Wow, good time really flies!! With lots of celebrations going around, we are already at 9th day of the Chinese New Year (18th Feb). Traditionally for the Chinese dialect group of the Hokkiens, it is the birthday of the Jade Emperor. Hence, it is a special day that many elaborated offerings such as sugar cane, roast pig, flowers, incense and many others are presented to the Jade Emperor.
This morning as I was looking out the window, it is a sunny day with clear sky in Hong Kong while the air remains crisp and cold. Fantastic! This meant the year will be one with good profits for those who are in businesses around here. I was worrying that it might have patches of rain as suggested by the local observatory as Chinese beliefs say that gloomy skies with rain today may suggest some potential losses in the year!
Back to the main topic, very soon we will be heading towards the finale of the celebrations of the Chinese New Year (24th Feb Sunday) which is also known as the “Yuan Xiao” 元宵节. This is also a Chinese version of the Valentine’s day where traditionally, single ladies will make full use of this day to toss mandarin oranges that have been pried into with a slip of paper depicting the characteristics of their ideal husband into the river!! hhhmm… this is a little tricky these days as being environmentally friendly, we wouldn’t wanna risk polluting or disturbing the eco-system. In some places, wish-bearing lanterns are lit and set to the sky, in hope that the Heavens will aid the singles in their search of love.
Thus to mark the end of the celebration, a sweet dessert known as the “Tang Yuan” 汤圆will be served. It is a bowl of sweet soup with rice balls that are filled with sweet fillings such as sesame, peanuts, lotus seeds, red bean paste. This symbolizes unity and may
everyone stay together harmoniously.
So for the singles, a modern twist tip to this day…. While looking at the moon, grab your mandarin
oranges with the list of attributes of your ideal partner and visualize that you have thrown them into the river!!
Wishing all a fabulous Year of the Water Snake!
Good Luck Every Day 