First Chinese New Year in Asia and Singapore was the place for this year of the Tiger 2022. I’ve never been a follower of horoscopes back in America, but you can’t learn about the Chinese culture without understanding the Chinese horoscope.
It comes from an ancient tale of a race where several animals where involved and these animals are the ones that make the Chinese horoscope. Every animal has certain characteristics that distinguish them from others and you have one animal which relates to the people that were born on certain year, similar to how those relate to the month that were born on the western horoscope. Because in China they use a different way to identify your horoscope animal, it is meant to be a whole year dedicated to every animal. So, 2022 is the tiger year which also happens to be my Chinese animal.
Usually in China they have big family reunions and celebrations around this time of the year. While the western way to celebrate a new year is just a one night dinner and party with a countdown, in China there are many customs and it actually takes them a couple of weeks off work during Chinese New Year (春节 – chun jie). In Singapore, about 75% of the population is Chinese descendant so this is a big thing. Although, instead of a couple of weeks of official holidays here it is only for two days.
It might not be exactly the same as being in China around the Lunar New Year, but you can still see many decorations in red, big and beautiful lanterns on the streets, the red envelope tradition (红包 – hong bao), queues for getting new bills for the red envelopes, lots of fried snacks, tangerine presents, tangerine trees, people wearing red clothing, etc…
This year with the pandemic it behaved a bit differently than it used to be before. For example, the chinatown streets had a lot more businesses open during the festivities while usually all these businesses would close and take the time off. Still, it is way more difficult to find local restaurants open to the public during the Chinese Year as they are celebrating with family at home.
One particular tradition from Singaporeans is the Yu Sheng (鱼生). Usually at home or at a restaurant the family would make/buy a big platter with several Chinese salad ingredients and some fish meat, then while speaking out good fortune phrases in Chinese Mandarin everyone around the table will toss all the ingredients in the center platter using chopsticks to get it all mixed. When everyone’s turn is over and the salad is finally mixed, then you can eat it. So, what is in the salad? Here is a list of common ingredients: white radish, cucumber, carrot, ginger, capsicum roasted peanuts, fish meat, cinnamon, sesame seeds, five spice powder （五香粉), crackers, lemon juice, sesame oil, peanut oil.
Chinese New Year is a very family focused time, so in order to feel the complete ambience you might need to be invited to a family dinner by a Chinese fried. But, if you are not that lucky there is still plenty of decorations and places to visit to feel the festive air from everyone. Chinatown is definitely a place to go as there are many decorations on the streets and near the Buddha Temple with red lanterns, sculptures about the animal of the present year, big lanterns to take photos with, Chinese snacks and many many red decorations to wish prosperity and good luck.
This is a happy time, wish everyone a happy New Year ! (新年快乐 – xin nian kuai le).
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