Good morning Readers and happy Tuesday, our new years here in the states has came and went. Nothing new there, but as I sat with coffee in hand I wondered what Chinese zodiac animal it was this year. So I did some research and had to stop myself, I never ONCE wondered if the Chinese New year was the same as it is here. Like, how arrogant of an asshole am I to think theirs would be the same as ours? So, pivoting from looking up what animal it is this year(still did by the way) and down the rabbit hole of what a Chinese New Year entails; let’s brew about it.
The Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival, is lunar calendar based unlike the US where its based off a Gregorian solar cycle. Because the Chinese New Year is lunar it fluctuates yearly this year it starts on the 29th of January and ends February 12th. New years for them is about rebirth, family get-togethers, and the observance of customs that have been carried down through the ages. Because of the festival’s rich cultural significance and symbolic meaning, it’s not just a time for celebration but also for introspection, thankfulness, and optimism for the coming year, kind of like Christmas for the US, mostly for the new year here it’s about fireworks and drinking adult beverages. I feel I’m more on team Chinese New Year.
Like I mentioned earlier I was looking to see what zodiac animal it was this year there are 12 animals- tiger, rat, ox, dragon, rabbit, horse, goat, roost, pig, dog, monkey and snake. Also, each year what ever animal it is there is an element associated with it(Earth, Fire, Metal, Water or Wood); making it a 60 year cycle! Now, this I didn’t know, which has me wondering WHAT my animal’s element is, I’ll have a laugh if I end up as an Aquarius(air) Tiger(land mammal) with an element of water….my make up will be most of the elements or half..at least.
I mentioned earlier that it’s about family and tradition so with family comes food. It’s not just any food like some random pie picked up on your way to your parents house. Each dish has a meaning behind it such as fish is meant to be for luck or wealth, a sticky rice cake called nian gao represents growth in life and career. Another dish that occurs on the last day of the Chinese New Year is a must have, it’s called tangyuan which is a sweet rice ball with a sweeten filling inside, this one represents togetherness and harmony within the family. I’m so going to try the last 2, I MIGHT do a video showing me making either one, but I gotta see the difficulty level.
The last day of the Chinese New year is the Lantern Festival, which occurs on the fifteenth day of the new year. Amongst all the good food, spending time with family, warding off evil, trying to manifest good luck and fortune there are colors lanterns that people bring. They also solve lantern puzzles and take in traditional performances, such as dragon and lion dances. Lanterns are released into the sky or float on rivers to mark the evening, signifying the letting go of old problems and the arrival of a new beginning. It sounds so magical I’d love to travel and see this amazing tradition. So with stars in our eyes, I bring us to a close.
As Always Keep On Brewin!