Monday, January 26, 2009

GONG XI FA CAI 恭喜发财

Gong Xi, Gong Xi, Gong Xi Fa Cai !!!

According to the Chinese Zodiac Calendar, this year is the year of the Ox. The Ox years were 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997 and this year 2009.
People born in the Year of the Ox are patient, speak little, and inspire confidence in others. They prefer to work alone - need peace and quiet to work through their ideas. They tend to get angry easily. They have fierce tempers and although they speak little, when they do they are quite eloquent. Ox people are mentally and physically alert. Generally easy-going, they can be remarkably stubborn, and they hate to fail or be opposed. They are most compatible with Snake, Rooster, and Rat people.

As the red colour is the symbol of good luck, we decorated the "red" here and there in and around our house to welcome the year of the Ox.


"Red" in the plants






Red latterns near the entrance

"Red" in a corner
Peace in the house
Mandarin oranges and pomeloes are especially popular for Chinese New Year. They are the symbolic fruits which are supposed to bring good luck and good health to the family. The favourate colour this year - yellow Home made Chinese New Year snacks/cookies for visitors

24 hours before the New year Eve, varoius streets in the city were coverted to night markets for New year shopping.The "Foh San" and the "Lido" markets.
"Nian Gao" the traditional Chinese New year's cake is a must to eat during the New year for good luck. They were easily available in the night markets .

The Pomeloes are in demand for this occasion.

Many believe that taking a hot bath infused with the Pomelo leaves on the eve of Chinese New Year can cleanse away the misfortune of the past year.









The famous Gaya Street night marketA Chinese Sensei showing off his skill in the art of writing out Chinese New Year greeting scrolls in one of the markets.
I hope the Ox is strong enough to protect us from the economy downturn and maintain peace in 2009.

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