34 the Star Friday 27 January 2017 35

DURING , some Chinese families still follow traditional beliefs and observe taboos. These Each of the 12 Creative, resourceful and The Rabbit is clever, gentle, 3 hardworking, the Rat can be kind and patient. When the The Goat is quiet, timid, cultural practices are observed to avert misfortune counted on to get the job going gets tough, he will gentle and obedient. It is easy and bad luck. In modern times, however, many beliefs signs has different to work with him as he will On the eve of Chinese New done. persevere. have been discarded as the younger generations characteristics. He is also quick to seize The Rabbit is popular listen and follow instructions. Year, families stay up late to opportunities and being because he is considerate But he can be pessimistic. consider customs outdated or plain old superstitions. welcome the Lunar New Year. The Goat is vain and loves decisive helps. and ever willing to help For example, after the winter solstice (approximately Firecrackers and fireworks are Quick-witted and intuitive, people. flattery. He also has difficulty used to drive away inauspi- he adapts easily to change But being overcautious, he expressing his feelings. Dec 21), the home is spruced up to prepare for the cious spirits and scare off and can wrangle his way out tends to miss out on “nian”, the New Year Monster. new year. Spring cleaning takes place on the 24th day 4 Don’t allow anyone to of harm’s way. opportunities. of the 12th lunar month. It is believed the cleaning rids A “red carpet” of burnt take anything out of firecrackers symbolises good the home of the preceding year’s bad luck, and your pocket, purse or luck. wallet, as it portends prepares it for good luck. On this day too, all house- loss of money hold gods are also given a send-off; they return on the throughout the year. fourth day of Chinese New Year.

Ox The Monkey is smart and The Ox is opinionated and The Dragon is hot tempered 1 Nearer to the festive thinks highly of himself. but he is intelligent and energetic. Resourceful, he can season, doors and turn a bad situation around. He may not see eye to eye hardworking. windows will be decorat- All outstand- 6 He is gentle, honest and 5 with people and lacks A risk taker, the ambitious ed with red paper cutouts sociable. Hot-headed at ing debts No needlework communication skills. If you Dragon will go far once he and couplets with have to be can accept him as he is, he is sets his mind on his goals. times, he has a jealous and as it depletes suspicious streak. auspicious words settled before wealth. your loyal friend. Trust him to work miracles. printed on them, new year’s The Ox is diligent, dependa- such as good eve (Dec 31). ble and determined. He also fortune, has the drive and will strive to happiness, execute his plans. One must try and wealth and 7 2 avoid uttering longevity. No fighting, quarrelling or inauspicious The Snake is intuitive and crying is recommended. words such as intelligent. He loves to act on The Dog is faithful, trustwor- “break”, “die” his own and will strive hard to and “poor”. succeed in all endeavours. thy and hardworking. He is a great thinker. His kindness knows no The Tiger is brave, confident He does not make friends bounds. He would go the and authoritative. A born easily but he will treasure and extra mile to help others. He leader, he likes to take charge protect his friends. is resilient and can weather and dislikes taking orders. He the tough times. He is sociable and liked by is respected for his courage No laundry on the and firm stand. those around him. 8 first two days as it You need to be patient and is the birthday of understanding towards the the God. 12 Don’t lend money or you’’ll suffer domineering Tiger. losses. No borrowing money, If you can tolerate him, you either, as it’ll lead to more debts all will find him to be fun and year. loving. He is adventurous and The Horse is cheerful and New year cakes (nian gao in Manda- loves challenges. talkative. Witty, confident and 10 rin), or sticky glutinous rice cakes, are The Pig is tolerant, gentle, hardworking are also his placed at the altar to usher in a good honest, quiet and warm. No sweeping virtues. 9 year. These cakes represent the 13 Don’t wash your The Horse has passion and Generous and forgiving, he of floors is hair on the first The Rooster is observant, confident and outspoken. makes friends easily. promise of a better year. 11 zeal and enjoys independ- done on the day or you’ll Born with good looks, the Rooster loves attention The Pig is calm and has a ence and freedom. first day of One must try not to wash away good and enjoys dressing up. great sense of responsibility. However, the Horse is a the Chinese break or chip anything luck! He dares to be different and can be extravagant. spendhrift and is not good in He is also altruistic. New Year, to avoid having a bad He is easily excitable but his interest wanes easily. saving money. However, the naive Pig can lest luck is start to the new year. sometimes be easily fooled. swept away.

15 days of CNY Day 1 Day 2 Day 4 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 15 The Chinese pray to The Chinese welcome back the From the sixth to the 10th day, the At midnight (the This day is also From this day This is the last day of Chinese New their ancestors and also Kitchen God, the God of Chinese can freely visit their relatives morning of the ninth celebrated as the onwards, Year. On Chap Goh Meh ( for household gods. Fortune and other gods. A feast and friends. There are also people who day), the Hokkiens Hokkien New Year. friends and 15th night), Young unmarried Married women visit is prepared with an abundance visit temples on this day. pray to the Jade relatives are women throw mandarin oranges their parents. of fruits, while incense and Emperor or Heavenly invited to more (with their contact numbers written Early in candles are burnt. God as it is his birthday feasting. on them) into a river or pond in the the morning, Day 3 to give thanks to him Businessmen hopes of finding a good husband. The Chinese celebrate many Chinese Some Chinese regard Day 5 for protecting them. invite their families worship the the Lunar New Year, or this day as chi kou ri (day The sugarcane is a friends and gods to pray for a year of It is the birthday of the of red mouth). To avoid reminder of how the associates to Spring Festival, with 15 abundance. Every one dresses in God of Wealth. A feast is quarrels and fights, they Hokkien people were thank them for new clothes and greets their elders. held for this deity to gain days of feasting and think it is best not to visit The birthday of all human beings; yan saved from their their support. Red is auspicious and colour his blessings. It is visiting friends and others. However, the yat in . Traditionally, this is enemies when they symbolises good fortune and deemed auspicious to majority of Chinese still the day to gather for a feast. A sought refuge in a relatives, and giving prosperity. The elders give children start work again after the consider it a festive day must-have dish is raw fish salad, or yee sugarcane plantation and unmarried family members red festive holidays. thanks to the gods. to visit or welcome sang a symbol of abundance, prosperity for nine days and packets or ang pow. visitors. and vigour. escaped a massacre. Stories by MAJORIE CHIEW ©The Star Graphic by Mohd Izudin, Foo Chern Hwan, Zulhaimi Baharuddin