So its time to say goodbye to the rat...as in the year of the Rat. On January 26th, the New Year begins in China - and so begins the year of the Ox(Cow). Today(Friday) the air was ripe with a palpable sense of excitement, as most of the Chinese natives that I work with are planning on going back to their hometowns and their families. This time of the year is called the Spring festival, and is considered the most important holiday in China - similar to Christmas in America. I will have a chance to observe several traditions up close over the next couple of days as I will be spending some time with my Chinese friends.
There are lanterns everywhere - an ubiquitous symbol of the impending holiday, and Gongxi Facai(Good luck and be prosperous) is heard quite often. Also common are the hongbao(red envelopes)that usually contain money(only even numbered amounts, odd numbered amounts are for funerals) and are given from an older to a younger person. 888 is a typical amount given - as the number eight is particularly lucky.
4 comments:
I'm a Chinese native. It's interesting that a foreign friend is introducing the Spring Festival. Happy new year and gong xi fa cai.
hi adam！just one amazing random click,i found u!
cos u have the similar blog name with me and we are even exerpiencing the same thing!living,studying abroad!!
My hometown is HangZhou,did u hear about that,very close to Shanghai, and when i finish my degree,probably i will choose shanghai as the place where i start my career.
Then i have to say,the world is sooo small!
cannot go back in spring festival for lecture reason.but I could get a tinge of the festive air through your words. so sweet and conversant.have a good holiday and best wishes to you.
Mom - do you remember the red envelopes and giving them out to the first graders?
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