Chinese Chinese Facts/Traditions

FACTS ON NUMBERS

- The number 8 is seen as a lucky number for the simple (and in my opinion, silly) reason because it sounds very much like the word which means 'rich/prosperous' - 發

The word for 'rich' 發 pronounced in [Mandarin/Cantonese] respectively: Fa/Faart (yes, unfortunately sounding like you know what -_-). The number 8 is pronounced ba/baart... Omg, they rhyme!!11. What a silly thing to believe in? some may say... Don't diss, this number is treated with respect on it's own in China.

- 13 in the west means unlucky. Has no effect in China. More so to the number 4, which sounds very much like the word for death 死 pronoucned si/sAy (emphasis to the 'A' highlighted), and is literally the same pronounciation for the number 4 as well. Except si/say is higher toned for the number '4' and lower toned for the word 'death'


FOOD FACTS

- "Yum Char" Effectively means 'Drink Tea' and for those who don't know, it is a popular social affair for the chinese where family and friends eat and drink (tea usually) at a chinese restaurant which serves steamed/friend/boiled dishes typically called "Dim Sum", often served in small bamboo baskets. If you've visited China town you'll see it everyway in every chinese restaurant. Delicious but fatty ^^;

"Dim Sum" in chinese 點心 effectively means 'a touch of the heart'

More to come


- Shen

 

Contribution

Chinese New Year

-Preparations for the new year often begins during the last month of the lunar year. It is an auspicious occasion, and great detail is taken in its readiness. The home must be cleaned thoroughly. The past year's dirt is swept away, and clutter is straightened out. This is done so that negative aspects of the past year is not brought forward to the new year. New clothes and new shoes are worn to usher in the new year. Special foods are carefully prepared.

-On new year's eve, family members must return to the parent's home for a special meal together. Various foods are prepared and eaten because of their symbolic significances. The food must be abundant, and there must be some left over at the end of the meal. The new year will, therefore, start with plenty. It is hoped that there then will be abundance throughout the year.

-At new year, people greet each other commonly with the phrase, "Gung Hay Fat Choy." In doing so, they are wishing each other congratulations and prosperity. Other salutations include "good health," "hope you make academic progress," "hope you get a promotion at work," and "congratulations and blessings for many children."

-Almost always, families will call on relatives and friends to wish them a Happy New Year. There is an order to this visitation. The younger members of a family must visit with their elders. This is in deference to respect and piety. After "Gung Hay Fat Choy" is wished upon the elders, the elders in return give "lucky money" to the younger members.

-Money that is placed into specially designed red envelopes is known as "lucky money." It is usually given by those who are married to their children, and to unmarried children of relatives and friends. Furthermore, while visiting the homes of relatives and friends, new year gifts are presented to the host or hostess. In return for the gifts, red "lucky money" envelopes are given.

-The amount placed in the red envelope varies. One's own children may receive five or ten dollars, and children of casual acquaintances may receive one dollar. Without a doubt, children anticipate the arrival of Chinese New Year with great excitement. Givers of the red envelopes feel great as well. Furthermore, people who provide a regular service for the giver also may receive a red envelope. Such people may include newspaper carriers, regular delivery persons, mail carriers, or perhaps the children's teachers.

-Red envelopes are not only limited to new year celebrations. "Lucky money" is often given throughout the year for weddings, birthdays, and graduations, just to name a few occasions. There are no limits to their uses.

-Also, red envelopes are not restricted to the giving of money. They may be used to give special or precious trinkets such as coins or small pieces of sentimental jewelry.

-The practice of giving red "lucky money" envelopes is a very important part of Chinese culture and people should always be prepared for any occasion. Chinese people are seldom without "lucky money" should unexpected visits by relatives and friends occur during the new year celebration.
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Courtesy of FatMing.com

 

You might find this interesting:

'Lucky Money' issue:

- Like SteamedRice said, only married couples are allowed to give money - this is mostly given to children (elders too). So effectively, the more friends and relatives you visit, the more money you (the child) gets But this generally doesn't happen (obviously, it'll just be silly), especially if you are being the only child in the household... willl come to this later.

- However, likewise with your own parents, they have give other children money, so it's basically an exchange of money but instead the money the children of every family benefits from it all. However, if one's family has more than 1 child, then the giver could run into a few financial problems because you MUST give them the money, this comes to my next point

- More children in any one family can prove beneficial when it comes to Chinese New Year (or other events come to think about it), because the income will more often be greater than the expenditure. That is why my parents fear Chinese new year (in a way), because I am the only child and we have loooooads of friends and families - who on the whole have at least 2 children in the family -_-

- Now, the money distributed is entirely dependant on how much the parents are willing to give. In my case £10 ($18) is quite often the very minimal you will find in any one 'red packet'... maybe £5 from random people who you don't know of but are long-ago friends with your parents. But this is often unlikely (unless your parent's happen to bump into them in China Town or something). If you get say, £40 from one couple, and they have 3 children, it is probably safer for your parent to give £10 each so that it's £30 in total. Or maybe £20 each if they are older like teens (for obvious reasons because they need it now than like.. babies). But on the day, you don't really get the time to calculate how much to distribute after finding out how much your child got... it all happens on the day and the amount accumulated is often summed up when you get home.

Incidentally, e.g. 50-year singles are liable to receive a 'red packet' but it's often quite embarrassing... and rare.

Getting money from elders is usually of a greater sum, e.g. From my grandma and one of my uncles... I get £100 from each per Chinese New Year (per whatever special event really).

- So, on the money issue of Chinese New Year... it can be prosperous or not so prosperous, certainly the latter in my parent's case. Children always the benefactor anyway. Aside from that Chinese New Year is often a great occasion especially if you are in China/Hong Kong, not that much going on in UK.


- Shen