Its been quite some time since I last blogged. Well, I was in good shape today so I decided to pen something.
Tommorow, 23 January 2012, we would be celebrating the Chinese new year. This year is considered the year of the Water Dragon. It is said that this year is also going to be challenging year for everyone.
Existing literature explains that the CNY (Chinese New Year) is celebrated to welcome the changing of the winter season to that of the spring season in China. Though this is a valid reason, why then is it called The Lunar Chinese New Year?
Well, actually the CNY is celebrated on the New Moon (Amavasai) on the 1st day of the Chinese Calender. As with Hindu traditional custom, the new moon day is used to honour ancestors. Isn't this a great coincidence? Both Chinese and Indian custom honour the ancestors during the new moon?
Well if you ask me, there is only 1 answer to this. Ancient India and ancient China has always had a great relationship. Indian sages such as Bhogar and Bodhinatha had travelled to China to spread their teachings. China too had sent envoys such as Cheng Ho to India to learn of its cultures. Thus an exchange of ideas and practices would cannot be ruled out.
While the CNY is celebrated on the new moon and the 1st waxing moon, the Chap Goh Meh or lantern festival is celebrated on the 14th day, which is the full moon. Thus, the lantern actually is a symbol of the full moon signifying the importance of the full moon.b\
Therefore, the CNY is actually a spiritual period for the chinese, starting from the new moon till the full moon. Ancestor worship, family reunion, and prayers are all part and parcel of the CNY.
Therefore, contrary to popular believe the Chinese also believe on the lunar and planetary effects on the human mind and have devoted a period of time for contemplation.
Well, thats my short thought on the CNY. Before I end this blog post, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy chinese new year 2012, may everyone be blessed with an abundance of good health, great wealth and infinite happiness.
Gong Xi Fa Chai...
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