MINDANAO DAILY Chinese New Year Special Issue
BUSINESS | ARTS & CULTURE | HEALTH | TRAVEL & TOURISM | PEOPLE | REALTY | EVENTS
A1
Cagayan de Oro celebrates 2nd Chinese New Year Festival mark francisco, Section Editor
Saturday
January 28, 2017
Rains dampened the celebration but that didn’t stop the city from celebrating the second edition of the Cagayan de Oro Chinese New Year Festival from January 21-28, 2017. By Mike Baños | Photos by City Information Office
A
lso known globally as the Spring Festival, the city government joined hands with the local FilipinoChinese Community led by Greg Marten Lao last year with the issuance of Executive Order No. 009-16, series of 2016, creating the City Committee to undertake various activities for the Cagayan de Oro Chinese New Year Festival. The E.O. cites Section 16 of Republic Act 7160
(Local Government Code of 1991) which provides that every local government unit shall within their respective territorial jurisdictions, ensure and support, the preservation and enrichment of culture, and furthermore, considers partnerships with different sectors of the community as a vital part of local governance. President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III previously issued Proclamation No. 831 on July 17,
2014 declaring the annual Chinese New Year as a special, non-working holiday. It is estimated that one out of every five Filipinos today are of Chinese descent. The E.O. also recognized the vital contribution of the Filipino-Chinese community to the dramatic growth and development of Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao region and the country. Eileen E. San Juan, chairperson of the Oro Trade and Investment and Promotion Center and concurrently, the Cagayan de Oro Tourism Council Events Committee, head the festival committee with Greg Marten Lao, president of the Bell Church
Cagayan de Oro Chapter as co- chair. Although the Chinese New Year celebration traditionally starts 15 days before the Lunar New Year, the CTC again chose a modest program starting last Saturday, 21 January 2017 up to the Chinese New Year on 28 January 2017 due to the prevailing weather. The city’s two FilipinoChinese schools Kong Hua School and Oro Grace Christian School will also present cultural performances with song and dances at all major malls. A billboard detailing all major events is posted near the Tourism Assistance Center in Plaza Divisoria for the guidance and reference of all residents and visitors. A unique treat awaits curious Kagay-anons who want to explore their Chinese roots with the special new year offering and the lighting of the first incense stick at the Bell Church Cagayan de Oro in Macasandig on New Year’s Eve starting 11:00PM and culminating with the traditional Chinese New Year’s fireworks to welcome the Year of the Red Rooster courtesy of Phoenix Fireworks. GONG XI FA CAI!
Cagayan de Oro Chinese New Year Festival Heritage Feature:
La Casa del Chino Ygua, the oldest house in Cagayan de Oro By Mike Baños
At the corner of Don Apolinar Velez and Archbishop Santiago Hayes streets stands an unimposing two story brick building which has withstood ravages of time, the Philippine Revolution, the Filipino-American War, and World War II. It’s perhaps unfortunate how today, despite the quantum gains made by modern communications, few of Cagayan de Oro City’s growing populace are aware it’s now the city’s oldest surviving residence and has quite a history behind it. Known to local history buffs as La Casa del Chino Ygua*, it has been recognized as a historically significant structure by the National Historical Institute of the Philippines, as confirmed by the NHI marker installed there in April 7, 2000, the Centennial of the Battle
of Cagayan, also known as Siete de Abril. According to local historian Antonio Julian Roa Montalvan II, the house was built by Sia Ygua, a resident of Amoy (present day Xiamen) a city in the province of Fukien (now Fujian). Ygua is recorded as the earliest Chinese to have settled in Cagayan. While Amoy was an exit port, most of the Chinese who migrated outside the region came from the Yueyang and Fujian but Ygua was really a native of Amoy. (Montalvan, 2004) In a manuscript transcribed from Sia family records by Johnson L. Sia, a 4th generation descendant of Ygua, he writes how his great grandfather arrived in Cagayan de Misamis (as Cagayan de Oro was then known) in 1854 and opened his business in 1857. See full story, page A6
Editorial: e-mail: mindanaodailynews@gmail.com • Advertising: e-mail: mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com Contact: 0917-7121424, 0947-8935776
A2
FOR ADS PLACEMENT CALL OR TEXT: 0917-712-1424 • 0947-893-5776 E-mail: mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com
GONG XI FA CAI!
