The streets are lit up with bright and festive lights. The shops and walkways too, are decorated with red lanterns, door couplets and lovely monkeys hanging around. The song of “Gong Xi Fa Cai” plays repeatedly for days. Yes, you have guessed it! It is the Chinese New Year! This is a time when people get to reunite with their families and friends, let go of the past, and most importantly, embrace the New Year with joy. Chinese New Year is celebrated on the first day of the Lunar New Year. It is typically celebrated in the month of February. Instead of unwrapping all the presents, people peek into their red envelopes and see how much money they have received. One of the most amazing and jubilant holidays, Chinese New Year is my type of Christmas!
The Chinese New Year is a worldwide celebration as people of various backgrounds, cultures and religious traditions celebrate it. While my friends and classmates usually spend their New Year holidays in Taiwan, I mostly spend mine in Singapore. My father’s side of the family lives in Singapore, so we go back home and catch up with our “Tay” relatives. With over 10 years of experiences, I have come to notice some similarities and differences in the way people celebrate the Lunar New Year in Taiwan and Singapore. Naturally, food is the most crucial component in this festivity. Like Taiwanese, Singaporeans hold a reunion dinner with their family members on New Year’s Eve. Although the main dishes are all composed of ingredients like whole fish, chicken, and steamy hot pot, Singaporeans prefer strongly flavored foods such as fish head curry, and chilli crab as Singapore is made up of a fusion of food cultures around the world. Therefore, the Singaporean taste composes of spicy and heavy-flavored food, compared to Taiwan’s lighter flavors and more sophisticated tastes. Another major difference is Yusheng (魚生), which is only served in Singapore. It is a salad dish that normally consists of slices of carrots, green radish, crackers, red pickled ginger, and raw fish, topped with fragrant dressing made of sesame oil, plum sauce and more. This is a traditional Singaporean dish that people munch during the Chinese New Year because it symbolizes wealth and good fortune. Before savoring it all, each family member and relatives say auspicious phrases while “tossing” up the ingredients together. The dish is then served as an appetizer which supposedly adds good wishes for the New Year.
Indeed, Chinese New Year is a time for families to get together and enjoy the holidays. While both Taiwanese and Singaporeans meet up with relatives and friends, Singaporeans actually pay visits to homes and bring Mandarin oranges along, because the fruit sounds like the Chinese words for luck and prosperity. Therefore, they exchange pairs of oranges to one another as a gesture of good and respect during the visits. This is the custom that I have grown up following. I enjoy the process of exchanging oranges because I know my relatives and friends genuinely care for me and want the best for me. I believe that not only does this custom add to the whole festival atmosphere of Chinese New Year, but also builds stronger ties among family, relatives, and friends.
The growing excitement that comes along with anticipating the New Year is one that I will never get tired of. Chinese New Year celebration is not just about the red envelopes you receive or the delicacy you devour. The real celebration takes place in the family where you get to enjoy every moment with them, bond closely and laugh at the little things in life. These are the memories that we should all cherish and take with us forever. As a Singaporean, I am able to experience diverse Chinese New Year cultures and rituals. I am one lucky fellow. I get the best of both worlds!
