Hello P-assangers! Back again with PIDAS’s weekly article. How are you, P-assengers? Hopefully, you guys are happy and healthy. Did you know there are 12 Chinese zodiac animals? Not only zodiac according to astrology but there is a zodiac from China that we know as the shio. In order, the 12 animals are:
- Rat,
- Ox,
- Tiger,
- Rabbit,
- Dragon,
- Snake,
- Horse,
- Goat,
- Monkey,
- Rooster,
- Dog and
- Pig.
Imlek or Chinese New Year is something that the Chinese people wait for every year because it signifies the beginning of the year on the lunar calendar. Usually, on Chinese New Year, people who celebrate it decorate their homes with attributes that mark the Chinese New Year that year, such as red decorations, lanterns, basket cakes, barongsai or lion dance performances, and share of red envelopes or usually called angpao.
This year’s Chinese New Year marks the beginning of the year of the water tiger shio, which falls on February 1, 2022. Based on their character, those born in the year of the Tiger are known for their brave and heroic personalities. They are also very competitive and have high self-confidence. But on the other hand, Tigers are also very sensitive, which can be overkill at times.
In previous years people who were absent would not get red envelopes, but in the last 2 years there is still covid-19, people who are not present can get red envelopes via electricity. Even though income is increasing but many people are sad because it is difficult for them to celebrate Chinese New Year with their loved ones, because covid-19 this month is rising again. Red envelopes are given out from older to younger like a child or a child who does not have an income, from bosses to employees, and from leaders to underlings. It is a special New Year’s bonus.
Not only share red envelopes but during Chinese New Year there is also a gift sharing session for someone we love. But we can’t be careless in giving gifts to our loved ones. Because there are some things that are considered taboo like giving people pears or mirrors as gifts and many other superstitions. The Chinese word for ‘pears’ (梨 lí /lee/) sounds the same as the word for leaving or ‘parting’ (离 lí). Mirrors are believed to attract malicious ghosts, mirrors are also easily broken, and in Chinese tradition, anything that breaks is considered a bad omen.
Washing hair and clothes at the beginning of the year is also a superstition that is believed to “wash away one’s fortune.” In addition to washing, sweeping, and throwing garbage at the beginning of the Chinese New Year, it is also considered to throw away or eliminate the luck that comes in that year.
there are still many people who believe in this superstition, for some Chinese people clean themselves and their homes at the end of the year to welcome the coming of the Chinese New Year.
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