Saturday, January 28, 2017
How to Make Good Feng Shui for the 12 Zodiac Animals
What is Fengshui? Chinese Fengshui Fengshui, literally ‘windwater’, pronounced fnng-shway, is an ancient Chinese philosophy studying the auspiciousness of environments, based on Yin-Yang Theory and Five Elements Theory. It’s a form of geomancy. Fengshui philosophy states that qi (chee/
‘energy’) exists in all things and is the life of the nature. The core idea of fengshui is the harmony between humans and nature (or the universe). Good fengshui means good fortune, while bad fengshui means bad luck. It is believed that fengshui can affect the destiny of an individual and even a country. Through the
knowledge of fengshui, it is believed people can know how to make themselves more compatible with nature, their surroundings and their own destiny, so they can have good fortune in finances, health, and life. What is Yin-Yang Theory? According to Yin-Yang Theory, everything in the
universe is composed of two opposing, but deeply interconnected forces: yin (feminine, dark, and negative) and yang (masculine, light, and positive). These two forces deeply support and nourish each other, and cannot exist without the other. Fengshui aims to create a balance between yin and yang in an environment.
Making Good Fengshui for Chinese Zodiac Animals According to traditional Chinese culture, good fengshui brings good luck, while bad fengshui brings bad luck. You might want to know how you can make good fengshui for yourself according to your Chinese zodiac animal sign. Below is a simple introduction to fengshui arrangements for the 12 zodiac signs.
Rats — add Water in the North The Water element helps people born in a year of the Rat to make a fortune. They should place a water tank with some gold fish in the north of their office, and then fortune will find its way to them. Oxen — add Fire People born in a year of the Ox can only make a great fortune with the help of a strong Fire element according to the Five Element Theory. So they should put some ceramic articles in their offices or bedrooms to bring themselves good luck, because ceramic articles are heated by fire. Tigers — add Earth The Earth element is very helpful for the people born in a year of the Tiger. It’s necessary for them to add something prominent representing the Earth element, for example a potted plant, to their life to make a great fortune. It’s better if the potted plant bears fruit abundantly, which will help people born in the year of Tiger to make a profit from all sides. Rabbits — add Earth in the Northeast When it comes to making a fortune, people born in a year of the Rabbit need an invisible Earth element in their life; they should hide a jade item in the northeast of their bedrooms to bring themselves good luck. It’s believed that jade, buried in the earth for thousands of years, is the essence of heaven and earth, and will bring good
luck to people born in a year of the Rabbit. Dragons — add Water in the Northwest The northwest direction is ideal for people born in a year of the Dragon to make a fortune. They should put a basin of clear water with a handful of soil in the northwest of their bedrooms, and then place several lotus flowers in the basin to bring them good luck in their life. Snakes — add Metal in the West As far as making a fortune is concerned, the direction west is ideal for people born in a year of the Snake. Wearing metal ornaments, particularly gold or silver ones, will bring good luck. It’s believed that wearing gold and silver ornaments (Metal element influence) will ensure people born in a year of the Snake won’t need to worry about food and clothes, even if they do not make a huge fortune. Horses —add Metal in the Northwest The direction northwest is ideal for people born in a year of the Horse to make a huge fortune. They should place a bronze toad (something of the Metal element) in the northwest of their bedrooms, and it will bring them good luck both in career and fortune. Goats — add Wood in the North The direction north is ideal for people born in a year of Goat to make a huge fortune. They should place a mahogany box (a Wood element
item) in the north of their offices, and then put an object related to their professions in the box. For example, a cook can put a ladle in the box. Monkeys — add Wood in the West In terms of making a fortune, the direction west is ideal for people born in a year of the Monkey. They should put a plant (it is better if the plant is taller than the person) in the west of their houses. Roosters — add Wood When it comes to making a fortune, people born in a year of the Rooster should put some grass seeds in a non-metal container, and it should be a dark-red enameled one (use the Earth element not Metal). The grass seeds in the container contain limitless possibilities, which will bring people born in a year of the Rooster huge fortune. Dogs — add Wood As far as making fortune is concerned, those born in a year of the Dog should avoid the Water and Earth elements in life. They should place some peach tree branches (a Wood element item) in their office; however they should not insert them into water or soil. Pigs — add Fire The people born in a year of the Pig need the Fire element to bring them good fortune. They should put a set of ceramic articles (including a tray) in their living rooms, because ceramic articles are baked in kilns heated by fire.
