First and Second Day of Chinese New Year

On the first day of Chinese New Year, we would wake up earlier despite staying up late the night before. It is a tradition in my family to lit joss sticks and gave lavish offerings to our god and ancestors, hoping that they would grant us a better year. Bear in mind that sweeping floor is a taboo on the first day, as the elderly believes that it will sweep all the good fortune away.

My siblings and I are always enthusiastic to wear something in red and to visit relatives to extend our loud and auspicious New Year’s greetings such as ???? (Gong Xi Fa Cai) but it is always followed by ???? (Ang Pow Bagi). Grin

This year, we were invited to witness one of the most spectacular sights during Chinese New Year; it’s a performance by a champion lion dance troupe from Johor. The drum rhythmic patterns are closely tied to the feline and agile movement of the lion. My parents never missed a single opportunity to take a picture with their most favorite people ( or god?) in the whole wide world too.

On the second day of Chinese New Year, traditionally married daughter will go home to visit their birth parents. However, this year my family has decided to visit the maternal side of our family another time where the traffic congestion would ease up. At our Ipoh house, we performed a simple ‘Hoi Nin’ prayer and lunch, wishing that we will be blessed with good luck and prosperity in business.

My wonder-mum actually whipped up a feast for our simple “Hoi Nin” lunch. Almost every dish has a symboli meaning and auspicious to ensure a prosporous New Year!

Steamed Whole Chicken – It symbolizes completeness and prosperity

My parents believe that having Siu Yuk (Roasted Pork) that was offered to our god and ancestors earlier will bring us luck.

Wang Choi Jau Sau (windfall profit with little effort) with Fat Choy Ho See (getting rich and good things happen). Pork trotters are braised together with dried black moss, dried oyster and mushroom for long hours until the trotters turn soft and chewy.

Nin Nin Yao Yu – Fish actually represents abundance or having more than enough to spend. Towards the end of the dinner, some part of the fish are left untouched to represent the meaning.

Ha Ha Dai Siu – I’m pretty sure that everyone knows that. Prawns in Cantonese (ha) sounds like laughter which is why prawns represent happiness.