The Golden Ram Waiting in the Wings

The Year of the Horse will soon be trotting out and everyone is anticipating the advent of the Year of the Golden Ram.  Thus effigies of the Golden Ram can be seen in shopping malls together with red decorations, as red is the auspicious color that heralds prosperity.

 

 Come the Chinese Lunar New Year’s Eve all roads lead home, to wherever one’s family home is, for the great reunion dinner.  I have flown across the South China Sea to return for this reunion dinner.  In Chinese culture, this is paramount, coming home to pay respects to one’s elders and to re-bond over a special dinner which consists of special delicacies which have symbolic meanings.  For example, fish signifies prosperity, prawns, laughter , so eating these will hopefully usher in a year of prosperity and laughter.  Oysters, abalone, waxed duck, chicken, etc., etc.  can be found on the table.   

All sons bring their families back to their parents’ homes to share this reunion dinner and it is the norm for the younger people to play card games ( gamble ) throughout the night or until the early hours of the morning to ensure that their parents will live to a ripe old age. Fire crackers used to be burnt at the stroke of midnight to usher in the New Year but because of too many untoward incidents, the Government has banned the firing of crackers. 

On the New Year’s Day, the elders will distribute “ang pows” ( red envelopes containing gifts of money ) to the children and unmarried adults.  The young ones will wish their elders good health, longevity and prosperity before they receive their ang pows. Every year the ang pow envelope designs are prettier and more attractive, either red or gold.  

 Everyone will be dressed in new outfits, to signify a new beginning and the color will be red, different shades of red.  Red flowers will be dominant as evidenced by the floral displays in the stalls.  

 Homes have red lanterns, either round or in the shape of a pineapple which signifies luck.  Red paper cuttings, auspicious calligraphy and decorations contribute to the overall festive mood. 

This celebration lasts for 15 days and the final day is celebrated with the throwing of Mandarin oranges into the sea/lake/river.  Ladies write their names/telephone numbers on the oranges before throwing them away in the hope that young men will fish them out and from there, a friendship will materialize and eventually lead to the altar.

 

 Many traditions and customs are linked to this celebration, not least the traditional lion dances with their loud cymbals and drum beats. Nowadays the lions leap from pole to pole and this is quite an acrobatic feat requiring great co-ordination between the two people, one holding the head and the other acting as the body and hind legs of the lion. At the end of the dance, the lion eats the oranges or pomelo and the red ang pow. The affluent invite the lion dance troupe to perform in their homes and the lion actually goes into the house to drive out negativity and to “clean” the house. 

 

 

 Everyone hopes that the Ram or Goat Year will bring in better prospects and prosperity for all.  To many it will be a relief to see the last of the Horse which brought so many calamities.  

Gong Xi Fa Cai to every member of the Chinese community who celebrates this Spring Festival.  May the Year of the Golden Ram bless us and bring us good health and prosperity.