Chinese New Year Day 2 (Horse 2014)

The 15 days celebration of Chinese new year starts on Friday 31st Jan 2014, with the first new moon of the calendar year. The day marks the end of the year of the water snake and welcomes the start of the year of the wooden horse. Red is a key colour for New Year's celebrations, as it symbolises a bright and happy future. This year will mark the beginning of the Year of the Horse: this animal signifies surprises in adventure and romance, and people born during this year are believed to be good communicators, kind, talkative, independent, and impatient.

The Chinese zodiac which names each of the years in its 12-year cycle after an animal: the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig, in order. The universe is made up of five elements: earth, water, fire, wood and metal, which interact with the 12 animals, resulting in the specific character of the year ahead.

People born in the year of the horse are said to have a character like horses: animated, active and energetic, they love being in a crowd. They are quick learner, independence, have a straightforward and positive attitude towards life. They are known for their communication skills and are exceedingly witty.

If you were born in the year of the horse, you should be looking for potential partners who were born in the years of the tiger, goat or dog. Avoid those born in the year of the rat, ox, rabbit or horse. You won't like them.

For those who are superstition, this year people who are born in the year of horse will offend Tai Sui, the god of age and will experience emotional problem which will lead to bad luck when it go out of control. To avoid this, wear something red, which has been given to you by someone else. In general, the lucky colours of team horse are are green, red and purple; the lucky numbers are 3, 4, 9.

People wear red clothing during the festivities and children, unmarried friends, and close relatives are given red envelopes "lai see" with money inside for good luck.

On CNY 2nd day, the Chinese pray to both their ancestors and to all of the gods. It's believed that this day is the birthday of all dogs, as well, so canine friends get a lot of love and food on day two.

This were our breakfast on the 2nd day of Chinese New Year. Mum started cooking all this dish at 3am and we ate this as early as 9am. Mum always cooked up a storm of good food.

"Choysum" with Stewed Abalone

 

"Fatt Choi Hou See" Stewed Oyster, Fish Skin, Sea Cucumber with mushroom and seaweed.

 

Poached Corn Fed Chicken

 

Pork Intestines, Fish Fillet, Pineapple and Button Mushroom in Tomato sauce

 

"Kau Nyuk" Braised Pork Belly with Yam

 

On CNY 3rd and 4th, sons-in-law are expected to pay respects to their parents-in-law.

CNY 5th Day is called "Po Wu", where people stay home to welcome the god of wealth. It's believed that visiting family and friends on this day will bring bad luck.

Visiting is back on from days CNY day 6 to 10, where the Chinese also visit temples to pray for wealth and health in the coming year.

On CNY 7th Day, farmers display their harvest and make a celebratory drink from seven types of vegetables. As CNY 2nd day is considered the birthday of dogs, CNY 7th day is the birthday of human beings, "Yu Sang or Lou Sang" raw fish for success and long noodles for longevity are eaten as part of the celebrations.

CNY 8TH Day, Hokkien people have a family reunion dinner again on day eight, with midnight prayers to "Tien Gong"(God of Heaven)

CNY 9th Day, offerings to the Jade Emperor are made, the Jade Emperor is the ruler of heaven and the creator of the universe.

CNY 12th and 13th Day, friends and relatives receive dinner invitations. That means that on the 13th day, people eat rice congee and mustard greens to recover from days of rich meals.

CNY 14th Day is spent getting ready for the Lantern Festival on the 15th night.

CNY 15th Day is celebrated as "Yuan Xiao Festival" or the Lantern Festival (Chap Goh Mei). Rice dumplings tang yuan, a sweet glutinous rice ball brewed in a soup, are eaten this day. Candles are lit outside houses as a way to guide wayward spirits home. This day is celebrated as the Lantern Festival, and families walk the street carrying lighted lanterns.

In Malaysia and Singapore, this day is celebrated by individuals seeking for a romantic partner, Valentine's Day. Normally, single women would write their contact number on mandarin oranges and throw it in a river or a lake while single men would collect them and eat the oranges. The taste is an indication of their possible love: sweet represents a good fate while sour represents a bad fate. This day marks the end of the Chinese New Year festivities.

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