*It's just something I've came across and would like to share about Chinese New Year (CNY) celebration.*
CNY is the time for family reunions, the lion dance, firecrackers, mahjong, mandarin oranges *which those who don't celebrate,would wait for it too* and giving/collecting ang pow. CNY has some of the most fascinating aspects of Chinese tradition and rituals. Its origin can be traced back thousands of years, to the legend which tells of a fearsome mythological creature known as 'Nian' that is said to have once terrorised China, devouring people on the eve of CNY. To ward off the beast, red-carpet couplets were pasted on doors, firecrackers were set throughout the night and huge fires were lit.
Today, the prevalence of the colour red and firecrackers, form part of the CNY celebrations throughout the world. What is believed to bring good fortune and ward off the evil is the lion which, according to legend, was the only animal that managed to wound the Nian. This gave rise to the lion dance, as the villagers of the story tried to mimic the lion in theirm attempt to frighten the beast away. In Malaysia, troupes of lion dancers travel in trucks during a 15-day period to perform at individual homes and businesses, even hotels and shopping complexes. It is a spectacular sight during this period, where performers regularly shimmy up poles to pick up ang pows, while moving to the beat the drums!
p/s: Happy Holiday to All!
CNY is the time for family reunions, the lion dance, firecrackers, mahjong, mandarin oranges *which those who don't celebrate,would wait for it too* and giving/collecting ang pow. CNY has some of the most fascinating aspects of Chinese tradition and rituals. Its origin can be traced back thousands of years, to the legend which tells of a fearsome mythological creature known as 'Nian' that is said to have once terrorised China, devouring people on the eve of CNY. To ward off the beast, red-carpet couplets were pasted on doors, firecrackers were set throughout the night and huge fires were lit.
Today, the prevalence of the colour red and firecrackers, form part of the CNY celebrations throughout the world. What is believed to bring good fortune and ward off the evil is the lion which, according to legend, was the only animal that managed to wound the Nian. This gave rise to the lion dance, as the villagers of the story tried to mimic the lion in theirm attempt to frighten the beast away. In Malaysia, troupes of lion dancers travel in trucks during a 15-day period to perform at individual homes and businesses, even hotels and shopping complexes. It is a spectacular sight during this period, where performers regularly shimmy up poles to pick up ang pows, while moving to the beat the drums!
p/s: Happy Holiday to All!
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