Happy Lunar New Year
For those who do celebrate the Chinese/Vietnamese New Year, Happy New Year (Chúc Mừng Năm Mới, Kung Hei Fat Choy) I have been cleaning for the past few days so that we will have good fortune and health for the upcoming year! We are not allow to clean or do laundry on the day of or else the whole year will come with misfortunes and hardships. Asians are so superstitious, we try to avoid things so badluck does not find us and we follow it greatly around the Lunar New Year. :D
Over the weekend, we welcome the year of the Dragon with good tradition food and surrounded ourselves with close friends.
Here are some interesting Lunar New Year superstitions I gather online:
Stay positive and do not wish ill on others. We should welcome the Lunar New Year with positive energy.
Many people believe that on New Year's Day washing hair is not allowed because it would have washed away good luck for the New Year. Wearing new clothes represent the new that you want to be bringing into your life. Put on something red for an extra boost! Don't wear white or black clothing, since they are the traditional colours of mourning.
Do not sweep or clean your house on the day of new year, you certainly do not want to sweep away all your wealth and good fortune, an disorganized home means an empty pocket or a loss of promotion.
Avoid breaking things, crying and wailing on the first day of the year, if you don't want to continue the pattern for the entire year.
Pay your bills and loans before New Year, so you don't have any debt left for New Year.
It is considered unlucky to greet anyone in their bedroom so that is why everyone, even the sick, should get dressed and sit in the living room.
Chinese believe it’s bad to start the New Year by swearing, yelling at the kids, or getting angry or upset. Bad mood is taboo. Watching funny movies or interesting programs is a good idea.Everyone should refrain from using foul language and bad or unlucky words. Don't quarrel!
Clean the car! This is what gets you around during the year.
Interesting facts: Buddha called called all animals to come to him before departing earth but only 12 animals came. As a reward he named a lunar new year after each according to the arrival of the animal.
Over the weekend, we welcome the year of the Dragon with good tradition food and surrounded ourselves with close friends.
Stay positive and do not wish ill on others. We should welcome the Lunar New Year with positive energy.
Many people believe that on New Year's Day washing hair is not allowed because it would have washed away good luck for the New Year. Wearing new clothes represent the new that you want to be bringing into your life. Put on something red for an extra boost! Don't wear white or black clothing, since they are the traditional colours of mourning.
Do not sweep or clean your house on the day of new year, you certainly do not want to sweep away all your wealth and good fortune, an disorganized home means an empty pocket or a loss of promotion.
Avoid breaking things, crying and wailing on the first day of the year, if you don't want to continue the pattern for the entire year.
Pay your bills and loans before New Year, so you don't have any debt left for New Year.
It is considered unlucky to greet anyone in their bedroom so that is why everyone, even the sick, should get dressed and sit in the living room.
Chinese believe it’s bad to start the New Year by swearing, yelling at the kids, or getting angry or upset. Bad mood is taboo. Watching funny movies or interesting programs is a good idea.Everyone should refrain from using foul language and bad or unlucky words. Don't quarrel!
Clean the car! This is what gets you around during the year.
Interesting facts: Buddha called called all animals to come to him before departing earth but only 12 animals came. As a reward he named a lunar new year after each according to the arrival of the animal.
Great pictures! Looks like fun.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Pictures.. Looks like you had a fun day! Happy New Year! I like to learn about different cultures! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Yvonne.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year - you guys are super cute! xxx
ReplyDeletehappy new year! looks like such a fun celebration! i honestly didn't know about some of those traditions! i will NOT clean today haha!! and i hardly ever shower with a newborn... so that one is easy! ;)
ReplyDeleteHow awesome is this! Love reading this post, I seriously knew nothing about it till now.
ReplyDeleteThese are some really great pictures!
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful picture of the three of you! love the photos....and a very happy new year! :)
ReplyDeleteKaylee looks so adorable! She doesn't look a bit scared of the Dragon dancing around! Oh and all the food! Looks delicious! I can't wait to eat my Chinese new year dinner tonight!
ReplyDeleteHahahaha I remembered the red clothing so I donned some red underwear LOL! Still counts, in fact someone from China told me that it is more important to actually wear red underwear rather than exterior clothing! I love all these superstitions!
Happy chinese new year to you and your family!
looks like you guys had a blast celebrating! happy chinese new year!
ReplyDeleteyour family is so precious - and your baby girl already so big! p.s. you look gorgeous as always. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful celebration Yvonne! This looks like a fun gathering! I cleaned house yesterday as well, and I am looking forward to a new year...the last few years have been rough for the monkey...
ReplyDeleteKung Hei Fat Choi!!
ReplyDeleteI love the Random Buddah fact! I had to read "This Next New Year" by Janet Wong (it's a children's book) for a literature class but the pictures in it are amazing and it's a great way to teach kids about the Chinese New Year :)
ReplyDeleteHappy new year! Kaylee looks like she's really into the dragons. Cutie patootie!
ReplyDeleteIt sure looks like you had a splendid dragon new year. I love to take in new knowledge and it's cool to know that Vietnamese and Chinese share the same Lunar New Year.
ReplyDeleteKaylee looks absolutely adorable with her rainbow hairband! What a great gathering and feast. I wonder how many days of holidays or how many days do you all celebrate CNY for.
I'm not a superstitious person ans so I broke many of the rules. I was still cleaning up my room past midnight. lol
happy wishes to you and your lovely family Yvonne! your photos, as always are fantastic. totally capture the collaborative spirit this festive time obviously was. and the FOOD! oh my, what a spread!!!! yum times a million.....um, i've got a feeling that Kaylee's tiny finger is pointing back to the food table. it's as if she's saying "whets gwo ova thea momma!" and i agree wholeheartedly ; )
ReplyDeleteyou are gorgeous in green lades - what a good looking family you 3 are! love the bad mood taboo thing, that sounds like perfect harmony and something i'd like to incorporate into our NY too. xo ♥
Happy Year of the Dragon! I'm so envious of how well your indoor photos turn out. I remember reading somewhere that you had a post on how to take pictures but I can't seem to find it :( Would you mind posting a link? Thank you!!
ReplyDelete