Happy Lunar New Year or for Chinese Kung Hei Fat Choy or Gong Xi Fa Cai and Welcome to the Year of the Wood Dragon
Not only is it Chinese New Year, the Lunar New Year is celebrated by many Asian cultures.
It is a time of wondrous celebration, with origins which go back to a time of myths and legends. There are paper-dragon dances, parades and red clothing to commemorate the legend of Nian, a mythical beast who terrorized villagers once every year. The colour red and the din that is created is meant to drive away any lingering devils or spirits. Now the word Nian, in modern Chinese means “year”.
The New Year is marked by animal, for according to legend, Buddha invited all the creatures in his kingdom to appear before him. The 12 animals which completed the journey – the rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, serpent, horse, goat, monkey, cock, dog and pig – were then honoured with rotating names of the year. The exact date in the Western calendar changes because it is fixed using a Chinese lunar calendar in which each month begins with the new moon. People born in a particular year are believed to share some of the personalities of that particular animal. This year is the Year of the Rabbit.
These animals are also combined with five elements, making a 60 year cycle which ultimately repeats itself. The five Taoist elements are Fire, Water, Earth, Wood and Metal. That is why this year is that of the Wood Dragon, beginning on 10 February and and ends with the Lantern Festival on 24 February.
People born in the Year of the Dragon are said to be ambitious, confident and charismatic. They possess an abundance of energy and enthusiasm while also displaying exceptional intelligence and power. They are naturally lucky and gifted, often accomplishing their endeavours with exceptional standards of excellence. However, they may also exhibit negative characteristics, such as arrogance, bigotry, dominance, irritability, and subjectivity, which may make them reluctant to accept defeat. However, these are generalisations. As with any cultural or astrological tradition, there is, of course, individual variability. So best to interpret the Chinese zodiac traits with a cultural understanding and a nuanced approach. The years of the dragon include: 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 and 2012. Read more a bout The Year of the Dragon here.
It is a time of feasting, with particular foods for different good wishes. Traditionally delicacies include prawns, for liveliness and happiness, dried oysters (ho xi), for all things good, raw fish salad (yu sheng) to bring good luck and prosperity, Fai-hai (Angel Hair), an edible hair-like seaweed to bring prosperity, and meat-filled dumplings boiled in water (Jiaozi). “Jiaozi” in Chinese literally mean “sleep together and have sons”, a long-lost good wish for a family. This is my version of angel hair – Glass noodle salad – just add some prawns to it for extra luck!
No New Year Eve’s meal would be complete without fish. The Chinese character for “abundance” sounds the same as “fish”. There is also a vegetarian dish with a special seaweed called fatchoi, which sounds the same as the word meaning prosperity. Try my Betel leaves topped with spicy fish.
Here is a link to my Char Siew pork , Steamed Pork Dim Sims
and also Asian-style Roast Pork Salad
Depending on the weather, you may also like to celebrate the New Year with my Roasted Duck in Red Curry.
Whatever the food, the quantity prepared at this time is to symbolise abundance and wealth for the household!
For tips on how to celebrate this Lunar New Year, click here
