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Gong Xi Fa Cai

2008.02.07

Gong Xi Fa Cai - (Mandarin / Putonghua) or Kung Hei Fat Choi - (Cantonese) means "I wish that you will be prosperous". So you can use this phrase for greeting during CNY. Symbols of good fortune at the Chinese restaurant where my family have the reunion dinner last night:
1. red (happiness) lantern with blessing words in gold (wealth & happiness).

2. tangerines with leaves intact (long lasting relationships; fruitful and multiply as in having children)

3. bamboo (longevity)

4. Decorated food depicting the fish can also be found. It symbolizes surplus or having additional savings so as to have more than enough to live throughout the remaining year.

5. Cai Shen making his round to every table

and distributing mandarin oranges [kam (Chinese: 柑; pinyin: gum) in Cantonese - gold]

and posing for group shot.

Dinner last night actually started at 5pm as the restaurant was full-house.

The first day of Chinese New Year (Year of the Rat) is a time when families visit the oldest and most senior members of their extended family, usually their parents, grandparents or great-grandparents. (Photos taken during last year CNY). New clothings are usually worn to signify a new year. The colour red/orange is liberally used in clothings.

On the day itself, an ancient custom called Ang Pow, meaning Red Packet, takes place. Typically at Chinese New Year Ang Pow is given by married couples to children and unmarried people. The red is used as the most auspicious colour, while the decoration may have a blessing or good wish. The symbolic giving of the money represents a wish for fortune and wealth in the coming year.