Chinese New Year sees us leave the Year of the Rat and move into the Year of the Ox, symbolising strength and determination. This seems particularly apt as we work our way out of this pandemic together.
Also known as the Spring Festival, Chinese New Year is marked by the lunisolar Chinese calendar which is why the date changes from year to year. It is the most significant and celebrated festival in the Chinese Calendar.
The Chinese New Year Festival usually lasts for 16 days, starting from Chinese New Year’s Eve and finishing on the Lantern Festival. This year is runs from February 11th to February 26th. 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: February 11 – 17, 2021.
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 are many excellent examples where Perth & Kinross Council, The 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:
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 the diverse communities of our area can share in the joy and appreciate the Chinese culture and celebrations.
We now have the largest public Chinese New Year event in Scotland, 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 The Consul General of the Peoples Republic of China in Edinburgh has organised a series of online concerts and events for everyone to enjoy. The Perth Smeaton Bridge will be lit up in yellow and red during the festival and the events team and myself are already busy planning an even bigger and better celebration for 2022. 😊
I will conclude by saying may the year of the ox bring you Joy, Health and Prosperity.
新年快樂
恭喜發財
Sun-nin Fai Lor
Kung Hei Fat Choi
Happy New Year
Congratulations and best wishes for a prosperous New Year
Some things are considered especially auspicious in the Year of the Ox. Among these are:
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 a 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 are 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 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’.