Chinese New Year Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Chinese New Year - Essay Example I hope you would not ask me how this system works because aside from possibly taking me more than 60 minutes of your time, I am sure that the explanation would all put you to sleep. The purpose of my narrative discourse is to illumine your thoughts on the disparity of how we normally celebrate Chinese New Year from what I have observed during my stay in the United States. This year, Chinese New Year was celebrated last January 23 and has been marked as the year of the Water Dragon. We believe that in preparation for the New Year, all family members must participate in the event by observing old traditions and practices. We believe that to bring in good luck, our family must take out all old and dirty things by cleaning every nook and corner of the house and to bring out bad luck during the previous year. We observe placing specific decorations that include posting popular characters or symbols such as Luck, Money, Wealth, Happiness, Prosperity or Health on a diamond-shape red paper a nd paste them on the doors, windows, and money safety boxes. The best thing I enjoy during Chinese New Year is the dishes that are prepared for the celebration. There are also specific meanings for the foods that are prepared. For example, mother cooks meat dumplings for good luck; sweet rice cakes for more wealth every year; fish for plenty; vegetables with long noodles for long life; chicken for wealth; soup means everything better than last year; and shrimp for abundance. We also ensure that specific fruits are on the dining table, also with distinct meanings: tangerines for good fortune; apples for peace; orange for money and wealth. I sometimes think that the Westerners’ preparation for a bowl of fruit cocktail would be better to attract prosperity and good luck. Another custom that we never forget is giving Hong Bao which is a red envelope that contains brand new money. Parents and grandparents give Hong Bao to children and relatives also to signify good luck and prospe rity. In China, there are festivities that include watching dragon dances and paying our respects to our ancestors through offering foods and incense. While in the United States, we still get to pay our respects through observing adherence to these customs and traditions. I actually miss waiting patiently in vigil for the coming of the New Year, especially in locations where it is welcomed through a magnificent display of fireworks. The value of adhering to old traditions could not be ignored as they form an important part of one’s life. The way we celebrate New Year in China could be significantly different from the way New Year celebration is practiced in the United States. The disparity was eminent in distinct practices of warding off bad luck through age old traditions of cleaning, preparing selected foods and fruits, and giving away tokens for good fortune. Despite the differences, I admit that where ever and how ever people celebrate New Year, the important thing we re alize is that it is a time to leave our bad practices and mistakes and learn to move on with steadfast determination to do good in words and actions towards our fellow men. After reminiscing, I realize that I am most fortunate to have the opportunity of celebrating two New Years’ festivities every single year - I must have been and would still be the recipient of double doses of prosperity and go