The new year is an exciting time for reinvention, creating and accomplishing new goals, and a time where we can see motivations are at its peak. For the past couple of years, the pandemic has made a grave impact on every single occasion celebrated by almost every single culture in the world, including the Chinese New Year. We have adapted to its whims and instilled new values to protect ourselves against the spread of Covid-19. Throughout the years, certain Chinese New Year traditions have also evolved and followed the passage of time. So, with the pandemic happening, it is not that much of a hassle for one to follow suit as we as humans have always been experts in adjusting to new situations. This year is to be the year of the water tiger. Chinese people consider the tiger to be the king of the beasts, and the zodiacal sign of the tiger encapsulates strength, exorcising evils, and showing courage. With everything that is happening in the world, the water tiger seems to be the animal that we need to emulate for the upcoming year.
Chinese New Year means a time of gathering. Bringing families from great distances together to celebrate the auspicious time together in the spirit of unity. A tradition that continues on for a lot of Chinese families is to make dumplings together, serving the purpose of sharing food and bonding. However, with Covid-19, having large gatherings is something that is still unforeseen to be happening in the near future. Especially with the new Omicron variant that still begs a lot of questions of its infection rate and deadliness, celebrating Chinese New Year takes a different turn. Thankfully, the internet and strong connectivity are wondrous technological advancements that can help alleviate feelings of loneliness during the holidays. Going on Zoom calls with your loved ones to dine together, sending out videos and pictures to keep updated with one another, and so much more. While this is not in the Chinese New Year rule book, please remember to thank those who mean the world to you. This is a good time to recognize those with whom you are close.
As Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in the Lunar calendar, all work matters or businesses come to a halt and home life and families are prioritized. To prepare for the arrival of the holiday, houses are thoroughly cleaned in order to get rid of “huiqi”, or inauspicious breaths (spirits) that may have accumulated throughout the previous year. Cleaning is also seen as an act to appease the Gods that descend from heaven to make inspections and allow fortune to meander your way. By now, a lot of families celebrating would have already been washing table cloths and some other things, and started throwing away junk two weeks ago to prepare for the festival. By the time you read this blog, the Year of the Tiger will probably already be here. It’s better late than never. A very important ritual is to take out your garbage the day before New Year. Don’t do it on the first day of the year, February 1st. If you do, you may throw away your wealth. Do it on February 2nd or afterwards.
One of the most highly anticipated traditions of all is, of course, the distribution of money in red packets by the elders. The red packets that contain money are called “ya sui qian”, which literally translates to ‘suppressing Sui (the demon) money’. It is wished that the recipients of the red packets will have a safe and peaceful year ahead. However, this form of tradition has evolved. With a lot of payments going cashless due to the pandemic, giving out red packets can also be seen as a thing of the past. Some may still do it by giving out traditional cash money in red packets, but for a lot of people that are highly concerned of the infectious disease, transferring money via QR pay through digital platforms has been shown to be much easier. Not only that, by doing so, family members that are unable to see each other would still be able to keep this tradition alive by doing online transactions.
In Malaysia, Chinese New Year decorations fill the malls, as shoppers stock up on supplies for open houses and purchase red clothes. Despite that, this is one of the best times to be in Malaysia, with its lively open houses, firework displays, and informal parades. Like any other event, family members from out of town and far away will come home for the gathering, though the pandemic may hinder this opportunity for a while. Since Malaysian families love doing open houses for festivities, intimate gatherings seem like a more feasible option for now. Although some have made it work by giving certain time frames for their families and friends of all races and religions to celebrate together with the SOPs still intact. Chinese New Year is basically a time to get together with family and friends, physically, or online, just like any other festival in Malaysia. So, if there is an invitation to an open house during Chinese New Year, or a request to get on a Zoom call, take the opportunity to go and celebrate the prosperous holiday with your loved ones. The Ata Plus team would like to wish everyone celebrating the new year a roaring year ahead! Gong Xi Fa Cai!
