Xīn nián kuài lè – that’s Happy New Year in Mandarin.
And so we begin the Year of the Ox which symbolises strength and determination.
Well, we are off to a pretty good start. We received a Fortnum & Mason Chinese New Year “Fu Dai” hamper – lots of good stuff in there for Mum. Nothing for us though.
Every new year means wiping clean the slate of the past 12 months and we look forward to a new start with hope and positivity. And wishing all who celebrate Gōng xǐ fā cái …
May’s comment: The other commonly heard new year greeting, Gōng xǐ fā cái means “Wishing you Prosperity” – desperately needed. Hope this vaccine will free us to start on the road to better days.
The Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, begins the day after the first new moon between the end of January and end of February. This year it falls on the 12th February. The celebrations officially begin on the evening preceding the first day of the new year. And it carries on till the fifteenth day – which happens to be the 26th and it’s Darcy’s birthday! Woohoo! More February celebrations.
Hard to believe it was a year ago at the time of the last Chinese New Year when Wuhan and a lot of China went into lockdown. Whilst in London we still gathered with those who celebrated the Lunar New Year.
This year we’re celebrating Family dinner at home and thanks to Deliveroo we will be having Peking Duck from Zheng Chelsea and pineapple tarts from Yauatcha.
The Taiwanese pineapple pastry holds the key to prosperity and good fortune, and the secret is in its name. In Hokkien, the word for pineapple is pronounced in a similar way to the phrase “Prosperity has arrived”, and because of this the pineapple has become a Feng Shui symbol of wealth, fortune and prosperity. Yauatcha Patisserie
Let’s just hope the Year of the Ox brings us strength for this coming year and better fortunes for all.
One Response
Happy lunar New year to you all. Victoria Australia has just gone back in to 5 day lockdown. No celebrations allowed. So lovely to see you both dressed for a celebration.