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February 2015 Issue 115 February 2015 A NEWSLETTER OF THE ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY 2015: Chinese New Year of the Sheep Q i o n g Wa n g If I have to name one day of an en- sight of a piece of bright red paper on the poems on a background of red paper. Ex- tire year that I wish dearly to be with my door. Suddenly, firecrackers began to ex- pressing sentiments about life’s renewal, family-on-the-other-side-of-the-planet, plode. Terrified, Nian ran away from the the arrival of spring, and wishes for a it’s the Chinese New Year. Also called village. prosperous year ahead, they’re pasted on Spring Festival, it is the most cherished When the villagers returned the fol- both sides of the main door. These Spring and celebrated holiday in China, as fami- lowing day, they were surprised to find Festival couplets originate from ancient lies reunite to ring out the old year and that everything was safe and sound. The “peach wood charms,” which are carved celebrate the coming new year. According old woman told the story of the beggar. or painted charms depicting protective to the Chinese Animal Zodiac, every year Noticing the red paper on the door and door gods. During the Five Dynasty Pe- is associated with one of twelve animals: the remnants of candles, lanterns, and riod (897-979 AD), Emperor Meng Chang Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, firecrackers, the villagers suddenly real- ordered his counselor to engrave an in- Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and ized that Nian feared the color red, bright spirational couplet on a pair of peach Pig. On February 19, 2015 we say farewell light, and loud noises. Rejoicing in relief wood slats to hang on the door of his liv- to a previous year of the Horse, and wel- and excitement, they celebrated. Wearing ing room, starting a custom that gradu- come the beginning of a year of the Sheep. new hats and clothes, they visited family ally evolved into today’s Spring Festival and friends, and congratulated each other couplets. The myth of Chinese New Year on the prospect of a peaceful year ahead. Besides Spring Festival couplets, it is The Chinese New Year celebration Since then, every year on the day that also common for people to make red pa- has a long history, dating back over 4,000 Nian would appear, families adorn their per cutouts and paste them on windows. years. According to ancient legends, it doors with red paper, set off firecrackers, It’s popular to display calligraphic writ- began with a mythical beast called Nian. and light candles and lanterns in their ings of Chinese characters for “spring” Nian was a ferocious monster with a gi- homes. The next morning, which marks or “blessing.” These are sometimes hung gantic horn and sharp teeth. It lived in the start of a new year, people visit their upside down, since in Chinese, the word the deep sea all year long, but once ev- relatives and friends, with festivities last- “invert” is a homonym for “arrive,” thus ery year it would crawl out of the water ing for 15 days. This tradition of gratitude signifying the arrival of spring or bless- to wreak havoc on villages. Every year on and hope has continued till today. ing to the household. this day, villagers, young and old, would flee deep into the mountains to hide from Traditional Chinese New Year decora- Traditional Chinese New Year cuisine Nian’s attack. tions The most important meal during the One year, while the villagers had To celebrate the Chinese New Year, celebration is the New Year’s Eve dinner, started their rush to the mountains, an families decorate their homes with a va- when families get together for a sumptu- old beggar came through the neighbor- riety of red items, as red signifies luck ous banquet. The cuisine varies in differ- hood. An elderly grandmother gave him and good fortune in Chinese culture. ent parts of China. In the north, it is cus- food, and warned him to hide so as not to The most popular ones include lanterns, tomary to eat dumplings (jiao zi), which be harmed by Nian. The beggar laughed Spring Festival couplets and paper cut- bear the shape of ancient Chinese cur- and said that he could chase Nian away. outs. rency gold ingots (yuan bao), thus signi- Surprised and hesitant, the old woman Red lanterns are usually hung around fying fortune. In southern China, people left on her own. the house, especially at the front door, usually eat New Year’s cake made of glu- At midnight, Nian arrived in the where families often put up a pair of large tinous rice flour (nian gao), since it is a village. It was pitch black