It was a special day for Belinda and she was excited to wear her exquisite new dress. Her Mom had spent hours styling her hair to make it look beautiful. Belinda, already a patient child, had sat without complaint and sang her Mom some festive songs to keep them both entertained. All the family was in high spirits, preparing to celebrate their favorite holiday, Chinese New Year.
2021 was the year of the Ox, a trustworthy and reliable animal of the zodiac, and 2022 will be the year of the Tiger, the king of all beasts in China. Belinda’s Dad tells her all about the fearsome creature and how the Tiger is a symbol of strength and bravery in Chinese folklore. In order to emphasize the power of the tiger, Belinda’s Dad suddenly lets out a deafening roar - causing Belinda to run away in fright. “Don’t worry, Belinda” her Dad reassured her “There are no tigers here in the city!”
To celebrate the year of the tiger, at the family’s Chinese New Year feast, Belinda’s grandparents decorated the banquet hall with festive tiger-themed trimmings. The room was festooned with tiger wall hangings, tiger table runners and even hand fans with little tigers mischievously smiling in the center. Belinda was a little unsure about all these tigers, she preferred other more gentle animals of the zodiac, like the mouse or the dog. Despite this, she still thought the room looked magnificent, and she was happy her Grandparents had worked so hard to make it look so impressive.
Belinda’s Mom tells her that the kind of food served at Chinese New Year is important, each of the dishes symbolizes a wish for the upcoming year. For example, Longevity noodles are for happiness and long life, fish brings an increase in prosperity and Tangyuan (sweet rice balls) represent family togetherness, as they all stick together in the dish! All the food is lovingly prepared and elegantly presented, making it taste all the better. Belinda’s family gather and eat together for many hours on this special holiday.
After dinner, Belinda asks to watch the fireworks display. Her Dad gives her some ear muffs, the fireworks can be pretty loud for your little ears, he explains. Wearing her brand new coat, Belinda and her family set out to see the display. The fireworks are stunning, their colorful explosions light up the cold city sky, like so many flowers scattered in a black sea. At the stroke of midnight, the traditional red firecrackers are set off, they make an impressive cacophony, Belinda’s grandparents have told her that this noise scares off evil spirits and invites their ancestors to join in with the festivities. Belinda bent down to pick up one of the pretty red papers from the firecrackers, strewn around the floor like tiny fallen soldiers, she was promptly told to leave it on the floor, sweeping them away too early is bad luck! The year of the tiger is sure to be a prosperous one!
Happy Chinese New Year! Kung Hei Fat Choi!
