Celebrating New Year the Chinese way

February 19 marks the start of the Spring Festival or commonly known as the Chinese New Year celebration that lasts until March 05. The festival is treated as an official holiday in China which includes seven consecutive days marked within the holiday period thus, making it the longest public holiday in China. It is also widely regarded as the most significant celebration in China.

The year 2015 celebrates the year of the wood goat which occurs every 60 years. Those who were born in the year 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, and 2003 are classified in the year of the goat. The celebration is also characterized by the biggest annual human migration as Chinese from all corners of the earth travel their way back home to take part in the celebration.

The celebration is often highlighted by fireworks display and burning of bamboo sticks to chase off evil spirits that are commonly believed by Chinese people to bring bad luck. It is also a sight to behold the colorful lion and dragon parades on streets. Another part of their tradition is to clean their houses from the 23rd of the 12th lunar month which they coined as “Sweeping the dust.” Chinese people believe that cleaning their houses before the celebration signifies a wish to put away old things and say goodbye to the previous year and welcome the new year.

Chinese Catholics, particularly those who have Filipino blood in them, celebrate their version of the Chinese New Year in a modest manner. People are generally dressed in red, a simple gathering is a sight in every home and a variety of Chinese foods like Tikoy, Siopao, Pancit, Siomai and Hopia are prepared for the guests to munch.

Chinese New year is also an opportunity for Chinese Catholics to celebrate with their relatives and welcome the new year through mini reunions, hopeful that the warm celebration and traditions would invite good luck and happiness for the upcoming year. Kung Hei Fat Choi! (Mark Greco Lazaro)