What is Five Elements Theory? Five Elements Five Elements Theory is the other important component of fengshui. The five elements are critical to defining correct fengshui in a space. They are fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. Each element has a characteristic and represents specific aspects of life. The “five elements” is the fengshui term used to describe the composition of nature. It’s believed these components work together and should be kept in balance. How Has Fengshui Been Used? Fengshui has a histor y of over 3,500 years. It appears to have been first used when ancient Chinese selected dwelling sites. In Ancient Times… Archaeologists have confirmed that ancient Chinese’s dwelling sites were usually selected at pl aces t hat are sur rounde d by mount ains and girdled by a river. It wasn’t just that these places supplied the basics for survival, like clean water, farmland, firewood, shelter, and sunshine: settlements followed such a pattern that fengshui seems to have been used. In Imperial Times… In the Han Dynasty (220 BC – 220 AD), the basic theor y of fengshui formed; it started to be studied alongside geography and astrology. During the seventh to tenth centuries (Sui, Tang, and Five D ynasties and Ten Kingdoms eras), fengshui became more “scientific” and its activities gradua lly b e came dif ferentiate d. Dur ing t he Ming and Qing dynasties (1368–1911) it became popular among common people in deciding the location of dwelling sites, buildings, furniture placement, and burial sites for dead people. In Chinese Architecture… When we talk about Chinese architecture, fengshui has to be mentioned. It is a special Chinese architectural tradition that prevailed especially in ancient times. It usually links the process from site selection, design, and construction, to interior and exterior decoration. Fengshui seeks to balance the relationship between human beings and nature, so human beings can live auspiciously within the environment around them. All capital cities of China followed rules of fengshui for their design and layout. One of the great examples that follows the principles of classica l Chines e archite c ture is B eijing’s Forbidden City, the imperial palace of Ming and Qing dynasties. Now… Now fengshui is available to everyone. Banks, hotels, houses, and even communities in Hong Kong have been planned according to fengshui. Many people even use fengshui to attempt to attain greater happiness and well-being, improve family communication, restore employee cooperation, and improve business. author
Fercility
of chinahighlights.com
FOR ADS PLACEMENT CALL OR TEXT: 0917-712-1424 • 0947-893-5776 E-mail: mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com
GONG XI FA CAI! Saturday, January 28, 2017
A3
A4 6 Facts You Should Know About Rooster Year 2017 Saturday, January 28, 2017
GONG XI FA CAI!
