The year of the Boar, the last in a twelve-year cycle, is believed to be a lucky time to give birth to babies. Some believe that the offspring can bring good fortune to the family. The traditional reasoning indeed shows a lot about how family values are treasured and emphasised. And in fact, as far as I know, in Taiwan, such family values are still pretty much maintained! People would take time off and go back to their home towns for a few days or at least for the New Year's Eve, and this usually means a family reunion, like Christmas here. It is especially during this time I miss home the most. Two years in a row I celebrated Chinese New Year here in York with my international friends and friends from Taiwan. I personally saw the celebrations as an opportunity to promote our traditional cultures to our international friends. I felt warm at heart that the friends showed not only interest in my culture, but they were willing to keep me company on the occasion when I missed my family the most. It is always a bonus that our friends appreciate what we treasure.听听听 |
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People here start preparing for Christmas by shopping, at home we start with a plan to tidy up the mess, in the living environment and in our personal matters. A good start is what everyone hopes for, so by the end of the year it is important to finish up with old business, so that new things have some space to exist! Then of course we go shopping too, for gifts and decorations, and as we move towards New Year's Eve, markets sell the ingredients for making special festive cuisines and New Year's cakes. When I was little, these would only be on sale during this time of the year! | "In the old days, really conservative families only allowed their daughters-in-law to visit their parents on the day after new year's day" | |
This year will be a special one for my family, because my brother got married in December. My sister-in-law will bring in traditions from her parents' family, and on the day after the New Year's Day she and my brother will go to visit her parents in another town. In the old days, really conservative families only allowed their daughters-in-law to visit their parents on the day after New Year's Day. This is of course not the case any more - daughters return home whenever they wish, but the tradition of the second day of the New Year is still maintained.听 I like the explanation of New Year given by one writer, that it is "about beginnings, and the only way to begin a new year is with optimism." New Year according to the lunar calendar is also known as Spring Festival. No matter what you do to celebrate it is the spirit that truly matters! The dark days will be left behind. New hopes will emerge, and there is every reason to feel cheerful! Wanyu Lin | 
