LUNAR NEW YEAR 2009 – The Year of Ox
Culture 文化
Compiled By Asia Trend
Lạc Việt Bistro
407-228-4000 2021 East Colonial Dr. Orlando ________________________________________
Phở Quyen Cuisine
2740 E. Fowler Ave. Tampa
813-632-3444
CHINESE BAKERY
1st Oriental Supermarket 5132 W. Colonial Dr. Orlando
407-292-3668
www.1storiental.com refer to P.9 for more details ________________________________________
Saigon Market
407-898-6899 1232 E Colonial Dr. Orlando ________________________________________
Joans Ann Bakery
2705 54th Ave. N. St. Petersburg
727-525-0632
ASIAN GROCERIES 1st Oriental Supermarket 5132 W. Colonial Dr. Orlando
407-292-3668
www.1storiental.com refer to P.9 for more details ________________________________________
M D Oriental Market
813-868-1688
1106 E Fowler Ave. Tampa ________________________________________
De Guzman Oriental Food Mart
407-282-7772 8433 E Colonial Dr. Orlando ________________________________________
Din Ho Supermarket
813-933-7230
8502 N Armenia Ave # 4 Tampa ________________________________________
Bright Colors, Lion Dance and Parades, and the pop of Firecrackers. There is the unforgettable sight and sound of the Spring Festival, commonly known in the West as Chinese / Lunar New Year. It is a celebration that last 15 days, the most colorful and important holiday on the Chinese calendar. The Chinese New Year celebrations are marked by visits to kin, relatives and friends, a practice known as “new-year visits”. New clothing is usually worn to signify a new year. The color red is liberally used in all decorations. Red packets with lucky money are given to juniors and children by the married and elders. Time to celebrate The festivities begin on the first day of the first lunar month of the New Year and last for 15 days. Lunar New Year 4707, which falls on January 26 this year, is the most important festival among Chinese (as Spring Festival), Vietnamese (as Tet Festival) and Korean (as Solnal). It is the time for renewal, family gatherings, eating rich foods and paying respect to your ancestors and elders. Also, what you do and how you act during the period is crucial in determining how the rest of your year will go. So, eating the right foods, dressing the new clothes, saying the blessing words all symbolize the prosperous year to come.
J M Oriental Market
407-816-6700 9421 S Orange Blossom Trl # 5 Orlando ________________________________________
M & M Philippine Mart
407-281-6999
7339 E Colonial Dr. Orlando ________________________________________
Oceanic Oriental Supermarket
813-254-2041 1609 N Tampa St. Tampa ________________________________________
Phuoc Loc Tho market
407-898-6858
2100 E Colonial Dr. Orlando ________________________________________
Saigon Market
407-898-6899 1232 E Colonial Dr. Orlando ________________________________________
Woo Sung Oriental Food Mart 5079 Edgewater Dr. Orlando
407-295-4077
Pick up the Asia Trend Magazine at any of the above restaurants and markets near you.
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Where to celebrate and what to say There are many ways you can participate in the Lunar New Year. Asia Trend Magazine has prepared a list of events you can attend to celebrate the year of Ox with us (refer to Pg. 38). Before you do that, make sure learn how to say the following greetings to impress your Asian friends, co-workers and neighbors. Kung Hay Fat Choy – to people from Hong Kong, Macau, or Southern China Gong Xi Fa Cai – to people from Mainland China or Taiwan Saehae Bok Mani Paduseyo – to people from Korea Chuc Mung Nam Moi – to people from Vietnam
Chinese New Year candy tray Candy Tray: The candy tray arranged in either a circle or octagon is called “The Tray of Togetherness” and has a dazzling array of candy to start the New Year sweetly. Each item represents some kind of good fortune. After taking several pieces of candy from the tray, adults places a red envelope (lai see) on the center compartment of the tray
* Candied melon - growth and good health * Red melon seed - dyed red to symbolize joy, happiness, truth and sincerity * Lychee nut - strong family relationships * Kumquat - prosperity (gold) * Coconut - togetherness * Peanuts - long life * Longnan - many good sons * Lotus seed - many children
Flowers bring you Luck and Prosperity Flowers hold a special significance at Chinese New Year. Three of the most commonly purchased flowers are blossoms, kumquat tree and peony flowers. Blossoms symbolize life, growth and prosperity. Peach blossoms are the most auspicious because in Chinese culture the peach is a symbol of long life and is regarded as the strongest defense against evil. The kumquat tree symbolizes gold, wealth, unity and perfection. The peony is called the “flower of riches and honor” in Chinese. It is the symbol of love and affection, as well as being a symbol for feminine beauty. The bright red peony is particularly auspicious, bringing with it luck and good fortune.
peony
kumquat
asiatrendmagazine.com January 2009
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