‘Start of Spring’, which always begins within 2017. However, most two days of February Chinese tend to name 4. a zodiac year from As lunar year 2017, Chinese New Year starts on January 28th according to the 2017, and finishes traditional Chinese on February 15th lunar calendar, thus 2018, there will be the 2017 lunar year of two ‘Start of Spring’s, the Rooster starts on one on February 3th January 28th. 2017, and another on 2. Roosters will be February 4th 2018. unlucky in 2017! Not all lunar years According to have two ‘Spring Chinese astrology, Starts’. Lunar years people in their zodiac can have one start of year are believed to ‘Start of Spring’, but offend the God of sometimes none! This Age, and incur his is because a Chinese curse. It is believed lunar year can start that Roosters (people any day from January who were born in 21st to February 20th, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, and is either about 1993, 2005, etc.) will 354 or about 384 days be unlucky in 2017. long. Read more about Read The Chinese How to Bring Good Calendar for more on Luck in a Zodiac Year. the Chinese solar and 3. Rooster year 2017 lunar calendars. has 2 springs! 4. There are 13 months Actually “spring in year of the Rooster starts” twice in lunar 2017! year 2017, according To keep the Chinese to the traditional lunar calendar within Chinese solar half a month of the calendar, which starts traditional solar with a period called calendar, there will
chinahighlights.com
T
he Chinese zodiac affects Chinese culture a lot in poems, paintings, art, and architecture. As well as China, many other countries pay attention to Chinese New Year by producing zodiac products and issuing zodiac money. You must have heard about the zodiac Rooster, but you may not know the following 6 facts about year of the Rooster 2017. 1. A Rooster year doesn’t start from January 1st! A zodiac year starts from ‘Start of Spring’ according to the traditional Chinese solar calendar, and ‘Start of Spring’ is on February 3rd in
WELCome year of the fire rooster! Greetings from:
REP. MAXIMO RODRIGUEZ JR. 2ND DISTRICT, CAGAYAN DE ORO
be a leap month in 2017 (a second lunar month 6 starting July 23rd). So there are 13 lunar months instead of 12, which means there are 384 days in Rooster year 2017. 5. The Rooster is the fowl with five virtues. Roosters were very important in people’s daily lives in ancient times. They were not only treated as food, like today, but in ancient times people regarded them as a mascot since they ate harmful insects. (The shape of China on a map is often likened to a rooster by Chinese — with its beak above Japan (the worm), and Korea as its wattle, etc.) As recorded in Hanshiwaizhuan (the External Commentary of Han Odes), Roosters have five virtues: literary, military prowess, courageous, benevolent, and trustworthy.
FOR ADS PLACEMENT CALL OR TEXT: 0917-712-1424 • 0947-893-5776 E-mail: mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com
6. Rooster hours are from 5pm to 7pm. In ancient times, people didn’t have watches or clocks; they used the 12 Earthly Branches to divide a day into 12 two-hour periods. Every period was named after a different Earthly Branch. For the sake of entertainment and convenience, people replaced them with the 12 zodiac signs, according to their sequence, inventing sayings to relate each period to each animal’s behavior. Rooster hours are from 5pm to 7pm, when roosters go back to their coops.
FOR ADS PLACEMENT CALL OR TEXT: 0917-712-1424 • 0947-893-5776 E-mail: mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com
GONG XI FA CAI!
Festival...
