Language Development

CULTURE &
SOCIETY
WARID MIHAT
SHAHIDA HUSSEIN
KHO HUI YEN
KOH ESTHER
 It is popularly recognized
as the Spring Festival and
the celebrations last for 15
days.
 It is a seasonal feast
according to the period of
sowing and reaping –
China focused on
agricultural.
 Red, firecrackers, loud
drumming and clashing
cymbals symbolize Chinese
New Year.
 End of winter – nian
(monster) came and ate
everyone in sight
 The monster was afraid of
three things
– Noise
– Lights
– Colour red
 So they:
– Lit bonfire
– Set off fireworks
– Painted their house red
 The nian no longer bothered
them.
 People decorate their houses
with red banners to protect
against evil spirits.
New Year’s Eve
Hong Bao (red packet)
Traditional New Year Food
&
Taboo
 House Cleaning
 New Year Activities set precedent
 Bringing in the new expelling the old
 Personal Appearance and Cleanliness
What is Red
If a company’s account
book is splattered with red
ink = making a loss
Red rags waved at bulls =
get them on charge and
get ready to run.
Red cards on a football
field = get out you loser!!!
Red marks on report card
= get ready to be killed by
your parents
 The red color is the most
life-affirming shade for the
Chinese
 References
 Brendon, J., 1983 Chinese New Year
Festivals : A picturesque monograph of the rites,
ceremonies and observances in relation thereto.
Graham Brash : Singapore.
 Cheong, C., 1997 Festivals of the world : China.
Times Edition Pte Ltd : Singapore.
 http://www.educ.uvic.ca/facullty/mroth/438/CHINA/
chinese_new_year.html
 http://www.new_year.co.uk/chinese/history.htm
 http://www.gio.gov.tw/taiwan_website/s_gp/culture/
lunar_NY
 http://www_gio_gov.tw/info/festival_c/spring_e/spring
htm
 Tan, H.C., January 2004 Going places :
Thank You!