Got a lot of Angpao, it turns out this is the meaning of Lunar New Year!

Got a lot of Angpao, it turns out this is the meaning of Lunar New Year! -  Hari Raya Imlek is an important celebration for the Chinese community all over the world. This festival is not only a gathering place for families but also filled with various unique traditions that have deep meaning. From special decorations, traditional food, to various taboos, all elements in Hari Raya Imlek are loaded with philosophy and good wishes for the coming year. This article will discuss the unique culture during Hari Raya Imlek in detail so that you can better understand the special features of this festival.

1. History and Meaning of Hari Raya Imlek

Hari Raya Imlek, or Chinese New Year, has a long and meaningful history. This festival originates from the legend of Nian, a mythical creature that is believed to come every year to terrorize the villagers. To drive away Nian, the community uses the color red, lights fireworks, and makes noise. This tradition then developed into a part of the Lunar New Year celebration until now.

Lunar New Year holidays are also based on the lunar calendar, which is different from the Christian calendar. Each year in the Chinese calendar is represented by one of the 12 animals in the shio, such as a rat, dragon, or monkey. This shio is believed to bring influence on a person's life for a whole year.

2. Special Lunar New Year Decorations

Decoration plays an important role in the Lunar New Year atmosphere. The color red dominates almost every aspect of decoration because it is believed to bring good luck and repel negative energy. Here are some special Lunar New Year decorations:

a. Red Lantern

Red lanterns are usually hung in front of houses, shops, and public places as a symbol of luck and happiness. This lantern also reflects the spirit of optimism in welcoming the new year. So you already understand the meaning of the red lanterns that are installed in large numbers during the Imlek holiday.

b. Dui Lian (Lucky Prayer Calligraphy)

Dui Lian is a scroll of red paper with Chinese calligraphy depicting good wishes. Usually pasted on both sides of the house door with words like "abundance of sustenance" or "health and happiness." Therefore, there are many things that are believed that as long as they are positive, they can bring many blessings during the Lunar New Year.

c. Hanging Angpao

In addition to being given to children, angpao is also often used to decorate a lucky tree. This tree is believed to bring prosperity to its owner.

d. Ancestor Offering Table

In Chinese culture during the Lunar New Year, honoring ancestors is an important part of the Lunar New Year. Therefore, many families prepare an offering table filled with food, tea, and incense as a tribute to their ancestors.

3. Unique Traditions During Hari Raya Imlek

Hari Raya Imlek has many unique traditions that are done to bring good luck and avoid bad luck. Some of them are:

a. Family Dinner (Reunion Dinner)

Having dinner with the family is one of the most important traditions in the Lunar New Year celebration. Usually, family members who travel will return to their hometown to gather. The food served also has symbolic meaning, such as fish (a symbol of abundance), dumplings (a symbol of sustenance), and longevity noodles.

b. Angpao distribution

Angpao is a red envelope containing money given by parents or those who are married to children and unmarried people, this is usually expected for those of you who are still unmarried, try admitting?. Angpao symbolizes the hope that the recipient will get luck and happiness throughout the year.

c. Liong and Liong

The barongsai and liong (dragon) show is the most awaited part of the Lunar New Year celebration. This dance is not only for entertainment but is also believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. Usually this will be displayed at malls or places of worship or certain places.

d. Fireworks and Firecrackers

Burning fireworks and firecrackers is a mandatory tradition during Hari Raya Lunar New Year. The sound of firecrackers is believed to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck in the new year.

4. Special Chinese New Year Foods and Their Meanings

The food in the Lunar New Year celebration has a deep philosophy. Each dish is not only delicious but also contains prayers and hopes for the coming year. Here are some special Lunar New Year foods and their meanings:

a. Fish (Nian Nian You Yu)

Fish became the main dish because the word "fish" in Mandarin (鱼, yú) sounds like "abundance." Therefore, eating fish during Lunar New Year symbolizes the hope that sustenance will be abundant.

b. Basket Cake (Nian Gao)

Basket cookies or Nian Gao symbolize increased sustenance and prosperity from year to year. This cake has a sticky texture that also symbolizes family harmony.

c. Jiaozi (Dumplings)

Dumplings have a shape resembling gold coins of old, so they are considered a symbol of prosperity. Chinese people believe that eating dumplings during Lunar New Year can bring wealth in the new year.

d. Longevity Noodles

Longevity noodles are longer than usual and cannot be cut when eaten. This symbolizes longevity and health.

5. Taboos to be avoided during Lunar New Year

In addition to performing various positive traditions, there are also some taboos that must be avoided during Hari Raya Imlek in order not to bring bad luck. Some of them are:

a. Cannot sweep the house

Sweeping the house on the first day of Imlek is believed to remove new luck. Therefore, many families clean the house before the celebration begins.

b. Cannot Use Negative Words

During Hari Raya Imlek, negative words such as "dead," "bankrupt," or "shit" should be avoided because they are considered to bring bad energy throughout the year.

c. Cannot Break Items

If there are broken items such as plates or glass, it is considered a bad sign. However, if this happens, people usually say the words "sui sui ping an" which means "year-round safety" to neutralize bad luck.

d. Can't Borrow or Lend Money

Lunar New Year is a time for rejoicing, not for debt. Borrowing or lending money on the first day of Imlek is believed to make someone continue to experience financial difficulties throughout the year.

Hari Raya Imlek is not just an ordinary festival, but full of unique traditions and cultures that are full of meaning. From special decorations, family dinner traditions, the giving of angpao, to taboos to be avoided, all aspects of this festival are meant to bring good luck and happiness. 

By understanding the unique culture of Hari Raya Imlek, we can not only respect this tradition, but also feel the warmth and togetherness that is the core of this celebration. Hopefully this article can add to your insight about Hari Raya Imlek and how to celebrate it with full meaning! and honestly, which of you can get the most angpao?

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