Lunar New Year
image: hong bao (good luck envelope)
By Grace Leong-Vien 4E
My family goes to Chinatown and watches the parade. We give each other Hong bao which is red envelopes with money inside, this is for good luck. We say thank you in Cantonese, Do1 Ze6 (多謝).
Chinese New Year goes for 15 days. It is the celebration of when the Winter spirit going away and Spring is starting. To scare away the Winter spirit we bang drums and cymbals and have dances with Lions and Dragons. Penelope from 4E (pictured) made the Dragon for her family's dance to scare away the Winter spirit.
Penelope, 4E dancing in her hand made lion costume
Penelope, 4E dancing in her hand made lion costume
We have a feast, with special types of food. We enjoy long noodles, so that you have a long life and dumplings represent gold nuggets and wealth. Before we eat it, we pray to the gods.
I handed out Good Luck lollies to my classmates, so we make sure they have a lucky year. Red is lucky and Gold is for prosperity. Happy “New Year - Xīnnián kuàilè" (新年快乐)