everywhere, ones. These lanterns burn throughout the homophone for “higher and higher every except for the old woman’s house, which night, protecting the family from the evil year” in Chinese. shone brightly with candle and lantern monster Nian. light. The monster bounded towards the Spring Festival couplets are pairs of Traditional activities of a Chinese house, but stopped short, trembling at the calligraphic writings of ancient Chinese New Year 1 After New Year’s Eve dinner, family nese folk tales, the story of the Sheep is members typically stay up late together similar to that of Prometheus in Greek Editorial Board and chat happily until midnight (shou mythology. Prometheus brought fire to EDITORIAL BOARD sui), waiting for the first bell ring of the mankind, while the sacred Sheep brought New Year. There are also many New seeds of corn and rice and taught man- Jim Keller Year’s Eve TV programs featuring sing- kind the basics of farming. Beloved by Aileen Marshall ing and dancing, entertaining millions of the people, the Sheep made its way into Nicolas Renier families in China and around the world. the Chinese Animal Zodiac, symbolizing Susan Russo On the first day of the New Year, it beauty, calm, sensitivity and creativity. Qiong Wang is customary for younger generations to It is believed that people born in a par- Peng Kate Gao visit the elders, wishing them health and ticular year possess characteristics of the Jason Rothauser longevity. Children and teenagers are giv- animal zodiac associated with that year. en “lucky money” (ya sui qian) packed in Michelangelo, Mark Twain, and Thomas selections.rockefeller.edu red envelops by their parents and grand- Edison were all born in year of the Sheep. [email protected] parents. These are believed to bring good luck and to ward off evil spirits. People Chinese New Year greetings Gong xi fa cai: Wish you to make great also visit relatives and friends during the If you want to wish colleagues or fortune. New Year celebration period. For these friends a happy Chinese New Year during He jia huan le: Wish happiness for visits snacks are often served; the most the New Year period (Feb 19-Mar 6, 2015), your whole family. popular ones include sunflower seeds, try greeting them in authentic Chinese, The year of the Sheep is right around peanuts, tangerines and candy. and you will likely spark a big smile on the corner, so wan shi ru yi everyone!◉ their faces: Year of the Sheep Guo nian hao: Happy New Year. According to the Chinese Animal Zo- Wan shi ru yi: Wish you every happi- diac, 2015 is a year of the Sheep. In Chi- ness and prosperity. For Your Consideration – And They’re Off! Edition Ji m K e l l e r I maintain that the Oscar race can be dio: Sony Pictures Classics): FYC: In this tale of redemption and self- likened to a horserace where each studio FYC: Carell’s campaign can best be reinvention, Keaton plays an also-ran who bets on its thoroughbreds and hopes that described as “steady as she goes.” Follow- once portrayed an iconic superhero, and they can at least place at the end. The studio ing rave reviews for his portrayal of para- battles his ego as he mounts a Broadway is the owner, the public relations depart- noid schizophrenic murderer and heir to play and works to recover his family and ment is the jockey, and the horse is the actor the du Pont chemical fortune, John Eleu- career. Not only is the irony that Keaton or film in the analogy. Here we thrust those thère du Pont at the Cannes Film Festival played Batman twice not lost, but one could roles I’ve discussed in the three-part Ones last May, it was soon announced that he argue his performance is a prime example to Watch edition under a microscope to would campaign as lead actor. This raised of imitation of life. separate the nominees from the contenders some eyebrows given that Channing Ta- While the race is decidedly between and to identify the power players for each tum and Mark Ruffalo who play Olympic Keaton and Eddie Redmayne for the win, studio. I’ve also included my rankings as wrestling brothers and victims Mark and it’s Keaton who won the Golden Globe, the they stood on Oscar nominations eve—the David Schultz in the drama based on Mark National Board of Review (NBR), and two number in parentheses indicates my place- Schultz’s autobiography are co-leads while awards from the Broadcast Film Critics As- ment following nominations. I chose the Carell’s is a supporting role. But Oscar vot- sociation (BFCA): Best Actor and Best Ac- maximum ten nominees for Best Picture ers went along and placed him in the lead tor in a Comedy Movie.
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