stinky one, or as they say back in farm country " a real porker"... :)
Thank you for sharing this most informative write, Sandie. Best wishes to you with love and peace,
Regis
Reviewed by Flying Fox Ted L Glines
1/6/2007
Sandi, this is a really neat story.
Would it be possible for me to use this story on the "Holidays" page of my little Website? So far, I only have the Roman New Year history, and this would be a wonderful addition.
what a legend and what a write my friend, I am so glad that you posted this write. I am currently teaching on diverse cultures and holidays to my students, we touched on Chinese New year last week, what a great write of information that will help me explain this holiday to my students....Your illustration is beautiful Sandie...I am amazed at your artwork the details are outstanding...you should do a series of art prints...
Blessings,
Joyce Bowling
Reviewed by Victor Buhagiar
1/5/2007
What a legend. This world is filled with them. Happy year of the Pig even if it sounds funny to us. Victor
"Kung Hey Fat Choy" to you Sandie! I love stories that share cultural history or tale...The year of the Pig? This will be a happy year!(Mud and all!) :)
Love and Peace~
Kimmy~
very enjoyable and instructive read thanks a million for sharing it funny too about the melon seeds, etc. You take care and have many friends to keep you busy!
Yankee Doodle Daddy is a historical Appalachian Family Saga. The story follows a mother's reckoning as she struggles to survive and keep her four daughters alive.
