Happy Chinese/Lunar New Year

Chinese New Year is a VERY big celebration in Singapore!  Coming from Chicago, I was used to seeing the pictures of the parade in Chinatown every year, but it never really affected my life.  In Singapore, I realized that it's like American Thanksgiving and Christmas rolled into one holiday!  When you walked into a mall, there were pop-up shops in the center, selling sheets, towels, rugs, etc., because people needed new linens to bring into the New Year.  In every store, there were CNY specials, which worked well for us, as our TV was CNY specially priced.

On New Year's Eve, families have a reunion dinner.  Some families have the dinner at home, and some have them at restaurants.  Some restaurants are completely booked, while others close, so that the workers can spend time with their families.  Rich's boss took us to dinner the day before New Year's Eve.  His secretary initially made a reservation at a Chinese restaurant.  The only seating time was 6 PM.  That meant that we would have to be finished by 8 PM, as there would be another party at that time.  He opted for a very nice Italian restaurant 8 minutes walk from our apartment instead.  They served an appetizer of parmesan cheese, prosciutto, marinated sun dried tomatoes, and strawberry salad with balsamic dressing for the table to share.  Rich had salmon, Kathi had tuna, and I had chestnut tortellini.  It was delicious!

Both Michelle and Kathi would host reunion dinners on New Year's Eve.  Kathi's would have 15 family members at a restaurant.  Michelle would have at least 15 at her home.  There were certain dishes they needed to have because they were a family tradition.  Other dishes needed to be served because they were supposed to bring luck.  Michelle's dad insisted on serving shark fin soup for luck.  Michelle's brother feels that it's not environmentally sound to have that soup.  It's kind of like serving turkey or tofurkey for Thanksgiving.

Certain flowers bring luck.  Many building entrances were graced with small orange trees.  The orange, or gold, color of the fruit would bring prosperity.  Cherry blossoms, pussy willows, and red, pink, orange, and yellow flowers would bring luck.  Michelle warned me not to wear black or silver if we were invited to Rich's boss's home.  Black and silver are the color of mourning.  I should wear red, pink, orange, and gold.

I decorated our door for Chinese New Year.  Through New Year's Eve, the saying should be upside down.  That would help to spill out all of the bad luck from last year.  On New Year's Day, you should turn it right side up, to catch all the good luck that you can.  You should also abstain from cleaning or sweeping on New Year's Day, as you might clean or sweep out the good luck.

People also give gifts at the time of Chinese New Year.  It is tradition to bring 2 New Year's oranges to people's homes.  The "golden color" symbolizes prosperity.  Michelle says you shouldn't eat those oranges, because you don't know how many times they've been passed around for "tradition".  People also give "red envelopes".  Michelle advised Rich to give an envelope to each of his single employees.  It would be a good omen for the new Managing Director to bring prosperity to the firm.  The envelope should contain a sum ending in 8, as 8 is a "lucky number".

The lion, decorated for CNY, in front of our hotel. 

KFC's Chinese New Year's Ad on the side of a bus stop.

Rich, with the snake lanterns, on the way into Chinatown.

Our apartment door, with the sign trying to "catch prosperity".

This was very enlightening for me to learn.  Hope you find it so, too.  Best wishes for a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous New Year!  Enjoy the Year of the Snake.