Chinese New Year marks the start of a brand new year, and is regarded by all Chinese families as the most important festival to be celebrated. Preparations for this annual celebration begins as long as 30 days before the start of the lunar new year, which is filled with many rituals and important actions to prepare one's home for the coming new years and also to welcome in fresh new chi and good luck. Here are some of the important things that we need to do to prepare for the celebration.
Spring Cleaning and Repairs to the Home
Every nook and cranny including the behind of cupboards, refrigerators, and tops of cabinets should be swept and cleaned to remove dust and stale energy from the past year. This is also a good time to toss out old magazines, newspapers, unnecessary plastic containers, plastic bags and other items that you would never use again. While you are cleaning out the old trash, keep an eye out for any part of your home that needs repair or touching up. In fact it is recommended that you repaint your home at least once every three to four years. It is important also that any water leaks, especially leaking faucets and bidets, are repaired, as leaking water means "loss of money" or "unnecessary expenditure".
After you have completed cleaning, repairing and rejuvenating your home, you should also move onto the furniture, sofa sets, tables, chairs and other fixtures in your home. Inspect and clean these as well. Sofa sets that are torn or damaged should be repaired or replaced. Inspect your dining table including the chairs. They should be in a good state, as the dining table represents the rice bowl of the family.
Do not forget your bed, as the condition of your bed will play a big part of how the coming year turns out for you. Sleeping on damaged or broken beds brings obstacles and obstructions in your life. If the bed frame is cracked or damaged, it can indicate a rift in your relationships and bodes badly for husband and wife.
You should also inspect your cutlery, as well as the plates, cups bowls and serving dishes that you use. Replace any that have chips, cracks or that show any sign of damage. Remember that eating using damaged utensils is very bad feng shui. Doing so will hinder your progress up the career ladder and also the wealth of your family.
Inspect the contents of your cupboards and your clothes drawers. Dispose of mismatched socks, torn or thread-worn undergarments, shirts and pants. You should also consider giving away clothes that you have not worn for more than one year. Clearing out your cupboard not only symbolizes removing bad luck, it also creates the kind of luck that allows for new things to come into your life. Do the same thing for your shoe cupboard.
Cleaning Your Home Altar
On the 15th, 19th or 21st of January, you should clean your home altar. Start by asking the Deities for permission to clean, and then remove the images and figurines, and make sure that you place them on a table that is at least waist high. Do not ever place them on the floor. Wipe or brush off any loose debris, then proceed to wipe all the surfaces of your altar clean with water and pomelo leaves (you can also use kaffir lime leaves if you prefer.) Replace any worn out items on your altar, and clean out the incense burner, candle holders and other offering bowls. Once you are done cleaning your altar, make a complete set of new offerings to your home Deities and ensure you have ample supplies of incense, candles and other such supplies.
Once you are done with cleaning and restocking your altar, it is a good idea to perform a simple incense space clearing for your home. You can do this by lighting up incense, then walking around each room in a clockwise direction for three rounds, each time visualizing the incense cleansing and removing any stale or negative energy. You should also visualize a home filled with laughter, happiness and good luck while you are doing this.
Restocking Your Kitchen
The kitchen is the powerhouse of your home; this is where families are brought together through the simple process of eating the fruits of mother's labor. Therefore, ensuring that your kitchen is well stocked with food and supplies is of outmost importance. Start by inspecting the stuff in your refrigerator. Toss out those vegetables, fruits, jams, half open cans and left over food that is unwanted or has expired. You should also clear out your canned food the same way.
Clean out your rice urn and after washing and drying it well, place a red packet with 3 dynasty coins tied with red thread at the base, and fill it to the brim with rice. Remember that you rice urn must be kept at least 3/4 full all through the 15 days of Chinese New Year. Next, you should stock up your fridge in preparation of Chinese New Year as it is most important that you cross over into the new year with lots of things to eat at home.
Eve of Chinese New Year
In the morning, prepare a "tray of togetherness" which is simply a special box filled with an assortment of sweets, biscuits, melon seed, candies and oranges for any guests that drop by during the 15 days of celebration.
The actual dinner itself is a main reason for all members to come together as a sign of togetherness and prosperity. A typical reunion dinner should have a minimum of 8 dishes and comprise of the following ingredients, because of their symbolic meanings.
- Luo Han Zhai (Buddha' Delight) - is a vegetarian dish made with "Fatt Choy", a type of black hair fungus (meaning prosperity), Bamboo shoots (brings wealth), Day-lily Buds "Kan Cham Ku" (means golden needles), "Napa Cabbage" (Pao Choy - guaranteed success) and other assorted vegetables. This dish is to serve notice to the members of the family or purity of mind and togetherness in good karma.
- A Fish dish - usually steamed fish, as fish carries the meaning of Lin Lin Yao Yue - which means your year will be filled with an abundance or excess of luck.
- A Chicken dish - indicates happiness and a happy marriage. Or duck, which means fidelity and good offspring.
- Big Prawns or better still a Lobster (indicates the sea dragon) - this carries the meaning of "ha ha tai siew" which means there will always be big laughter in your home.
- Braised pork with sticky rice - this dish indicates that your family will always be together, and will share their success and good fortune with each other.
- Abalone, Scallops, Clams, Dried Oysters - indicates an bountiful harvest in your business.
- Long Life Noodles - indicates long life for all in the family.
- A Sweet Dessert such as those made with peanuts, or red beans served with a simple dumpling "jiaozi" means that your family will always have good endings to every endeavor.
- Fruits such as pomelo, grapes and oranges are also a must, as these fruits mean prosperity and abundance of wealth and opportunity.
After the reunion dinner, it is customary for all family members to stay up late with all the lights on, and light firecrackers or turn up the music to usher in the New Year at the stroke of midnight with a big bang and plenty of joyous laughter and celebrations.
TABOO- No sweeping of the floor after 10.00 pm on eve of Chinese New Year.
1st day of Chinese New Year
It is best to wake up early today, and after cleaning up, put on your new set of clothes (make sure that you wear something red) to wish your elders a happy Chinese New Year and offer them a cup of sweet tea. This practice ensures that your relationship with your elders will always be on good terms, and that you will only hear good news from their lips for the whole year.
Today is a good day to pray to the God of Happiness and his direction this year is Southeast.
TABOO - You must not get angry, must not cry, and must not sweep the floor.
2nd Day of Chinese New Year
Today is a good day to visit your in-laws and extended family.
4th Day
Today is a good day for parents to pray for education luck for their children.
5th Day
Today is a good day to do good deeds as well as to make prayers in the temple. Also a suitable day to start work (except for those born in the year of the Snake).
7th day - "Everyone's Birthday"
Today is everyone's birthday. A most excellent day to hold open house for lots of friends to visit.
9th Day
Today is a good day to pray to the God of Heaven.
13th Day - Lap Chun Day
Today is Lap Chun day. It is a good day to keep the house well lit, throw a party, and create as much noise and yang chi as you can. It is also a good day to invite the God Of Wealth into your home with a lion dance.
15th Day - Chap Goh Meh
Chap Goh Meh - otherwise known as Chinese Valentine's Day. Suitable day for asking that special person out on a date. Also a good day to renew marriage vows between husband and wife.