lowed by three big firecrackers, which symbolfrom page A8 ize “sounding out” the old traditional Chinese dance year and “sounding in” performed by a group of the new year. The louder colorfully-dressed women the three firecrackers, the and men. better and luckier it’s beGiving Red Envelopes to lieved it will be for busiPass On Best Wishes ness and farming in the Like Christmas in the coming year. West, people exchange Praying in a Temple to gifts during the Spring Receive a Year-Long Festival. The most comBlessing mon gifts are red enve Praying in a temple lopes. Red envelopes have during Chinese New Year money in, and are given is said to be a particularly to children and (retired) blessed activity, and will seniors. It is not a cuslead to a smooth coming toms to give red enveyear. In Shanghai, China’s lopes to (working) adults, biggest city, thousands except by employers. flock to Longhua Temple, Red envelopes are the city’s biggest temple, used in the hope of givto pray for good fortune. ing good luck (as well as Things You Must/ money) to the receivers. Mustn’t Do to Avoid a Do you know Who Year of Bad Luck You Should Give Red En- As Chinese people bevelopes to and How Much lieve that the year’s start to Give? affects the whole year, Eating Lucky Foods for are many superstitions Increased Luck in the and taboos for the Spring Year Ahead Festival season. These ta Certain foods are eat- boos usually apply up to a en during the festival (es- month before the festival pecially at the New Year’s and continue to the end Eve dinner) because of of the festival (day 15, the their symbolic meanings, Lantern Festival). based on their names or Some Chinese people appearances. believe that they mustn’t Fish is a must for Chi- do cleaning or wash their nese New Year as the Chi- hair in the first three days nese word for fish sounds as that will sweep/wash like the word for surplus. away good luck. Eating fish is believed to A cry of a child is bring a surplus of money believed to bring bad and good luck in the luck to the family, so the coming year. young are placated fas Other Chinese New tidiously. Year foods include No begging: To ask for dumplings, spring rolls, a loan is a big “no-no”. glutinous rice cakes, and Another interesting sweet rice balls. thing is the red underSetting off Firecrackers wear… — “Goodbye Old Year; You will see red Welcome New Year!” underwear sold at su It has long been a permarkets and street Chinese tradition to set markets. Red is believed off firecrackers when the to ward off bad luck and New Year clock strikes. misfortune. For people The tradition is to set born in a year of the off one string of small Rooster, red underwear is firecrackers first, fola must for 2017!
Know what’s in store for you in the year of the Red Rooster at our Little China Town. #CentrioMall #WhereAdventureBegins #ILoveAyalaMalls #LovEmAll
Saturday, January 28, 2017
A5
author
Cindy Tang
A6
Saturday, January 28, 2017
GONG XI FA CAI!
FOR ADS PLACEMENT CALL OR TEXT: 0917-712-1424 • 0947-893-5776 E-mail: mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com
Cagayan de Oro Chinese New Year Festival Heritage Feature:
La Casa del Chino Ygua, the oldest house in Cagayan de Oro A
By Mike Baños
t the corner of Don Apolinar Velez and Archbishop Santiago Hayes streets stands an unimposing two story brick building which has withstood ravages of time, the Philippine Revolution, the Filipino-American War, and World War II. It’s perhaps unfortunate how today, despite the quantum gains made by modern communications, few of Cagayan de Oro City’s growing populace are aware it’s now the city’s oldest surviving residence and has quite a history behind it. Known to local history buffs as La Casa del Chino Ygua*, it has been recognized as a historically significant structure by the National Historical Institute of the Philippines, as confirmed by the NHI marker installed there in April 7, 2000, the Centennial of the Battle of Cagayan, also known as Siete de Abril. According to local historian Antonio Julian Roa Montalvan II, the house was built by Sia Ygua, a resident of Amoy (present day Xiamen) a city in the province of Fukien (now Fujian). Ygua is recorded as the earliest Chinese to have settled in Cagayan. While Amoy was an exit port, most of the Chinese who migrated outside the region came from the Yueyang and Fujian but Ygua was really a native of Amoy. (Montalvan, 2004) In a manuscript transcribed from Sia family records by Johnson L. Sia, a 4th generation descendant of Ygua, he writes how his great grandfather arrived in Cagayan de Misamis (as Cagayan de Oro was then known) in 1854 and opened his business in 1857. Named “Tong Joo” after his second son, it was a typical trading post that dealt
