Across South East Asia there have been 15 days of celebration culminating yesterday in the final day of Chinese New Year an annual festival of food, fireworks and togetherness to welcome in the new year in style. Celebrated all over Asia inlcuding in Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam, Chinese New Year is a pleasurable assualt on the senses… bright reds everywhere (the colour of luck), firecrackers and drums, Lion Dances, Dragon Dances and food… so much food. Just imagine Christmas Day…. but it lasts for a fortnight!

The most important time in the Chinese calendar, it’s the time to be with loved ones and forget personal grudges. The symbolism that occurs during this time is fascinating from what to wear, what to eat, and who to give gifts to. Almost each of the 15 days of celebration is a traditionally important day, therefore almost each day families and friends get together (with food being the most important guest). The chinese calendar rotates around 12 years symbolised by 12 animals (or 11 animals and one mythical creature to be exact). This year we have just entered the year of the Dragon, the last being in the year 2000. The dragon is seen as being the most auspicious of the 12 animals and a child born in the year of the dragon is thought to be particularly blessed (and as a Dragon myself, I can vouch for that). The others are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and finally Pig, each animal with it’s own particular characteristics for those born in that year, much in the same way those in the west may judge character on a montly basis through astronomy. So, which animal are you? Go find out…

So if you are thinking of coming over to Asia with us, why not think about doing it during Chinese New Year, it’s a fascinating time of the year and makes our own festive celebrations look tame in comparison. It’s loud, colourful, tasty… there’s dancing, singing, eating and drinking… new friends will be made and old ones will welcome you like you’ve never been away. Give it  try!

Print PDF

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 7th, 2012 at 12:22 pm and is filed under Borneo, Cambodia, Gap, Gap, Staff, Vietnam. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.