5  BUILDING CONNECTIONS BEING ACTIVE CITIZENS LESSON ONE

For Teachers’ Reference

ANNEX A: INFORMATION ON SOME

FESTIVALS CELEBRATED IN SINGAPORE

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is commonly known as the spring festival ‘Chun Jie’
and marks the beginning of spring in China. Traditional celebrations
stretch for a period of 15 days. The last day is called Shang Yuan Jie
(Festival of the Upper Season).

Origin
In ancient China, the farmers used a calendar system
which was very useful for agricultural activities. At the
end of each lunar year, before the start of another
agricultural year, the farmers took the opportunity to
clean their homes, rested and feasted.
The customs and practices in their celebrations
varied in different parts of China. People in northern
and southern China celebrated new year in different
ways. Even the food differed; for instance, waxed
ducks and sausages were typical food items of some
dialect groups but not of others. On the eve of the
new year, an assortment of food was prepared as
offerings to the deities and the families’ ancestors.
This was done in gratitude for good health and
peace in the year that was just ending, and for the
same blessings in the new year.
Significance
Chinese New Year is an occasion to give thanks for
the family’s successes during the past year and to
prepare the way for prosperity in the new year.
Family members far and near come together and
see themselves as part of a larger family and to
re-establish and maintain the order of the family.
Elders are venerated for their wisdom, kindness
and dedication to the family. Children have the
opportunity to express the respect and gratitude
they feel towards those who have nurtured them.
It is this form of family affection which connects the
generations over time that is called xiao or filial piety
and is the basis of family harmony.
Chinese who are Taoists also observe some
traditional practices during this time of celebration.

Observances
Preparation for the new year starts before the actual
day. Houses are thoroughly cleaned as it is believed
that cleaning drives away the ill-luck and misfortune
of the past year. The Chinese also believe that it is
good to have a clean place to greet the new year.
Food and new clothes for the family are prepared.
This signifies abundance and prosperity throughout
the coming year. Homes are filled with fresh flowers
such as plum blossoms, and new year prints and
auspicious sayings written on red paper are put up
to greet the new year.
Taoists also observe the send-off of the patron
deities of the house and the Kitchen Deity to the
Celestial Court to report the merits and misdeeds of
every household member on the 24th day of the 12th
lunar month. On the next day, the Jade Emperor is
accompanied by all the deities on his patrol of the
mortal world. On the eve of the new year, prayers
and food offerings are made to the deities and the
families’ ancestors.
Perhaps, the most important event is the reunion
dinner which takes place on the eve of the new year.
All family members gather round the dining table
to enjoy a sumptuous meal, drink and make merry.
Children are not only allowed to stay up late but also
encouraged to keep awake till past midnight as it is
believed that, by doing so they will bring good health
and longevity to their parents and grandparents. In
some families, before receiving their hongbao (red
packets), children have to serve tea to their elders as
a mark of respect.
On Chinese New Year’s Day and the days that follow,
relatives and friends visit one another to renew and
strengthen relationships. Everyone will greet each
other with good wishes and the traditional hand sign
of cupping the left hand over the right. Mandarin
oranges, which symbolise good luck, are exchanged.
Traditionally, firecrackers were lit to usher in the
new year with a loud bang. According to custom, the
last day of the celebrations falls on the 15th day. The
last night is called Yuan Xiao. With the first full moon
of the year, people celebrate with another round of
feasting and get-togethers. In the early days, it was
also a time for young unmarried men and women to
get to meet each other at lantern parades.
Before visiting their relatives and friends, Taoists
make their way to the temple as the new year dawns
to offer their first joss-sticks of respect to the deities.
They also observe some other practices during the
next 14 days of the new year. Prayers are offered
on the 4th day to mark the return of the patron
deities. On the 7th day, Taoist families prepare a
special dish with seven specific types of vegetables
to celebrate the birth of all mankind, as legend has
it that the Goddess Nu Wa created Man on this day.
(In Singapore, this dish has evolved into another
unique dish called yu sheng.) Taoists also celebrate
the birthdays of the Jade Emperor on the 9th day and
the Official of Heaven on the 15th day.