Dryxanne’s Confessions

Sure u know what I mean with the title, right?

It’s the names of many names of Chinese New Year, the Lunar New Year. Gosh, even the term itself has many names…
Well, that at least describe the complexity of the day. And the cultural rituals and traditions behind it.

I actually doubt that, no offense though, non Chinese could ever come to a thoroughly and deep understanding of the meaning of this day to those Chinese fellows. Because, honestly, I myself as a Chinese-descended Indonesian, can not tell for sure where, how and why this tradition of celebration began. I, as many other Chinese-descended young Indonesians, have come to accept this merely as a regular annual tradition that we must celebrate, for the sake of many things. Be it our parents’ happiness, our ancestors’ peace at their current realms, or just for the colorful and cheering environment it brings.

Any reason won’t be too hilarious to be one reason to celebrate, because, hey, it’s Chinese New Year, an event that is celebrated by at least 1 billion people (let’s just face that the People Republic of China itself has more than 1.5 billion people, who, like Indonesians during Idul Fitri, celebrate Lunar New Year with a very festive way.) When the whole globe celebrates Christmas, then there’s enough reason to celebrate Lunar New Year too.

Although, there is no direct connection between the two. I mean, on one hand is a religious celebration, on the other hand is a traditional celebration, although the latter one is often mistakenly considered as religious one. Not gonna go into debates or arguments about this sensitive issue, but believe me, I myself have come to an understanding that there is absolutely NO direct connection between Lunar New Year and Buddhism on its origin, and until new knowledge I acquire prove me wrong, I will stick to this.

Do you know what are the things people do when it’s time to celebrate Lunar New Year?

First of all, Lunar New Year (for convenience I will call it Imlek from now on) is always about RED and ANGPAO (i.e : Red Envelope). Red color in Chinese tradition always reflects and is considered as the color of happiness, joy and prosperity. And Angpao is a kind of gift in the form of money given to people with many meanings. Among the meanings I know are that so the recipients take it as blessings to earn more (money) in the coming year, or just as gifts to those who in need, or to kids who just love to have some more allowances. Correct me if I’m wrong, because the tradition of giving and receiving Angpao has become so deep in the skin and bones of Chinese, that it is practiced not only during Imlek, but also at wedding ceremonies and other special events, that I even can not remember or know for sure the origin of giving and receiving Angpao.

Second, Imlek is about gathering. Just as the Indonesians (not limited to Moslems only) have this tradition of "Mudik" during the holiday of Idul Fitri, the Chineses also have this gathering tradition. Chinese-descended people in Indonesia, especially those who live far from home or parents, will try to come home to celebrate Imlek together. Chinese in China also practice the same. Eventhough they will arrive at home at night just before the 1st day of Imlek, and then leave hurrily on the 2nd day, it’s always the gathering that counts. The dinner at the Imlek’s Eve, where all members of the family gather together, the more the merrier.

Third, Imlek is about prosperity. Everybody says the famous line : "Gong Xi Fat Choy". Do you know what it means? It means "Congratulation, Wish u great prosperity". Maybe it’s not the exact correct meaning, but more  or less, it means so. It is connected also the fact that during Imlek one’s usually receive some Angpao, considered as adding prosperity (money).

Fourth, Imlek is also about rain and rainy season. It is a coincidence that Imlek usually falls on early of the year, where in some Asian countries, it is still on the rainy season (or winter for some). And lots of rain is always considered to bring great luck and prosperity. But for this I’ve heard 2 versions : one mentioning that a period of big rains BEFORE the 1st day of Imlek and a bright 1st day is always a good sign and will bring a lot of prosperity through out the whole year, while the other one says that a period of big rains even until the 1st day is the good sign.
Both are contradictory to each other. And I don’t know which one is true, but the one I’ve been told since I was a child was the 1st one, that the 1st day of Imlek should be bright and shiny. Maybe it has to do with the fact that if it rains the whole day, people will get loomy, less chance for the kids to go out and collection Angpaos from relatives and neighbours, thus less "prosperity" come in. Makes sense, eh?

Enough reasons now to accept Imlek as a whole-reddish coming phenomenon?