I have not much to do and I am just resting a while on my computer chair waiting to cook.. Before I go on further I like to give thanks to the Lord as my right palm is healing and it will be healed in no time. There isn't much pain now and the good news is I am able to cook for today's meal. Let me just tell you a little bit of what is the Lanthern Festival all about although today is only the 12th day of Chinese New Year and it is three days away.
The Lantern Festival which is a special occasion is celebrated on the 15th day of Chinese New Year or known as "Chap Goh Meh" by the hokkeins. Other than that it is also known as "Little New Year" as it is the final day of the Chinese New Year festivals that lasted fifteen days.
The 15th day is the first night to see a full moon throughout the Chinese Calendar and so it is known as "Yuan Xiao" festival in China. Regarding to the Chinese tradition, at the very beginning of a new year, when there is a full and bright moon hanging in the sky, there should be thousands of colorful lanterns hanging high above as an appreciation of the people. It is also for the sake of to give and to return the light each year.
There are a few legends behind this Lanthern festivals but I am not sure which is the exact one so I did not write anything about the legend. Long long time ago, it was believed that this was one of the rare nights where there are no strict curfew on this night. Youngsters were seen in the streets in hopes of finding love. Matchmakers acted busily in hopes of pairing couples. The brightest lanterns were symbolic of good luck and hope.
This Lanthern Festival event is celebrated by the Buddhist and it is known to be a holiday for them as the children of the family will go out on the street at night carrying beautiful bright lantherns. Many years back, these lantherns were simple except for the emperor and his noblemen and made but nowadays the lantherns has many nice designs and are also made in shapes of animals.
Traditionally, the date once served as a day for love and matchmaking. It was one of the few nights without a strict curfew. Young people were chaperoned in the streets in hopes of finding love. Matchmakers acted busily in hopes of pairing couples. Often, those with brightest lanterns were deemed good luck and hope. Nowadays in modern days, this festival has no such implications.
Those who are not carrying the lanterns will enjoy watching the lantern parades. The streets will look very bright on this night.
Other than that some people will drink a type of chinese dessert soup, "thong Yuen" or glutinous balls a type of sweet rice dumpling soup. activities at this and guessing lantern riddles, symbolize messages of love, family reunion, good luck.
Other than the Lanthern festival on this day, the Chinese will also celebrate by having a grand "Chap Goh Meh" reunion meal among the family members. It is said the the Buddhist and Taiosm will have prayers with offerings too. Long long time ago, it is believed that single girls that throw mandarin oranges in the sea will bing them a good husband.
I do not really know about what other events or how some other Chinese will celebrate this coming "Chap Goh Meh". For me it will be like other ordinary days except that I will be flying back to the East on this day. I do hope all the Chinese who will be celebrating this coming day will have lots of fun and enjoy themselves and may prosperity and health be upon them.
2 comments :
It should be a very romantic night for Chinese!
I am a chinese and yet I know naught abt the chinese culture and custom. :( . Haha, thanks for your info on Chap Goh Meh.
Post a Comment