The Year of Pig 2019: Celebration of Chinese New Year
Hola Friends, It’s the New Dawn, as today we embark upon the Chinese New Year, (Spring festival), 2019, the Year of Pig! These New Year festivities are 15 days celebrations, when families gather up, decorate the houses beautifully, ensure the cleanliness all around, sit together for some lavish delicacies and yes exchange gifts! The even of 15th day embarks the celebration of the Lantern Festival. One can easily witness lots of Lanterns glittering the skylines. Apart from China, Chinese New Years is celebrated with all fireworks in countries as Singapore, Malaysia, HongKong, Philippines and at many places around the world.
Chinese Zodiac and Zodiac animals :
When we visited China 4 years back, (I was 5 months Pregnant then), we got to know about their unique Zodiacs. Chinese Zodiacs (which existed even 2000 years ago) are based on Animals, and there are 12 Chinese Zodiac animals representing one year each.
Read about our visit to Jackie Chan Art Gallery, Shanghai
Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig, represent one each year.
So after every 12 years, the cycle repeats. Just like Indians, Zodiacs are an integral part of the Chinese community as every animal, has a certain set of characters. They determine the fortunes, and the major happenings of life, like marriage, career, baby and more.
Well, do you think that your Zodiac animal year would bring you glory? Quite opposite, it is considered that if you are entering the year of your Zodiac animal, then you are at the highest risk of “Demon attention”. Scary..and for this you must wear “Red underwear” to keep yourself protected from the demons.
Make sure you have one in place if you are into your own year:)
2019: The Year of Pig :
2019, is the year of Pig and behind these 12 animals, there is a funny tale in Chinese Mythology. Emperor Jade, once hosted a great Race to select 12 animals as his guards. There are hilarious interpretations of the race and how the animals reached on their spots. Pig reached at the last spot, and has two funny stories around it.
One tale says, that the wolf destroyed his house, so he had to rebuild the same and some says, that he gobbled up lots of food and overslept. Whatever the instance may be, these are perfect fun stories for kids and adults. But, that’s how Pig is the 12th and the last animal of the Zodiac.
Pigs have a great personality and they are bless good fortunes, basis Chinese Mythology. They are not wasteful spenders but are quite enthusiastic and energetic to enjoy their life.
Read out more about the interesting Year of Pig and how the fortunes are concluded.
Special Chinese New Year Food :
Noddles are what defines Chinese food at many places. But, did you know that Chinese New Year noodles are referred to as “ Longevity Noodles” and people go on slurping, as you can neither chew it nor cut it! Quite fun it is!
The New Year’s Eve dinner is quite special and it becomes a family feast. Common dishes that you would find on the table during this eve are Steamed Fish, Spring Rolls (Steamed, Baked, Fried), Noodles, Dumplings, Rice Cakes (Yellow or white sticky rice), Stir Fried Vegetables. Being in Delhi, Here are some food joints for you, to celebrate Chinese New Year with a bang.
Delhi Restaurants serving Special Chinese food for Chinese New Year :
1. The Kylin Experience:
One of our all-time favorite restaurant, it has some lip-smacking delicacies to try this Chinese New Year. The celebrations are on for this whole week, go visit it out and cherish the festivities.
2. EEST- The Westin Gurgaon:
Try out their exceptional culinary indulgences at EEST, to celebrate the year of Pig! Let the indulgences begin from 3rd-7th February 2019 at The Westin Gurgaon.
3. The Hong Kong Club:
Join in their week-long celebrations from 4th – 10th February to indulge in a special Cantonese menu with some live performances. It has been specially curated for the Year of Pig!
4. OKO, The Lalit:
Its time to Tantalise your taste buds with authentic Oriental delicacies. If you love Oriental, then visit The Lalit OKO, to ring in Chinese New Year.
5. The Asian Tuk Tuk:
It’s time to Celebrate the Chinese New year here from 4th -7th Feb with complimentary chocolates & exotic desserts! Wouldn’t you love to go for it?
Decoration: Story behind Chinese Red decors :
To welcome good luck, it is believed to clean the houses properly but, today, on New Year’s day, sweeping the floors and throwing out the garbage is a big NO, as it is said you will throw away the good luck of the New Years! Almost, all of the holiday decorations are bright Red in color, be it a door, or window or interior decorations. Red color represents good fortune and happiness. There is also a gripping story behind the “Red Decor”.
Thousands of years back, there was a ferocious monster called Nian, who used to emerge once in a year to feast on animals and humans. Every year, people used to hide from Nian and would return back, when the monster had left the village. Sooner, people found out that this beast was frightened with the Red color and hence the tradition of Red decorations and banners is quite prevalent, to frighten the evil and welcome prosperity.
(Quite a hit story amongst kids and parents too)
Various decors include Folk craft (paper cut), Spring festival couplet poems ( mostly on windows and door frames), New Year Paintings, lanterns and similar.
Speaking Negative words like Death, pain, sick, poor is prohibited . Using scissors, knives, cutting hair, Glass breakages, is all prohibited, as they give the connotation that these sharp objects will cut away your wealth. Even visiting a doctor and taking medicine is not considered auspicious.
There is a huge list of “NOT- TO-DO” for better fortunes during the Spring Festival celebration.
Though some of these may sound like taboos, over the years they have been symbolized as the ones for the “Happiness” and good wishes in the Chinese community.
Now that you’re aware of the celebrations, bump in the way you wish to and savor at these Restaurants in Delhi offering Special Chinese authentic food.
Happy New Year, Let the Pig’ enjoy!
Much love, Jhilmil
View Comments (14)
This is such an interesting post. I would love to check out the specially curated menus of these restaurants for Chinese New Year.
This post was a fun read, Jhilmil. Pigs are regarded as gluttonous and lazy but they're quite the opposite! The New Year spread sounds like a great family affair too.
Thanks for sharing this informative post. Now we aware of the celebrations of Chinese New Year. This is really interesting post.
I had no knowledge regarding the story behind Chinese new year.. This is really a fun read . Pigs are considered as the laziest animal but they are the opposite..strange.. Loved the post.
Happy Chinese New Year to you too, Jhilmil! It always amazes me how similar Indian and Chinese traditions, and superstitions, are. Going to read my horoscope for the Year of the Pig now.
I had no idea about Chinese new year and the significance of pig. I was quite amazed to know how the Chinese perceive this animal. Great article
Wow I have heard so much about Chinese festival and new year but your article is quiet informative and included with lot of interesting facts keep doing.
This is very interesting n the post is colorful n full of life. Loved the spread, it's super sumptuous.?
It was such a pleasure reading this post. I got to learn so many things about Chinese new year that I never know existed. Very well-written.
Honestly saying this is a topic that I am completely unaware of, I just loved the overall positive vibe I had while reading this blog, Thank you for sharing this amazing and insightful bit!