Lai Kwan Yee and Wong Man Ching
Chinese New Year is the most festive holiday in China. Being bred and born in the United Kingdom, Ting only got to enjoy this kind of festive joy when she moved to Hong Kong two years ago.
“As a British Citizen, I do not know that much – most of my knowledge comes from my grandma. But I am getting to know more about it as I will be spending it here in HK this year,” she tells our reporters.
“But I do read up on some of the Chinese Horoscopes like whether the Year of the Snake will be a good year for me. My grandma also cleans the house before the New Year, and on the first day of Chinese New Year, she asks us not to wash our hair, and to wear new clothes etc. This is all about bringing luck. We also eat new year cake, get red pockets.” She adds.
Ting says it is different spending Chinese New Year in HK and UK. “In HK, everyone is celebrating – it is a massive occasion, but in UK, because there are so many nationalities, it is only the Chinese people who celebrate. In London Chinatown, we have the Dragon dances and lanterns but we do not typically do much, just have a family dinner if we can. But in HK since everyone is doing the same thing – the atmosphere is different.”
Being asked if HK is a good place to spend the Chinese New Year, Ting replies in agreement: “I definitely think so – the buildup to Chine New Year is very good…lots of beautiful displays, colors, events etc. It is embraced by the young and old.”
Of all the traditions in Chines New Year, Ting likes gatherings the most : “eating food together, catching up, giving or receiving red packets. I like this because of the closeness and warmness. Most days everyone is busy doing their own thing, but Chinese New Year brings everyone together – it is a happy time.”
Ting says she also likes going to Flower Market on the New Year’s Eve because it is a very lively and happy atmosphere. She thinks that different plants and flowers have various positive meanings and blessing. She especially likes ‘toe far’ (peach blossom). “It is simple but very cute and lasts a long time. Hopefully it also brings love and friendship!”
Speaking of Chines food, Poon Choi, or Big Bowl Feast (a big bowl with several foods) is definitely one that Ting eats frequently. “As I live in a village, we have Poon Choi a lot, not just for Chinese New Year, sometimes for weddings and baby showers too. For many parties or celebrations, we eat Poon Choi – lots of people gathering together and sharing food. I think that captures it really – it’s about the closeness, and with there being different types of meats and vegetables; it symbolizes different things in life.”
Though eating Poon Choi like seven or eight times a year could be too filling, with all that comes with the package: family gathering, red packets and New Year food, Ting is starting to like Chinese New Year in HK more and more.
