CHINESE NEW YEAR 2012

In another three weeks it will be new year. Yes, I know - you thought that was yesterday.
What I mean is 'Chinese New Year'.
Which in San Francisco is a MUCH more important and enjoyable festivity.
For one thing, it does not involve hordes of white people getting drunk.
That, by itself, is a mighty good thing.
I won't tell you what some of the downtown intersections remind me of at present.

Chinese New Year in 2012 is on January 23rd.

The parade is normally fifteen days afterwards, and serves to mark the end of the holiday.
But this being San Francisco, this year it will actually be held five days later, on Saturday February 11th.



春節
TSWUN JIT


For your easy reference, here are posts relevant to Chinese New Year that have appeared on this blog over the years.


CHINESE NEW YEAR - LUCKY WISHES, LUCKY FOODS
http://atthebackofthehill.blogspot.com/2011/01/chinese-new-year-lucky-wishes-lucky.html
A description of the naming conventions for dishes traditionally considered auspicious at the New Year's family dinner, with the vocabulary explained.
[LINK I.]


HO SI FAT CHOI 好事發財 DRIED OYSTERS WITH BLACK MOSS
http://atthebackofthehill.blogspot.com/2011/02/ho-si-fat-choi-dried-oysters-with-black.html
The most Cantonese of good luck New Year dishes combines dried oysters and black moss. It's a wordplay, and it's delicious.
Explanation and three recipes. But you can adapt or tailor your own.
[LINK II.]


CHINESE NEW YEAR: CLEANING
http://atthebackofthehill.blogspot.com/2011/02/chinese-new-year-cleaning.html
The most important part of your New Year preparations. Because you will avoid sweeping and wasting water for at least three days.
[LINK III.]


CHINESE NEW YEAR - TWO WEEKS OF EXPLOSIONS
http://atthebackofthehill.blogspot.com/2011/02/chinese-new-year-two-weeks-of.html
The schedule for the two week celebration explained, last year's dates. In 2012 the first day is Monday January 23, 2nd day January 24, 3rd day January 25, 4th day January 26, and so forth. The fifteenth day (Lantern Festival, 元宵節 yiun siu jit) is Monday February 6.
[LINK IV.]


CHINESE NEW YEAR, PLAYING WITH YOUR FISH: LO HEI, SANG YI HING LUNG
http://atthebackofthehill.blogspot.com/2011/02/chinese-new-year-playing-with-your-fish.html
Amazing things you can do with seafood! Like giddily throwing it about.
An ancient tradition invented back in the sixties.
Again, explanations and vocabulary. Pok cheui beng!
[LINK V.]



Basically, it all boils down to this: Pay off your debts and obligations at the end of the old year. Clean the house before Monday January 23rd.
Arrange trays of oranges, pomelos, and candies in the main rooms. Buy some flowering plum branches or narcissus.
Then have a wonderful festive meal on Sunday the 22nd with all members of your household, give presents and red packets of money to the younger ones if you're married and they're not, and set off tons of explosives for the next two weeks. Have fun.
Happy new year.


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