Chinese New Year

Today is a red-letter day for Chinese communities all over the globe as they celebrate the advent of the Chinese New Year 4706. This new year will be the Year of the Rat. Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Only twelve came: the ox, tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, pig and rat. Buddha named a year after each animal. He announced that the people born in each animal’s year would have some of that animal’s personality. New Year celebrations usually start on the first day of the first Chinese lunar month in the Chinese Lunar Calendar System, and continue until the 15th, when the new moon is brightest. The Chinese will once again be seen wearing red clothes, giving children “luck money” in red envelopes and showering the festivities with firecrackers of different shapes, colors and sizes.

The history and celebration of the Chinese New Year is as old as civilization itself. According to another legend, in ancient China, there exist a man-eating beast called the Nian that dwell in the mountains, which came out every 12 months somewhere close to winter to prey on humans. The people later believed that the Nian was sensitive to loud noises and the color red. So they scared the Nian away with explosions, fireworks and the extensive use of the color red. This eventually led to the first New Year celebrations. Guo Nian, which means to celebrate the new year, literally means the passover of the Nian.

The Chinese civilization is one of the oldest continuous civilizations, replete with tradition and superstition. They have played a major part in world history, having made immense contributions to the development of modern civilization. China is the source of major inventions and discoveries such as the compass, gunpowder, paper and printing. However, despite being one of the oldest civilizations and its many discoveries and inventions, China has previously been considered a third-world country. The country has undergone a long history of primitive society, slavery society, feudal society and semi-feudal semi-colonial society. After the Chinese Civil War, the country went through a series of disruptive socio-economic movements that left much of its education system and economy in ruins. However, under the present socialist society, China has instituted many reforms that enabled it to awaken from its deep slumber to become the economic giant that it is today. It now ranks among the world’s top ten economies and continues to gain foothold in the international market due mainly to its large workforce and cheap labor.

The Chinese’ unique discipline and penchant for hard work set them apart as a race and is worth emulating. Today, as Chinese communities all over the planet celebrate New Year, may all of us learn from the lessons they have taught and use the values they have imparted to steer our country to greatness.  Kung Hei Fat Choi!