As we leave the Year of the Ox, we move into the Year of the Tiger which symbolises strength, exorcising evils and braveness. This is hopeful news as we will come out of this pandemic together as a stronger and more cohesive community.
Also known as the Spring Festival, Chinese New Year is the most significant and most celebrated festival in the Chinese Calendar. It is marked by the lunisolar Chinese calendar which is why the date changes from year to year.
The Chinese New Year festival period usually lasts for 15 days, starting from Chinese New Year's Eve and finishing on the Lantern Festival. In 2022, it is from February 1st to February 15th. The standard public holiday for (mainland) Chinese is the 7 days from Chinese New Year's Eve to day 6 of the lunar calendar new year.
Perth Chinese Association and The Confederation of Chinese Associations in Scotland are very proud of the work we do in partnership with Perth and Kinross Council. By working together, we achieve our vision and produce positive outcomes for our people and communities here within Perth & Kinross.
Over the years there have been many excellent examples where Perth & Kinross Council, Consulate of the People’s Republic of China and Perth Chinese Association have worked together to celebrate Chinese culture and support and develop the Chinese community in Perth & Kinross including:
And many, many more.
I think that in Perth the Chinese community is part of all our lives. I was born here; my brothers, sisters, cousins and most other Chinese-Scots my age all consider themselves to be equal parts of both cultures. We really have grown up with the best of both worlds!
As a boy growing up in Perth in a Chinese family, I remember Chinese New Year as a magical time where Chinese family and friends came together to celebrate at organised private events. Through the years, because of the efforts of Perth Chinese Association and Perth & Kinross Council, I have been delighted to see the Chinese New Year celebrations in Perth grow and grow to be an event where all the diverse communities of our area can share in the joy and appreciate the Chinese culture and celebrations.
We now have the biggest and most attended Public Chinese New Year event in Scotland which is attended by people from all over the UK. Our popular event incorporates part of the Winter Festival Programme - Riverside Lights Nights at Norie-Miller Walk on the beautiful Banks of the River Tay.
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 we are not able to celebrate in the same way this year. However, there are online concerts and events organised by the Consul General of the Peoples Republic of China in Edinburgh – Mr. Ma Qiang, and to mark the occasion the Perth Smeaton Bridge will be lit up in yellow and red during the festival.
As we look forward to the celebrations still to come, the events team and I are already busy planning an even bigger and better celebration together in 2023. 😊
I will conclude by saying may the year of the Tiger bring you Joy, Health and Prosperity.
新年快樂
恭喜發財
Sun-nin Fai Lor
Kung Hei Fat Choi
Translated:
Happy New Year
Congratulations and best wishes for a prosperous New Year
Things that will bring Tigers luck:
People eat ‘auspicious food’ during the new year period. For many, this means fish dishes. A fish is a symbol of good luck, wealth and healthy life.
Dumplings are traditionally eaten during the festivities. These little round rice flour balls are often filled with vegetables. Mandarin oranges, dried fruit and even sweets are seen as lucky food. Candy boxes and little round-shaped biscuits symbolising gold or fortune are served everywhere.
A popular food is long noodles that symbolise good fortune as well as a long life.
Dragon dancing and lion dancing will usher in the New Year in many cities. Some families may even invite a dance troupe into their homes as well.
Firecrackers and fireworks are lit as these shall bring good luck and fortune.
Red envelopes are often exchanged to symbolise prosperity and happiness. Married family members hand red envelopes (called Lai See) with money to others to show their goodwill and give blessings for the new year to the other family members.
Children sometimes get oranges, sweets or coins. Always make sure to give an even number of gifts or in the amount of money. So always at least two mandarins, two packets or two coins. The number eight is considered an especially lucky or auspicious number.
The bright colours and especially red colours are seen as a lucky symbol. Red decorations, lanterns and colourful symbols can be seen everywhere. These shall attract luck and prosperity for the year to come.
Many people dress mainly in red coloured clothing for the festivities. Often people also buy new clothes to show that a fresh beginning is celebrated with the New Year. In the Mandarin language, the word for ‘red’ has the same sound as the word for ‘prosperous’.