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The 15 days of Chinese New Year!
Chinese New Year officially lasts 15 days though most modern Chinese celebrate only the first few
days actively and the last day, Chap Goh Meh (15th Night). Let's see the list of Do's and
Don'ts to ensure the new lunar year will be another happy and prosperous one!
Day One
Of course you must wear red as it is the most auspicious colour to usher in the New Year. If you're
averse to being clad entirely in red, make sure there are prominent splashes of vermilion.
Single men who wish to tie the nuptial knot and married men hoping for children, should wear red
underwear on the first day of Chinese New Year.
Your attitude on this day sets the tone for the rest of the year, so make sure you get yourself
into a good mood, have a kind word for everyone and be all-forgiving.
To lose your temper, utter foul language (which shouldn't be used any time of the year!) or hit
someone brings bad luck for the rest of the year! God forbid you should discuss death, loss of
property or serious illness! The first food you eat must be sweet, flavourful and tasty so you
get a delicious new year! Some eat only vegetarian food on this day to purify the mind.
Day Two
Visit your in-laws with a present for your father-in-law to preserve luck. Pat every dog you
meet as this is the birthday of the dog in the Chinese zodiac.
According to the legend, dogs used to live up to 80 years while humans had a short lifespan of
only 18 years. The dogs agreed to swop their lifespan with humans in exchange for being looked
after. To this day, no animal is naturally closer and friendlier to people than dogs. This
kinship is proven by the fact that the dog is man's best friend!
Day Three
Go to bed early tonight as the Rat (the first animal in the Chinese zodiac) celebrate its marriage
today. Retiring early signifies respect. Don't eat pork on this day.
Day Four
Stay home to welcome the return of the Kitchen God from Heaven. He has reported your family's
going-on to the Jade Emperor so pray for his generosity next year. Don't eat sheep, lamb or goat
today.
God of Wealth
Day Five
The head of the house should stay home to welcome the God of Wealth. If you have a Wealth Vase,
make sure it's clean and shinny. It's best to stay home with family or go on family outings.
Day Six
Time to go visiting again! It's very auspicious to visit friends and relatives from the sixth to
10th day. Bring kum or golden mandarin oranges to give to loved ones. Never recycle
mandarin oranges given to you. Give oranges you bought. You shouldn't give away oranges which
were given to you as you would be giving away all the good wishes and luck meant for you.
Yee Sang
Day Seven
Invite love ones to dinner. Serve long noodle mixed with seven types of vegetable to denote
longevity. A great day for yee sang or raw fish salad. Everyone at the table should
stand and toss the salad together.
Day Eight
If Hokkien, have another reunion dinner and at midnight, pray to "Ti Kong" or God of Heaven. A
sunny day means a profitable year and a rainy day means care must be taken to avoid losses.
Day Nine
Make an offering to the Jade Emperor as today is his birthday. Go to a temple and pray to him to
grant your wishes. The Jade Emperor's wife is the Lady of the Nine Heavens who first introduced
feng sui to humans, and she will favour those who honour her.
The day of the Jade Emperor's birthday also holds another special meaning for Hokkiens.
It marks the day Hokkiens from Fujian Province was saved from death centuries ago.
Legend has it that during the Sung Dynasty, a cruel General Tang Lu Lang persecuted Hokkien villagers
who took refuge from his attacks in sugar plantation on Chinese New Year's Day.
Emerging nine days on the day of the Jade Emperor's birthday unscathed, they believed that the
deity had protected them from harm.
Since then, Hokkien celebrate "Ti Kong" as their "real" new year and sugar canes were used to
commemorate the event.
Day 10 to 13
Telephone friends and relatives whom you seldom see and convey your New Year greetings. Reaffirm
family bonds with siblings and children. Don't use utensils made of ceramic or stone to avoid
discord.
Day 14
Clean the home as preparation for the 15th day of celebration. Ensure a supply of golden mandarin
oranges. A good day to hang "Double Happiness" symbols for romance or conjugal happiness. Wear
rose quartz rings or jewellry for love.
Day 15 or Chap Goh Meh
The last day of Chinese New Year and the birthday of the God of Heaven. Single women throw oranges
into the sea or river while eligible suitors wait below to catch or pick up the oranges. Tradition
says the man who picks up the orange will marry the damsel who threw it.
Lighting lanterns to generate yang energy and prayers at temples will ensure a prosperous
New Year.
Believe it or not...here's wishing you a Happy and Prosperous Chinese New Year!