Kung Hei Fat Choi (gōng xǐ fā cái) is traditional Chinese New Year greeting meaning: Congratulations and best wishes for a prosperous New Year!

Chinese all around the world are celebrating “Chinese New Year” today. It is the most important traditional festival for Chinese. It’s the time for family to be together whenever they are people come home to celebrate the festival with families and have the traditional “Reunion Dinner” or so-called “Chinese New Year’s Eve Dinner”.

Last night, I have been invited to join a Chinese new year’s eve dinner by my boyfriend’s brother-in-law, whose a Chinese. I am honored and feel like a member of their family. I’ve tasted a lot of delicious Chinese delicacies and I’ve got to try “Yu Sheng” a salad dish comprising thin slice of raw fish and various spices and sauces, with colorful shredded vegetables, chopped nuts, bits of pomelo, candied citrus peel and etc., mixed as we tossed the ingredients together using chopsticks while shouting good luck wishes. It is traditionally served only during Chinese New year.

The Chinese culture is rich with symbolism and superstition especially when it comes to Chinese new year. One of those is the cleaning of the house to sweep away all ill-fortune and making way for incoming luck. Door and windows are decorated with red color paper-cuts or couplet which symbolizes “good fortune, happiness, wealth and longevity”. I also observed they’re giving away a pair of orange and tangerine. Chinese associating the gift of orange and tangerine as having an abundance of happiness and prosperity. I received one pair from my company.

Chinese new year won’t be complete without giving & receiving “Ang Pao or Hongbao”. It is a small red paper envelop inserted with money. It is a monetary gift which is given during holidays or any special occasions like weddings that usually given out buy married couple mostly to single people. The Dragon/Lion dance show and fireworks display which are thought to bring good luck make the festival more fun & exciting.

Cheers!