[BCMA] FW: Why to wear red for the Chinese New Year?

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

For Immediate Release 

January 14, 2014 

 

Contact: Mirjana Galovich 

Director of Marketing and Communications 

T: 604. 662.3207 x 204 

 

CHINESE NEW YEAR - The Year of the Horse Temple Fair at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen
Chinese Garden

To celebrate traditional Chinese New Year, on Sunday Feb. 2, 2014 from 10 am
to 4pm (admission by donation) the Garden presents a special "The Year of
the Horse Temple Fair". It is a "Hot and Noisy" (re-nao) public event based
on the Spring Festival temple fair where people entertain, trade, greet,
celebrate and pray for a prosperous new year. Red is considered to be a
lucky color and is commonly worn throughout Chinese New Year so, to get into
the spirit of the festival, wear your brightest red clothing and join us at
the Garden for the following family-friendly events:  

Live Music Performances - All Day

*	Traditional bamboo flute performed by Su Lin
*	Guzheng performed by Yuyin Ruan
*	Traditional Chinese music performed by the Chinese Heritage
Instrument Club
*	Multicultural concert performed by Toddish McWong and Friends

Traditional Chinese Dance & Workshop with Jessica Yue - 2pm - 2:45 pm
performances include fans, drums, handkerchiefs and umbrellas.

Gongfu Tea Ceremony -  10 am - 4:00 pm Lars Nielson and Adrian Sinclair will
take you through a traditional Gongfu Tea Ceremony involving ritualized
preparation and presentation of tea. 

Traditional Chinese Games - All Day - Bring your A game as your athletic
ability and mental dexterity will definitely be tested.

Children's Corner - All Day - Your little ones will love what we have
planned for them: running around and screaming to chase out evil spirits (as
tradition requires), dress-ups, fun arts and crafts, and all the other
things they are not allowed to do at home.

And don't forget to explore the Garden's stunning grounds adorned with red
lanterns for the New Year! 

Project partners: T&T Supermarket; Dawa Media. 

DID YOU KNOW? - INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT CHINESE NEW YEAR 

Chinese Spring Festival, a 4,000-year old tradition, also called Lunar New
Year, falls this year on January 31. The holiday in China goes on from
January 31 to February 6, 2014 and it is the
<http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/social_customs/zodiac/horse.htm> Year
of the Horse according to Chinese zodiac. It is the grandest and the most
important festival for Chinese people and the time for the whole families to
get together - similar to  Christmas Day to the westerners. Originating
during the Shang Dynasty (about 17th - 11th century BC), Spring Festival,
which celebrates family reunion, is full of rich and colorful activities and
hopes with the advent of spring and flowers blossoming. 

Legends 
It was believed that the "nian" (year) was a strong monster, fierce and
cruel, which ate one kind of animal including human being a day. Human
beings were scared about it and had to hide on the evening when the "nian"
came out. Later, people found that "nian" was very scared about the red
color and fireworks. So after that, people use red color and fireworks or
firecrackers to drive away "nian". As a result, the custom of using red
color and setting off fireworks remains.

Customs  

Every family does a thorough house cleaning and purchases enough food,
including fish, meat, roasted nuts and seeds, all kinds of candies and
fruits, for the festival period. Also, new clothes must be bought,
especially for children. 

Taboos
The Spring Festival is a start for a new year, so it is regarded as the omen
of a year. People have many taboos during this period. Many bad words
related to "death", "broken", "killing", "ghost" and "illness" or
"sickness", are forbidden during conversations. Taking medicine is forbidden
on this day otherwise, people will be sick for the whole year and take
medicine constantly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mirjana Galovich 

Director of Marketing and Communications 

 



 

578 Carrall Street 

Vancouver, BC V6B 5K2 

 

T: 604-662-3207 x204

F: 604-682-4008

 <http://www.vancouverchinesegarden.com/> www.vancouverchinesegarden.com

 <http://www.facebook.com/vancouverchinesegarden>
www.facebook.com/vancouverchinesegarden

 <http://www.twitter.com/vangarden> www.twitter.com/vangarden

 

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