Kung Hei Fat Choy - Cantonese for
Happy New Year.
Welcome the Year of the Dragon . A
very auspicious year it would seem … from
the International Business Times … The Year of the Dragon is one of the most revered years of
the Chinese New Year calendar, and those born under the sign are regarded as
innovative, passionate people who are colourful, confident and fearless…. the
Dragon is sometimes called a "karmic sign." The Dragon is larger than
life and its appearance means that big things are to come. The Year of the
Dragon is a flowing river, not a stagnant lake, so things happen quickly
earlier in the year. The Dragon marks progression, perseverance and
auspiciousness. It may also bring about unpredictable events.
To
celebrate the new year we spent a couple of days in Sydney with our family for the launch of the
Chinese New Year Festival. We are sorry we will not be able to enjoy the
legendary parade next weekend, but it clashes with the beginning of the school
year in NSW… not good to have grandchildren celebrating late into the night before
their first day of term.
What does
Chinese New Year mean to our family?
Being
together as a family, of course ….
Tradition - Lion
dances….
And
parades ….
New
clothes in bright colours …
Chasing away the bad spirits….
And
welcoming the new and the good ….
Learning about heritage ….
Religious observance...
Reflection and meditation...
Just
having fun together regardless of the weather.... And when any more celebrating is just too much, there's nothing better than a vegemite sandwich and a sleep in the arms of someone who loves you....
Thanks to my beautiful family for making this Chinese New Year celebration very special for me and to all my friends and family my best wishes for happiness, peace and love in the Year of the Dragon.