in indigenous products like copra, tobacco, abaca and the like. The business prospered and soon expanded to the nearby towns. In time it became one of the largest business establishments in the area (Sia, 2004) According to a short account of the house written by the late Fr. Francisco Demetrio, S.J. in his publication Cagayan (1971), Ygua became friends with the Recollect priests of the nearby San Agustin church. Due to his industry, and the help given him by the fathers, he gradually amassed a fortune. Like most Chinese who settled in Cagayan, he took active part in civic and public life. He was known for his good heartedness. It is said that when he died, practically everyone in Cagayan wore black in mourning (Demetrio, 1971). Ygua built his residence in 1882 at a time when the running conflicts between Moros in Sulu and Cotabato and the Spanish regime in Mindanao and the Visayas was beginning to affect his business. To better secure himself and his trade, Ygua had his house built of sturdy brick and stone which were shipped from Amoy (along with the builders) by Chinese junks in two boatloads. The original house was a two-storey structure constructed on an irregular shaped 2,000 square meter lot. It was located on the corner of what today is Archbishop Santiago Hayes (formerly Victoria) and Don Apolinar Velez (formerly Calle del Mar) streets, and extended all the way to Pabayo street. The house had a floor area of 600 square meters and was built of brick and stone. In addition, its posts, beams, floors, door, and window jambs were sourced
from two large old Molave trees. Alternating planks of 1” x 8” Molave and Balayon wood were used for the floor, while the roof was also made of bricks and stone. (Sia, 2004). In his account Johnston L. Sia claims La Casa del China Ygua was the first brick house in town, but according to Fr. Demetrio, it was the second ‘balay nga bato’ (house of stone) in Cagayan, as houses made of brick and stone (which were status symbols then as they are now) were then known. “There were many houses of stone in old Cagayan, so we are not sure if the Sia house was the first. An old house in Burgos yielded 1800s adobe stones and bricks. In fact, nearby the Sia house, just across actually (the empty lot on the corner across it) used to be a big house of stone belonging to Consolacion Roa y Cases Abejuela,” Dr. Montalvan commented. “Barring any hard evidence, we should deviate from the qualifier first.” The house is now not only the oldest surviving residence in Cagayan de Oro, but also holds an honored place in the country’s history. The NHI marker installed on its Hayes street side recounts how on January 10, 1899, patriotic Kagay-anons celebrated independence through a Fiesta Nacional as a sign of support for the Philippine revolutionary government headed by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo. They gathered in front of Ygua’s house, marched around the poblacion playing music, made speeches at the Casa Real (the governor’s residence), fired cannons and raised the Philippine Flag for only the second time in Mindanao. (Montalvan, 2002) On April 7, 1900, Filipino revolucionarios of the Mindanao Battalion led by Gen. Nicolas Capistrano
attacked the American garrison of the 40th Infantry Regiment, U.S. Volunteers near present day Gaston Park in the Battle of Cagayan. However, they suffered many casualties (U.S. records show 52 Filipinos killed, Filipino archives say 200) and were eventually beaten back by the American’s superior firepower. (ibid.) The remains of many fatalities were buried in the backyard of Ygua’s house. To appease the souls and spare the inhabitants from being disturbed, Ygua turned their burial place into a temporary cockpit. The blood from the fighting cocks was believed to appease the restless souls. Until 1971, candles were lighted along the house in memory of the dead soldiers during All Souls Day. (Demetrio, 1971) When Sia Ygua passed away in Manila, his businesses were left to his managers. In time, two of his sons and a daughter came to the Philippines. The daughter, Sia Hong Moi, married a Manileño and stayed in the capital. The sons, Sia Simeon Velez and Sia Tong Joo, came to Cagayan de Misamis and eventually took over his businesses. In 1936, Sia Simeon Velez and Sia Tong Joo divided the family property, and the brick house came into the possession of Sia Tong Joo. Sia Tong Joo married Lu Oh O and has six children who stayed in Cagayan: three sons (Sia Bon Din, Sia Bon Suan and Sia Bon Hiok) and three daughters (Sia Pian Tin, Sia Chay Oan and Sia Chay Pin). They lived in the brick house, and even after the children had grown and had families of their own, the house remained as the center of family activities, being the venue for family gatherings and reunions during festivals like the Chinese New
The NHI marker installed on April 7, 2000 commemorates the Centennial of the Battle of Cagayan fought on the same date 100 yrs. before.
