Gung Hay Fat Choy!
Friday, Jan. 31 marks the beginning of Chinese Lunar New Year, traditionally a 15-day Asian-themed "spring festival" with family and friends - and an awesome opportunity for all of us to make a fresh start in the name of wellness, health, happiness and prosperity.
2014 is the Year of the Horse, referring to one of the 12 Chinese zodiac symbols, and is said to be a time of luck, power and strength. However, horses can also be temperamental, so a little care and attention is in order as we mount celebrations, prepare ourselves and ready our homes.
Here are some traditional ways to mark Chinese New Year in the name of wellness and prosperity. Say goodbye to the former Year of the Snake while making way for the unbridled happiness and good fortune of the Horse. Stay open emotionally and symbolically to clear old karma and start afresh.
Chop, chop: A new haircut before Chinese New Year is said to cut out any bad juju from the previous year, while washing your hair on the first day of Chinese New Year is frowned upon as you can wash away forthcoming good luck. So if you haven't already tamed your mane, hold back any major cuts until after mid-February, if you can.
Share healthful, lucky foods: Local fish (the Chinese word for fish is similar to "plentiful") and even caviar are said to bring good fortune, while noodles (the longer the better) are eaten for longevity. Delicious Chinese dumplings, in shapes that resemble little purses, symbolize wealth and prosperity.
At home: Placing small oranges in every room is considered to be very lucky, as the shape and colour of the citrus resemble gold coins. Cleaning your house before Chinese New Year and getting rid of any clutter, provides room to receive incoming prosperity (just avoid sweeping on New Year's Day, so you don't brush away any pending good spirits). Bring flowers and lucky plants, such as bamboo, into your home and garden to encourage and delight in more beautiful surroundings. Decorate with the lucky colours red and gold.
Share the joy: A fun tradition is to pick up some red envelopes and place a small amount of money as a symbol of generosity to the children in your life. Or, sweeten up your prospects by offering fresh exotic fruit such as pomelos, pomegranate and coconut.
Get gussied up: Wear new and well-tailored clothes throughout the Chinese New Year time period. When you look good, you feel good and you'll set the tone to make the best impression on your circle of family, friends and associates. Random side note: wearing red underwear is said to bring good luck.
Make amends: If 2013's Snake was a sneak or a troublemaker, try to let go of any grudges from the old year, while mending damaged relationships. Emotionally, you'll make room for a fresh start and new friends. It's never easy to let go, but moving forward, rather than striking out is much more in keeping with the rising spirit of the Horse.
