Chinese New Year
In Hong Kong, it is evident that the Chinese New Year is approaching. This is considered to be the most important holiday in China and Hong Kong. In mainland China, most students will get a month off of school to spend time with their families and celebrate this holiday. In HK, students get anywhere from a week to a month off depending on what program they are in. Some of our friends have gone home, and some are staying here. I have really enjoyed talking to them about the Chinese New Year, and seeing with my own eyes what this valuable holiday is and what it means to them.
The following are a few common decorations I have seen thus far in HK in celebration of the holiday, and what they mean.
Red lanterns:: The Chinese New Year is a 15 day long celebration. The final day of the celebration is called the “Lantern Festival.” Red is considered to be a very lucky color here and also symbolizes joy. The lanterns are believed to bring calmness and happiness. There are many meanings behind the Lantern Festival, but one thing that it does is celebrate and cultivate positive relationship between people, families, nature and the higher beings they believed were responsible for bringing/returning the light each year.
Plumb blossoms and other plants and flowers:: These plum blossom trees are EVERYWHERE. It seems to me that these seem to be the centerpiece of Chinese NY decorations (at least in public places). According to wiki, they symbolize good luck. Other sources say that flowers symbolize wealth and high positions in one’s career. Blooming plants in general symbolize new birth and growth. Many times, surrounding these plumb blossom trees, you will see many little tangerine plants (Zach actually likes to joke about stealing a few as a snack…we don’t think that would go over too well here though).
There are many, many other decorations and customs that come along with Chinese New Year, but I will just leave you with this info for now.
This is a picture of my friend Jenny and I in front of one of the mall decorations. We met for coffee this past week. She is precious. I met her at the church I go to in HK. She is from the city, around my age, and currently looking for a job. I am having so much fun getting to know her, and thankful to have her as a friend.
