Chinese New Year

Traditionally, New Year's day is set aside for worshiping ancestors,and for visiting family who live nearby so you can wish them "happy"new year wishes. On this day, all family members sport new clothes,which symbolizes that the old year was shed and all the misfortunesit held are gone.When visiting family, it is also customary to give red envelopes onNew Years day, (lucky money). All married couples are expected togive money to all their unmarried family members and friends. It isalso acceptable for the older generations to give their children andgrandchildren, no matter age or maritial status, money, as well.The giving of red envelopes is believed to bring good luck andprosperity to those who give, and those who receive.We hid are children's "lucky money" under their pillow while theyslept last night, (we told them we were doing this), and it was likean egg hunt in the morning!! Neither child could find the envelope,doubting we really put it there. Both had fallen far under the bed,causing even more excitement as they tried to find it!!INTERESTING TO NOTE: New Year's day is not considered a day forfeasting, but for fasting! No meat should be eaten, and evenvegetables should not be cooked in animal fat, but in vegetable oilinstead. Just as it is symbolic to take a bath on New Year's eve toshed the old and unpure, not eating meat on New Year's day signifiesself-purification and renewal, which ties in with the main theme ofthe entire festival: family reunion and starting the year with aclean slate, a pure life -- not so much unlike our Western New Yearcelebrations.