Year. The house suffered extensive damage during World War II. After the war, Sia Tong Joo renovated the house. Because of the shortage of materials, the roof had to be patched using nipa and the walls replaced by talisayan wood. Through these measures the house was given a semblance of its former appearance. The first major renovation of the house was undertaken in 1948. The damaged bricks were replaced by cement while plywood and asbestos were used for the walls. The 1” x 8” planks were however so sturdy they remained intact. Sia Tong Joo left for China in 1948, but his wife and children remained in Cagayan. Eventually, the son Sia Bon Din left and engaged in business in Talakag, Bukidnon and his other son Sia Bon Hiok left for Hong Kong. Meanwhile, his three daughters got married and moved out as well. The house thus even-
tually passed on to Sia Bon Suan. Sia Bon Suan married Betty Lim Siok Oan, and had 13 children: six sons (William, Henry, John, Augustin, Benjamin and Peter) and seven daughters (Ana, Corazon, Mely, Mary, Helen, Teresita and Shirley). Sia Bon Suan and his wife passed away in 1981 and 1975, respectively, and in due time his properties were divided among his children. The brick house was passed on to his fifth son, Dr. Benjamin Sia. The house was renovated for the second time in 1993 by Dr. Sia to how it looks today. It has been over a century and half since Sia Ygua came to the Philippines. His descendants have spanned five generations and have been completely assimilated into Philippine society. More than 200 descendants live all across the country, the majority of who remain in Cagayan de Oro.
A reproduction of the Casa del Chino Ygua from XU Museo de Oro. Ygua is the 4th from left. The St. Agustin Cathedral as it looked during the time of Sia Ygua.
FOR ADS PLACEMENT CALL OR TEXT: 0917-712-1424 • 0947-893-5776 E-mail: mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com
GONG XI FA CAI!
Saturday, January 28, 2017
A7
Lucky Numbers and Colors in Chinese Culture
Numbers and colors are important parts of Chinese culture. Numbers and colors endowed with lucky meanings are often used in Chinese people’s daily lives, from the dates picked for special events to the colors used for buildings. Number 8 and Other “Lucky” Numbers In Chinese culture, certain numbers are considered “lucky” because their pronunciations sound similar to words that have “lucky” meanings. Lucky numbers are very important in Chinese culture. People select lucky numbers when choosing residences, t e l e p h on e nu mb e r s , business addresses, wedding dates, festivals and other celebratory events. - Number 8 indicates prosperity, Wealth, success or social status. Numb er 8 s ounds similar to the word “Fa” in Cantonese. “Fa” can mean prosperity, wealth, success, or social status. One example of its use was the 2008 Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony held on August 8, 2008 (8/8/08), at 8:08 pm. - Even numbers are preferred over odd numbers. Chinese believe in harmony and balance. Therefore, even numbers are preferred over odd numbers. Number 2 represents harmony, and number 6 success. The pronunciation of number 9 sounds similar to the word for permanence. - Lucky numbers in business. Lucky numbers are also extremely important in Hong Kong. In this industrial and commercial city, competition is fierce and merchants vie for success. Often, they will select “lucky” days author
Cindy Tang
to celebrate grand openings or sign contracts. If the day has an 8, it is believed to bring luck. If the day has a 9, the business will have permanence. If the day has a 6, the venture will be successful. Red, Yellow and Green are Considered Lucky Colors Red — Happiness, Success and Good Fortune Red is the Chinese national color and represents happiness, beauty, success and good fortune. It is widely used dur ing fest ivals and important events like wedding. Red lanterns adorn business es and residences. Double rows of red “Xi” (happiness) letters are pasted on gates and doors. People
wore red during weddings, festivals and other celebratory events. Red envelopes stuffed with money are given as gifts during Chinese New Year. Yellow — Royalty and Power of the Throne Yellow symbolized royalty and power of the throne. The first Emperor of China was known as the Yellow Emperor. China was often referred to as Yellow Earth, and its mother river is the Yellow River. The skin color of Chinese people is yellow. During the Song Dynasty (960-1279), yellow glazed tiles were used to build imperial palaces. During Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1636-1911) Dynasties, emperors were dressed
