A Chinese New Year Tale

This is my third Spring Festival in Beijing. I have attended New Year celebrations in various places and although fireworks always make an appearance; nothing can compare to the sheer volume and intensity of the pyrotechnics found in Beijing.

I’ve been lucky enough to never experience a warzone firsthand. However, the cacophony of rockets, firecrackers and other explosives echoing around the city for days, can sometimes give the impression that the city is under siege.

There is a traditional story, which explains the reasons for the excessive use of fire-flowers illuminating the sky and the barrage of booms that reverberate around the entire city. I have condensed and illustrated the story below:

Considering the endless rumbles I have heard so far, I think it’s safe to say that Nian will not be making a return appearance any time soon.

To the 3 questions I always seem to ask myself (yet already know the answer to) during Chinese New Year:

1) Should I eat more?
Yes. It's an important holiday. For goodness sake, sneak another dumpling - they're good luck so it would be silly not to!

2) Am I going to find a seat on the subway today?
YES!! With many people returning to their hometowns, Beijing encounters a mass exodus that provides those who stay in the city, with a convenient and comparatively quiet public transport service.

Seats?!!!

3) Hasn’t everyone used all of the fireworks yet?
No. The answer is always no. Even when you just want a quiet nap, there will be some onomatopoeic obscenity just waiting to blast in your ear.

Last night, I went to 后海 (Hòuhǎi) with my friend Liz. She has, what can only be described as a firework fetish and came bearing about one billion boxes of the bangers (only a slight exaggeration). Houhai was a beautiful setting to watch the fireworks light up the night sky while getting reflected in the lake.

Luckily, Liz was uber-prepared and brought masks along for both of us. The pollution levels had been low all day, but she knew that the sky would soon be inundated with gunpowder and smoke.

It was a fun evening and has certainly confirmed my fondness for one of China’s most important festivals of the year.

Bạn có xem màn trình diễn pháo hoa chào đón năm mới không? Ở Bắc Kinh, pháo hoa nổ tung thành một đám mưa tia lửa. Tối qua tôi đã ăn phở bò và nem rán…Chẹp chẹp~
Tôi đã học được Lễ Hội Mùa Xuân được tổ chức để xua đuổi tất cả linh hồn quỷ dữ của mùa đông...Chúc bạn một Năm Mới Thật Hạnh Phúc!

Year Of The Yang

The Year Of The Horse has reached the final furlong. The preparations for Lunar New Year have been audibly and visibly evident for weeks already: shops blasting out "catchy" New Year-themed music, fireworks stalls popping up and an abundance of festive decorations on display.

I plan to enjoy the excitement of the New Year celebrations, however, I have a deep concern with regard to the next Chinese Zodiac Year. Just by looking at the paper cuttings and cuddly toys on offer, it's clear to me that there is confusion about which animal is representing the next zodiac year. Messages sent from Chinese colleagues and friends are further evidence to the inconsistencies of which cloven-hoofed chum is in charge.

The problem stems from the translation of “羊” (yáng). This character is used in the Chinese words for sheep “绵羊”(miányáng), goat “山羊” (shānyáng) and ram “公羊” (gōngyáng).

It doesn’t seem to bother people that any of these three fleecy friends can be used. I just don’t want to have the wool pulled over my eyes. I would like to have some clarity about which of these shaggy associates I can consider my mascot for the year.

The horse has basked in the glory for an entire year without a zebra, donkey or mule getting a look-in. Perhaps it’s my Welsh blood causing some bias and wanting the humble sheep to have it’s time in the limelight; without having to share it with a goat, ram or being served on a plate with mint sauce and gravy.

Having conducted a little online research, it seems that I am not alone in the quest for a definitive answer to the question: 2015 is the year of the…?

In reality, it doesn’t bother me too much. On the eve of the Lunar New Year, I am feeling grateful that the pollution is low and the sun is shining here in Beijing. I will just follow the herd and join in with the festivities without fretting too much. This evening I will flock to Houhai and enjoy the fireworks and celebrations. Although, I am not sure if I will buy any souvenirs on offer tonight – I don’t want to get fleeced!

Happy New Year everyone!

Tết sắp đến rồi. Tôi có tám ngày nghỉ lễ. Tôi ăn Tết ở Bắc Kinh 2 lần rồi. Cao điểm của buổi lễ mừng năm mới thường là cuộc trình diễn pháo hoa. Bạn nghĩ gì về ngày Tết ở Việt Nam? Chúng Mừng Năm Mới và vạn sự tốt lành!