Lunar Chinese New Year – 2016
Are you ready for the Chinese Lunar New Year? February 8 begins the 15-day celebration of the Yang Fire Monkey – Bing Shen, and all the promise he holds for the coming year. Here are a few tips to help you transition gently into the new year.
On (or before) New Year’s Eve (February 7)
- Sweep the entire house, starting at the front door and ending at the back door
- Get a haircut
- Prepare a reunion gathering and meal that continues through the midnight hour, bridging the old year and the new
- Replace your front door mat to avoid dragging remnants of last year’s energy into your home in the new year
- At midnight, open all windows and doors to allow old energy to escape and new energy to enter – smudge or ring bells to clear
- Light firecrackers or display decorative Chinese firecrackers to frighten away unfriendly spirits and introduce yang energy to your celebration
- Set your intentions for the New Year
- Fill your home with fresh flowers to welcome spring
On New Year’s Day (February 8)
- Put all brooms, knives and scissors away so as not to cut into or sweep away good fortune for the year
- Welcome deities from heaven and earth to guide you through the year
- Honor and pay respect to elders
- Wear new clothing to put your best foot forward in the new year
- Do not lend or borrow money on this day
- Do not cry so as not to bring sadness with you into the new year
- Decorate with and wear the color red – the color for joy and virtue
- Distribute red envelopes containing money (ang pow) to children
- Display fresh flowers (especially peach and plum blossoms) for abundance
- Place a bowl of oranges out in your kitchen
- When leaving your home, the words exchanged with the first person you meet influences the luck of the year so make them positive!
Wishing you peace, health and prosperity!
Diane Gallin, CFSC
Wind and Water Feng Shui Consulting