in yellow imperial robes. They rode in “Yellow Palace” carriages and t r ave l e d on “Ye l l ow Paths”. Official f lags were yellow. Official seals were packaged in yellow fabric. Overlooking the Forbidden City from Beijing Jing Mountain, one can see a sea of yellow glazed tile roofs. Gilded copper urns and animals adorn many palaces. Green — Money Buildings, banks and restaurants are often painted in green and red. Know Your Lucky Chinese Zodiac Colors in 2017 As per Chinese astrology, everyone has a zodiac sign and associated lucky colors. The most suitable and luckiest colors might differ each year. Use these lucky colors in your daily life for good luck in 2017. Rats Born in: ...1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020... Lucky colors: blue and green Oxen Born in: ...1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021... Lucky colors: yellow and green Tigers Born in: ...1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974,
1986, 1998, 2010, 2022... Lucky colors: blue and gray Rabbits Born in: ...1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023... Lucky colors: red and pink Dragons Born in: ...1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024... Lucky colors: grayish white and silver Snakes Born in: ...1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025... Lucky colors: yellow and black Horses Born in: ...1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026... Lucky colors: yellow and green Goats Born in: ...1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027... Lucky colors: red and purple Monkeys
Born in: ... 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028... Lucky colors: gold and blue Roosters Born in: ...1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029... Lucky colors: brown and yellow Dogs Born in: ...1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030... Lucky colors: green and purple Pigs Born in: ...1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031... Lucky colors: gray and brown It is believed that wearing lucky colors can bring luck and success. You can use your lucky colors in your house or office decor, as well as your accessories such as jewelry, belts, scarfs, wallets, etc. Good luck and all the best to you in 2017.
A8
GONG XI FA CAI!
Saturday, January 28, 2017
How Do the Chinese Celebrate the Festival
The main traditional celebrations of the festival include eating reunion dinner with family, giving red envelopes, firecrackers, new clothes, and decorations. More modern celebrations include watching the CCTV Gala, instant message greetings, and cyber money gifts. A Festival for Family – Chinese get together and enjoy family time. Chinese New Year is a time for families to be together. Wherever they are, people come home to celebrate the festival with their families. The New Year’s Eve dinner is called “reunion dinner”, and is believed to be the most important meal of the year. Big families of several generations sit around round tables and enjoy the food and time together. Decorating Buildings, Houses, and Streets with Lucky Red Items Every street, building, and house where CNY is celebrated is decorated with red. Red is the main color for the festival, as it is believed to be an auspicious color. Red lanterns hang in streets; red couplets are pasted on doors; banks and official build-
Chinese New Year lion dance
ings are decorated with red New Year pictures depicting images of prosperity. Most of the decoration is traditionally done on Chinese New Year’s Eve. As 2017 is the year of rooster, decorations related to roosters will be commonly seen. There are red rooster dolls for children and New Year paintings with roosters on. Check the Top 7 Decorations for Chinese New Year. Cultural Activities to Welcome the New Year Many cultural activities are arranged during the festival. Rural areas and small towns retain more traditional celebrations than the cities, such
as setting off firecrackers, ancestor worship, and dragon dances. Setting off fireworks is common during the Spring Festival season all over China. At temple fairs in many Chinese cities traditional performances can be seen: dragon dances, lion dances, and imperial performances like an emperor’s wedding. A great variety of traditional Chinese products are on offer there, and strange Chinese snacks, rarely seen the rest of the year. Beijing’s temple fairs are held in parks from the first day of the lunar year to the Lantern Festival. In North China people perform various versions of the Rice Sprout Song, a See festival, page A5
FOR ADS PLACEMENT CALL OR TEXT: 0917-712-1424 • 0947-893-5776 E-mail: mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com