On February 16, 2018, we are celebrating the Chinese New Year. For many Filipinos, it’s about sharing tikoy, ampao and red lanterns in every mall. But more than celebrating Chinese culture and delicacies, it’s about traditions and beliefs that many of us have adopted. To appreciate the depth of Lunar New Year, we are sharing with you 9 things you probably didn’t know about as shared by China Highlights.
- Chinese New Year is celebrated for sixteen days. That’s right, 16 days! And within those 16 days, there are traditions such as house cleaning, family reunions, giving of ampao, firecrackers and fireworks.
- House Cleaning, as part of the New Year preparation, is more like spring cleaning but it implies getting rid of the past – of the old year, therefore, welcoming the new year.
- Ampao is that red envelope that adult family members give kids and always (don’t forget this: always) has money. Currency gifted in the red envelope means it’s lucky money and is a good way to start the year.
- The Philippines has always celebrated New Year with firecrackers and fireworks. We believe that by doing this, we drive away evil spirits and bad luck. This is something we picked-up from the Chinese and the louder the firecrackers, the luckier it is for your fortunes and businesses. Since firecrackers are virtually prohibited in the country, you and your family can still enjoy fireworks that will definitely be showcased by malls and various businesses.
- Going back to work is part of the tradition and the goal is to do this on the 8th day of the New Year since number “8” is the luckiest number in China.
- 2018 is the year of the DOG whose lucky colors are red, green and purple. Purple perfectly suits 2018 since Pantone declared Ultra Violet to be the color of the year.
- It isn’t just the year of the DOG, it’s the year of the EARTH DOG. Each zodiac animal sign has a corresponding element that also rotates and believed to indicate the dominant personalities of persons born in that year. For 1958 and 2018, it’s the year of the Earth Dog which implies that people born in these years are “communicative, serious and responsible in work.” Take it from famous Earth Dogs like Madonna and Michael Jackson.
- There’s a not so good news about being born in a year of the dog during this year of the dog. People born in 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994 and 2006 have to be weary of 2018 because “zodiac birth years have bad astrological associations”. We’re always on the side of being safe than sorry and our advice: #InsuretobeSure. Go to malayan.com to find out how you can rebuild and restart after accidents and emergencies.
- After getting insured, it’s time to look at your love life. This could be the year that you find love. People born in the year of the dog are most compatible with those born in the year of the rabbit, and are complementary to those born in the year of the rat, tiger, monkey and pig.
Written by Kristina Relampagos
Main source: China Highlights. China Highlights is a travel and tours company in China that promote customized trips.
Image: Publicholidays.ph
