Hongkongers speak how they keep Chinese New Year traditions alive
The Chinese New Year is an exciting time for many people all over the world as it carries the promise of peace, prosperity, health, and happiness. But you can’t leave attracting good fortune to chance! Some cherished Chinese New Year traditions include a visit to the convivial Chinese New Year Fair at Victoria Park and bringing home a colorful windmill from Che Kung Temple or Wong Tai Sin Temple for year-round prosperity.
To maximise your blessings, take a cue from Hongkongers and follow these fortuitous Chinese New Year customs and traditions. From special foodie dishes to decor rituals, clothing, and more, here’s how six locals are staying lucky over the Chinese New Year.
Shrimp for a special dinner with the entire family
Growing up, the number one custom that we followed every year was to have a special dinner with the whole family. A tradition we had whilst growing up was that my mom would always include shrimp into this dinner. It wasn’t until I moved to Hong Kong that I learned that the reason people ate shrimp for the Chinese New Year dinner was because shrimp (“ha”) sounded like laughter, so it is a good omen for happiness.
One thing that I started doing since coming to Hong Kong is to buy a new top and underwear for the first day of the Chinese New Year, both preferably in red. Finally, if I’m out with my grandma or aunties and they see a big plum blossom tree in full bloom, they’ll make me run around it three times clockwise in order to activate my romance luck for the year!
Bamboo stalks, water fairy flowers and red lanterns
Every year, we visit the Mong Kok Flower Market to get bamboo stalks and water fairy flowers, as they all signify health, wealth, and family unity. It is also traditional to decorate the home with red lanterns in order to attract “lucky” energy!
Raised in a family where Chinese fortune-telling was very much part of our tradition, I would always keep an eye out for what the Chinese Zodiac says is likely to come our way in the year ahead.
No sweeping any fallen blossom
Chinese New Year is one of our favourite times of the year and we observe it in many ways. We do lots of things that my grandmother used to do, like not sweeping away any fallen blossom from the tree. I always go overboard with decorations because they are just so beautiful. My favorite is a huge vase of silky pussy willow and golden yellow forsythia which we hang our decorations on as it always looks glorious. We also have a lovely orange tree on our doorstep, as orange and kumquat trees are said to bring wealth and prosperity. I love peeling and drying the skins afterwards!
These Chinese New Year traditions are very reassuring and grounding, offering a sense of continuity in a time of so much change.
Preparing lucky Chinese New Year recipes
Before Chinese New Year, I would clean every corner of the house as well as all the kitchenware. It’s important to welcome the new year looking clean and fresh. I have also always avoided having a haircut or buying shoes during the holidays as they’re said to bring bad luck for the year.
Food-wise, a classic “lucky” Chinese New Year recipe that I ask my team to prepare on the first day of the holidays is Egg Noodles with Crabmeat and Crab Roes. This dish is known for symbolising auspiciousness. Another favorite festive dish of mine is Braised Vegetables with Red Fermented Bean Curd which stems from a Buddhist tradition which believes that vegetables purify and cleanse the body and soul.
Wearing red and giving lai see
Chinese New Year is one of my favorite holidays as it is an opportunity to really reflect and appreciate how lucky we are to be in the company of our loved ones. Before the holiday, we usually go to the bank to get crisp new bills to be put into red packets (Lai See). Lai See is typically given out to family, friends, children, and employees over the holidays, and is a nice way of bestowing luck, happiness, and fortune on those who are younger or more junior to you.
Then on the first day of Chinese New Year, we typically dress in various shades of the lucky colour red. It is believed that red can scare away spirits of bad fortune. I love Hong Kong around Chinese New Year as the city really comes alive—you can feel it in your bones! Apart from all the beautiful decorations, vibrant lion dances, and the lovely flower markets, with everyone wishing each other well, you can feel the happiness and positivity around!
Deep cleaning the house
Every year just before the Chinese New Year, we do a deep cleanse of the house, purging our home of items that we no longer use or need and donate them to a charity. We deep clean the house physically and energetically to transmute any old energies from the previous year. Just make sure to get it all done before the first day of the holidays, as cleaning during the actual new year is said to bring bad luck! This sets the stage for us to welcome in any new year energies with abundance and clarity.
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