Celebrating the Year of the Snake
2013-02-08 14:12
2013 is the year of the snake. In ancient times, legend
states that Buddha invited all the animals to meet him on Chinese New
Year. Only twelve came, so Buddha named a year after each one. He
honoured the animals by declaring that anyone born in each animal’s year
would take on part of that animal’s nature. Much like the snake,
people born during its namesake year are reputed to be complex,
intuitive and logical.
Seeing Red
Fifteen days of family, feasting and fortune kick off on Sunday February
10, 2013, marking the first day of the Lunar New Year. The celebration
is a tradition steeped in history; legend states that the monster, Nian,
would visit on the first day of every New Year to devour livestock,
crops and the village children, so the villagers would leave plates of
food at their doors in the hopes he would eat it and be satisfied.
When
they saw that Nian was frightened away by a child wearing red one day,
they started to paint their windows and doors red, hang red lanterns
around their homes, dress in red clothing and set off firecrackers. Nian
never returned to the village. Still to this day, the colour red is
believed to drive away bad luck. Red is very prominent throughout the
Chinese New Year; people wear red clothes and costumes, hang red
decorations around their homes and children are given money in red
envelopes.
Feasts and Fireworks
During Chinese New
Year, families feast on plenty of meat, fish, dumplings, vegetables and
citrus fruits – all important symbols of luck and good fortune. The
tremendous amount of food prepared and enjoyed during Chinese New Year
symbolises abundance and wealth for the family. Exciting, vibrant street
festivals take place, with traditional dancing lions and dragons and
colourful, loud firework displays to scare the evil spirits away.
Lucky Money
One
of the most well-known traditions of Chinese New Year is the giving of
red envelopes containing money. Adults present children with a narrow,
red envelope adorned with gold symbols for wealth, a long-life and
happiness. As a sign of respect, children should not open the envelope
in front of their elders.
So as the Year of the Snake slithers
closer, why not join the festivities and pay homage to this most
important of Chinese traditions, wherever you are in the world?
Place
flowers throughout your home, fill fruit bowls with mandarins and
oranges, or try making your own meal of traditional Chinese cuisine to
share with your family, with dumplings for good luck and a Chinese New
Year sticky rice cake. Let good fortune fill your household, and be sure
to greet your Chinese friends with a warm ‘Gung Hay Fat Choy’, meaning
‘Have a prosperous and happy New Year!
Mingle with the locals,
savour authentic cuisine and discover the unexpected.
Experience China
on a Trafalgar guided holiday, filled with magical sightseeing and
unique Insider Experiences. Priced from R16 925 per person sharing
travellers can enjoy a wonderful 9-day Classic China At Leisure
experience. This includes 8 nights first class accommodation with
breakfast daily, six lunches and three evening meals (including a Peking
Duck Dinner), sightseeing, the services of a Travel Director, airport
transfers, tips, baggage handling and more.
In Beijing visit
Tiananmen Square, tour the Forbidden City, walk the Great Wall, wonder
of the ancient world, travel the Sacred Way, experience an evening of
kung fu at the Red Theatre, see the Giant Pandas at the Beijing Zoo,
explore the Hutongs by rickshaw. While Xian will have guests exploring
the excavations of the Terra Cotta Warriors and horses, visiting the
City Wall and enjoying a thrilling Tang Dynasty cultural show. Shanghai
brings relaxation on the Huangpu River Cruise, a visit to the Zhujiajiao
ancient water town and a performance by the Shanghai Acrobats.
To book call your favourite ASATA travel agent or call Trafalgar directly on (011) 280 8400. Visit www.trafalgar.com for more information on their exciting Asian itineraries.
