Showing posts with label Lunar New Year. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lunar New Year. Show all posts
2013-02-11
Traditions vs real Life
After decades of celebrating Chinese heritage and traditions during the Chinese New Year, our immediate and extended families suffered a total breakdown this year. With the patriach of the extended family gone (my late Dad), and Mum still in mourning, the annual grand gathering of the clan went on haitus for the Year of the Snake.
With Mum knocked sideways by the break in hostessing momentum, and close family members spending time away from the country adding to the sense of displacement, the so-called family re-union was made up of just a remnant of the clan.
I felt that Mum should no longer host the annual 160-person re-union in future, because of her age and her hard work hosting the event during the past three decades. Immediately, other family members slammed me down as not having a say. They then went on to tell Mum to re-instate the big clan gathering next year. Say what ? Considering that I hire the staff to assist her during the big run-up to the huge party and chip in for expenses, surely I do have a say as well.
If this selfish thinking continues on their part, I shall quietly book myself a flight out of the country during all future Chinese New Year holidays. In fact, I have decided I shall be away during every subsequent Chinese New Year period with immediate effect.
2009-01-24
Yu Sheng Lo Hei - Lunar New Year phrases
I beg to differ with all the sage and erudite research published at various authoritative websites by academic researchers.
The following, according to my tradition-abiding mother, comprise the correct, final and only version of the auspicious phrases to spout during the Yu Sheng Lo Hei (Fish Salad Lucky Toss).
From her undated newspaper clipping, sourced in Singapore, with my comments in parentheses:
For each ingredient, say this ( Mandarin pronunciation):
Raw Fish: Nian Nian You Yu - for abundance ( every year you shall have abundance)
Lime: Da Ji Da Li, for good luck ( sorry, dunno )
Five Spice Powder and Pepper: Wu Fu Lin Men, for good fortune ( sorry, dunno )
Plum Sauce: Tian Tain Mi Mi, for a honeyed year ( Every day shall be a sweet day)
White Radish: Wan Shi Ru Yi, for success ( In ten thousand things shall you be successful)
Red Chilli: Zhao Cai Jin Bao, for prosperity ( I think this means a lot of gold entering your purse )
Lettuce: He Qi Sheng Cai, for harmony and wealth ( exactly as it says)
Carrot: Bu Bu Gao Sheng, for eminence ( With each step you gain eminence)
Pickled Red Ginger: Hong Yun Dang Tou, for good luck ( sorry, dunno )
Oil: Fu Yun Nian Nian, for good fortune and luck ( Prosperity gathers each year )
Peanuts: Jin Sha Man Tang, for prosperity ( Gold sand fills your halls)
Crispy crackers: bian di huang jin, for prosperity ( The entire floor of your home be filled with gold )
When tossing: utter anything auspicious, including sheng yi xing long, for brisk business ( business with spirit of dragon ?), and sheng ti jian kang, for good health ( body be healthy).
Here are some links:
( which my mother refutes !!)
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