 |
| Red lanterns in Chinatown |
CNY 2013- The Year of the Snake
Chinese New Year is a huge celebration for Singaporians, and red is everywhere. The city shuts down for a couple days as people get together with friends and family to bring in the new year. The festivities officially last for two weeks, but Chinatown was buzzing with decorations, lanterns, and stalls selling foods, clothes, toys, and trinkets for CNY. A couple of my yoga friends and I went to Chinatown to look around one rainy night, and enjoyed roasted chestnuts and fresh coconut as we walked around. They have a huge line of yellow lanterns in the shape of a snake lining the road; you can see a few of them in the distance in the picture below.
 |
Chinatown- You can see the yellow lanterns for the big snake in the distance.
|
 |
Giant Pineapples!
|
Pineapple Goodness
Pineapples are everywhere during CNY. They are in both yellow and red, and are hanging in shops, along streets, and peoples' homes. For eating, pineapple tarts are a special CNY treat. There are many varieties of pineapple tart, and depending on where you buy them they will have a different pastry or filling. The trick is that many different kinds look identical, so you have to remember where your favorites are sold. We tried at least 8 different kinds, and I'm not sure I can choose a favorite, but they are delicious.
 |
| Before the feast |
 |
| Stuffed! |
CNY Reunion Dinner
John and I were lucky enough to be invited over to my friend Wynter's house for the CNY reunion dinner. The reunion dinner is on the eve of the first day of the new year, and each family gets together for a HUGE meal. There are certain rules about whose family you go to if you are married and whose house you go to to show respect to your elder family. For the reunion dinner, we had our first steam boat, and it was delicious! Steam boat is a boiling pot of broth which you drop fish, chicken, pork, eggs, veggies, etc... in to cook then eat. John and I used our limited chop stick skills to drop stuff in, and thankfully they had ladles to scoop things out. I wasn't kidding when describing the amount of food, and here's a pretty good idea of the before and after. Though we were completely stuffed, we managed to eat pineapple tarts, BBQ pork jerky, and cake before heading to Wynter's grandfather's house. There we met her cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandfather, and yes, there was more food too!
 |
| Pretty colors in this salad |
Lo hei: Prosperity Toss:
There is a tradition that recently started where everyone gets together and has lo hei (prosperity toss), for good fortune and prosperity in the new year. As you toss, you are supposed to say auspicious words, including the world huat, which means prosper in Hokkien. Each ingredient has a meaning, as well as a phrase said to represent it (which I have put in red).
Raw fish symbolises abundance and excess throughout the year
(nian nian you you).
Lime is added brining luck and auspicious value
(da ji da li).
Pepper for more money and valuables
(Zhao Cai Jin Bao).
Oil is poured to circulate money in all directions.
Carrots indicate blessings of good luck approaching
(Hong Yun Dang Tou).
Green Raddish symbolises forever youth
(Qing Chun Chang Zhu), and
white raddish for prosperity in business and promotions at work
(Feng Sheng Shui Qi). Finally the condiments are added:
Peanut crumbs for a house filled with silver and gold
(Jin Yin Man Wu),
sesame seeds for flourishing business
(Sheng Yi Xing Long), and
golden pillows (fried cripsy things) to symbolise wishes that the whole floor be filled with gold
(Man Di Huang Jin). We were lucky enough to do this twice that evening, and it was probably the best part! We didn't know any of the words though, so we'll try saying those next year.
 |
| Success! |
 |
| Lo hei |
Two weeks of fun
The official first day of CNY was 10 February, and visiting begins. Each family goes to visit their older relatives, for example John and I would go to visit John's parents first, then any of his uncles, then can go visit my family next. Visiting continues for up to two weeks, but I think most of my friends were finished in a few days. We were so excited to be included in many of our friends' celebrations, and had such a fun time experiencing our first CNY here. I think we are still full of pineapple tarts and steam boat! Xx
 |
| Decorations |
