Why is the lion dance so famous during Chinese New Year?
As with all New Year celebrations, Chinese New Year is all about celebrating the end of a year and the start of a better one (hopefully). The Chinese community in Malaysia have a few symbols related to the festival, most of them associated with prosperity and good fortune.
Whether you believe in these symbols or not, we say: No harm trying! Here, a look at what makes Chinese New Year in Malaysia auspicious.
Tangerines and Oranges
Everyone knows this – tangerines and oranges are perhaps one of the most important symbols for Chinese New Year. In fact, a month before the festival, supermarkets in Malaysia will be inundated with crates and crates of these fruits. The two fruits are symbolic of good luck and wealth, as the Chinese word for each have the same sound as “luck” and “wealth.” Giving them to families and friends is a way of wishing them good fortune in their lives for the coming New Year.
Lucky Character ‘Fuk’
You will probably see this being displayed at many Chinese homes and shops during the celebration. The Chinese word ‘fuk’ means ‘fortune’. It is usually written in Chinese calligraphy style on a diamond-shaped piece of red paper to hang up in your residence during the celebration. By doing so, you are inviting fortune to your house!
Animals from the Chinese Zodiac
Synonymous with the Lunar Calendar, the 12 zodiac animals are important during Chinese New Year. Our luck will fare based on the animal heralded for the New Year, and the corresponding animal (based on date of birth) to that animal. 2012 is the Year of the Dragon. To find out how you will fare during this year, check out our Chinese Zodiac guide for 2012, found on Yahoo! Entertainment's Lunar New Year page here.
Paintings of Fish
You probably know by now that fish – especially the gold fish – is an important Chinese symbol when it comes to good luck. Many Chinese New Year paintings are drawings of this creature, which means wealth when translated from Chinese. Hanging up a painting of this during Chinese New Year means your family will be blessed with a surplus of wealth and luck for the entire year.
The colour Red
Which Chinese does not love this bold colour!? After all, it symbolises good fortune so clothing yourself in a piece of red article means you are clothing yourself in good fortune!
Firecrackers
That loud continuous pop that is everywhere during Chinese New Year, especially on the first and second day of the celebration? Firecrackers! A common tradition during the festival, the popular belief behind this ritual is that the exploding noise will scare away all evil spirits and misfortunes so that they do not come to your house during Chinese New Year. To symbolise this, firecrackers are usually let off at the front of the house. One more thing – don’t sweep away the remnants of the firecrackers when all is done; the Chinese believe that you will be sweeping away good luck for the year!
Flowers
Flowers like the plum blossom, water narcissus and peonies are symbols of good luck and fortune. If the flowers blossom on the first day of Chinese New Year, then it is believed that you will have good fortune for the rest of the year. So start taking care of that flowering plant!
Lion Dance
This festive dance originated in China and is regarded as a dance for good luck and blessings. It is usually performed before letting off the red firecrackers, which will then fill your home and life with plenty of luck. Loud music is also played during the dance to further scare off evil spirits.
