Chinese New Year and Western Xmas
Kung Hei Fat Choi (Chinese: 恭喜發財, English: Wish you have a prosperous New Year).
Lunar New Year is the most important day for Chinese. Chinese takes it as seriously as the Western does Christmas. Interestingly, it is found that they share some similarities of custom. Let us have a look.
Chicken and Turkey
The chicken is a must in the dinner of Lunar New Year as if the turkey is the main course in Xmas dinner. In medieval Europe, having large fowl at meals was considered a sign of wealthy sophisticated household. Likewise, in traditional Chinese, in which agriculture was the main industry, chicken was considered as a high class dish. Chicken, which was thought to cry out the sun, also represents good fortune.
Peach tree and Christmas Tree
Chinese people, especially Cantonese, like to buy peach trees just before Lunar New Year. They believe that peach trees can bring them good fortune in the coming year. In view of psychology, the slight pink color of peach flower can make people feel relaxed and happy. Similarly, the Western likes to have a Xmas tree at home during Xmas. This tradition has come from Germany in the seventh century.
Lai See and Gift Exchange
Lai See (Chinese: 利是, English: Lucky Money) is Chinese children's favorite. In Lunar New year, adults will pay their children and other children red pockets, which contain some money. Lai See Giving was originally the tradition of marriage around the tenth century and becomes that of Lunar New Year. The red pocket means good wishes (Red color is Chinese lucky color) and the money means encouragement to children.
Lai See Giving looks like Xmas Gift Exchange that implies Boxing Day. Boxing Day began in the Britain in the nineteenth century and was a way for the upper class to donate gifts to the lower class.
Cai Shen and Santa Claus
Similar to Santa Claus, who is believed to refer to St. Nicholas performing a number of miracles associated with gift giving in the fourth century, Cai Shen (Chinese: 財神, English: God of Wealth) is the most popular character in Lunar New Year. Chinese people think that Cai Shen controls the wealth of the world. If he visited one's home, people at the home would become richer.
Greeting Word and Song
Songs and greeting words are common in most races. In both Xmas and Lunar New Year, you will hear various songs and greeting words. Some Chinese greeting words are interesting and somehow show traditional wisdom. This is perhaps because the tradition comes from the upper class of ancient China. The following shows a greeting song associated with ten numbers:
一帆風順 : Bon Voyage with One Yacht
二龍騰飛 : as Energetic as Two Flying Dragons
三洋開泰 : Peace in Three Oceans
四季平安 : Peace in Four Seasons
五福臨門 : Five fortunes arriving at the door of home
六六大順 : as Favorable as Lucky Six
七星高照 : Seven Stars of Wishes up above the world so high
八方來財 : Wealth from Eight Directions
九九同心 : Harmony lasting as long as Forever Nine
十全十美 : as Perfect as Ten tenth completeness and Ten tenth beauty
The East and the West have their own big festivals. Both Lunar New Year and Xmas are chances of family reunion. Feeling of warmth spreads over the icy season.
It also seems that the above customs of Xmas do not strictly match to religious meanings. In fact, some Xmas traditions have been introduced before Christianity spreads over the Europe. Letters from Pope Gregory (See detail at http://www.englishheathenism.homestead.com/popesletter.html) gives evidences of the integration of Heathen traditions and celebrations and continuation as part of the Christian religion. This can be considered as an explanation of the similarity between traditions of Lunar New Year and those of Xmas.
Lunar New Year is the most important day for Chinese. Chinese takes it as seriously as the Western does Christmas. Interestingly, it is found that they share some similarities of custom. Let us have a look.
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Chicken and Turkey
The chicken is a must in the dinner of Lunar New Year as if the turkey is the main course in Xmas dinner. In medieval Europe, having large fowl at meals was considered a sign of wealthy sophisticated household. Likewise, in traditional Chinese, in which agriculture was the main industry, chicken was considered as a high class dish. Chicken, which was thought to cry out the sun, also represents good fortune.
Peach tree and Christmas Tree
Chinese people, especially Cantonese, like to buy peach trees just before Lunar New Year. They believe that peach trees can bring them good fortune in the coming year. In view of psychology, the slight pink color of peach flower can make people feel relaxed and happy. Similarly, the Western likes to have a Xmas tree at home during Xmas. This tradition has come from Germany in the seventh century.
Lai See and Gift Exchange
Lai See (Chinese: 利是, English: Lucky Money) is Chinese children's favorite. In Lunar New year, adults will pay their children and other children red pockets, which contain some money. Lai See Giving was originally the tradition of marriage around the tenth century and becomes that of Lunar New Year. The red pocket means good wishes (Red color is Chinese lucky color) and the money means encouragement to children.
Lai See Giving looks like Xmas Gift Exchange that implies Boxing Day. Boxing Day began in the Britain in the nineteenth century and was a way for the upper class to donate gifts to the lower class.
Cai Shen and Santa Claus
Similar to Santa Claus, who is believed to refer to St. Nicholas performing a number of miracles associated with gift giving in the fourth century, Cai Shen (Chinese: 財神, English: God of Wealth) is the most popular character in Lunar New Year. Chinese people think that Cai Shen controls the wealth of the world. If he visited one's home, people at the home would become richer.
Greeting Word and Song
Songs and greeting words are common in most races. In both Xmas and Lunar New Year, you will hear various songs and greeting words. Some Chinese greeting words are interesting and somehow show traditional wisdom. This is perhaps because the tradition comes from the upper class of ancient China. The following shows a greeting song associated with ten numbers:
一帆風順 : Bon Voyage with One Yacht
二龍騰飛 : as Energetic as Two Flying Dragons
三洋開泰 : Peace in Three Oceans
四季平安 : Peace in Four Seasons
五福臨門 : Five fortunes arriving at the door of home
六六大順 : as Favorable as Lucky Six
七星高照 : Seven Stars of Wishes up above the world so high
八方來財 : Wealth from Eight Directions
九九同心 : Harmony lasting as long as Forever Nine
十全十美 : as Perfect as Ten tenth completeness and Ten tenth beauty
******
The East and the West have their own big festivals. Both Lunar New Year and Xmas are chances of family reunion. Feeling of warmth spreads over the icy season.
It also seems that the above customs of Xmas do not strictly match to religious meanings. In fact, some Xmas traditions have been introduced before Christianity spreads over the Europe. Letters from Pope Gregory (See detail at http://www.englishheathenism.homestead.com/popesletter.html) gives evidences of the integration of Heathen traditions and celebrations and continuation as part of the Christian religion. This can be considered as an explanation of the similarity between traditions of Lunar New Year and those of Xmas.
Comments
Wish you enjoy Chinese New Year as much as you do Xmas.