Lion dance and fortunate money to welcome the Lunar New Year Annette Quan won't be doing any housework today. Despite not typicall...
Lion dance and fortunate money to welcome the Lunar New Year
Annette Quan won't be doing any housework today. Despite not typically being superstitious Third-generation Chinese Canadian Quan continues to hold fast to the notion that cleaning one's home on the first day of the Lunar New Year is equivalent to purging luck and wealth.
The 66-year-old, a Victoria native, doesn't observe all the customs associated with Lunar New Year, but she still wants to transmit parts of them to her two grandkids, who are seven and thirteen.
As a family, we continue to frequent dim sum restaurants, and Quan, a member of the Victoria Chinatown Lioness Club, continues to present her loved ones red envelopes with "lai see," or fortunate money. To remind children of their heritage, I believe it is still crucial to do so.
For many years, Quan simply attempted to blend in with her white peers despite growing up in what she claims was the only Asian household in Cordova Bay.@jakadiya
I didn't want to be different at the moment. I didn't want my parents talking to me in Chinese in front of other people, the woman remarked.
She now appreciates the customs and culture associated with the Lunar New Year. It is a national holiday in China and the majority of the rest of Asia, and each of its 15 days is marked by a different theme or unique custom. Next Sunday in Victoria, there will be a parade and festivities in and around Chinatown.
Despite the fact that Quan still owns a silk cheongsam, she claims it would be too formal to meet visitors and family.
I'll probably just add a small amount of crimson to my attire, Quan added.
Red accents may be seen all throughout her home as well. Any banners will nearly always include gold wording that wishes the wearer luck and wealth.
Red accents may be seen all throughout her home as well. Any banners will nearly always include gold wording that wishes the wearer luck and wealth.
When her grandchildren are present, the relatives and friends who come to visit her during the holiday season always whip out elaborate red envelopes. The envelopes, which are referred to as lai see in Cantonese and hong bao in Mandarin, are frequently embellished with elaborate Chinese calligraphy and symbols and contain a modest amount of cash. Only unmarried children are handed the envelopes, which are designed to wish the receiver happiness and good fortune.
The $2 Canadian dollar was a well-liked denomination when it was in use because it was crimson in color. Before the new year, families and individuals would visit the bank to try to obtain as many new bills as they could find to cram into the envelopes.
On Wednesday of the previous week, Quan gave her coworkers oranges as gifts, continuing a similar custom. Oranges stand for gold, she explained. "The gift demonstrates my deep esteem for my coworkers."
The date of the Lunar New Year varies every year, however, it always comes between January 21 and February 20, unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is more widely used. Because the lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon and sun The second new moon following the winter solstice is typically when it occurs, and it usually does so with a new moon.
Businesses and schools are closed for one to two weeks in several Asian nations so that people can go home and celebrate the holiday with their families.
The Chinese Zodiac has 12 animals, including the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. This year is the Year of the Rabbit. It is thought that people born under certain signs exhibit the animal's personality.
She was born in the Year of the Monkey, according to Quan. She added, laughing, "And it's sort of alarming, as I share some of the features given to a monkey. "It has benefits and drawbacks, just like believing in horoscopes. Just having fun.
The Year of the Rabbit is known for its watchful, witty, and intelligent inhabitants. One of the most popular zodiac signs in Chinese astrology. Rabbits are thought to be good in cooking and art because they are quick and have deft hands. The fields of education, medicine, the court, and politics are the finest choices for those who were born in the Year of the Rabbit.
The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association will host a parade in Victoria's Chinatown on Sunday, Jan. 29, which will begin with a lion dance performed by the Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club, which has been teaching kung fu and lion dance since 1974. According to Daniel Low, the club's oldest lion dancer with 31 years of expertise, the group will open this year's biggest show with a routine that includes 10 lions, the most the group has ever tried at once.
Chinese-Canadian Low, a second-generation immigrant whose family has a long history in the food industry, compared the Lunar New Year to "Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all rolled into one." "Our family typically eats nonstop for two weeks."
Lion dances are performed to ward off bad luck and provide good fortune. The lion is a representation of strength and wisdom in Chinese culture.
Following the dances, two lions will march through Chinatown, stopping at businesses to receive offerings of leafy vegetable greens and good luck money.
The purpose of the lion dance is to frighten away evil spirits and bring luck and success to businesses.
Dragon dance and other traditional Chinese dances will also be performed by students from the Chinese Public School.
The event on January 29 begins at the Fisgard and Government Street corner at noon and lasts until 3:30 p.m.