Welcoming the earth pig year

Workers set up a decoration to mark the upcoming Lunar New Year of the Pig in Nantong, China. AFP

The traditional Chinese New Year will begin on 5 February 2019 at 12:32 a.m. and will last for 15 days. Preparations begin a month before, starting with spring cleaning.

It is a time of renewal, so sweeping out the old is considered lucky. Start the New Year by considering that everything in life is fresh. Clean your home and decorate it with splashes of red. New red clothes and slippers may be worn on 8 February.

Everyone should get a haircut between 2 and 4 February to symbolize the cutting off of all the bad things that happened in the Year of the Dog.

Take a pomelo bath before 11 p.m. on 4 February. Sprinkle glitters at your doorstep to attract good fortune into your home, and throw some candies outside the street to prevent the spirits from bothering you through the year. Hang kiat-kiat (small oranges) on your door for prosperity luck.

PEOPLE performing the dragon dance with lanterns ahead of the Chinese lantern festival in Yunhe in China’s eastern Zhejiang province last year. AFP On your dining table, place the following offerings at the center:

3. One pomelo for luck that comes and flows.

4. Place a cup of uncooked rice (bigas) and a cup of water along with the rest.

The Chinese New Year should be welcomed with a large gathering. According to Chinese custom and feng shui practice, “Being in a large gathering at the stroke of midnight (signaling the beginning of a new year) brings good and strong chi (life force) and signifies good luck to those present.” You may visit a temple, church and/or attend a windmill parade. Those who will attend the annual windmill parade should wear red clothes.

DAY 1 — 5 February 2019, Tuesday New Year’s Day

Greet everyone by saying “Kung hei fat choy (Here’s wishing you become rich).” It is believed that appearance and attitudes during the New Year will be significant to what fortunes await one during the year.

Please do not wash your hair on this day as good fortune will be depleted.

Wearing new red underwear and red accessories or clothing is considered most auspicious.

Flowers and fruits are offered at the altar.

Light an incense or candle at prayer time — 5 to 7 a.m., which is Rabbit Time.

Attend a gathering in the evening. Have a dinner party with family and friends.

Give lai-see envelopes or ang-pao, good luck money wrapped in a red envelope, as a symbol of blessings.

Don’t sweep the floor on this day. It is prohibited as it will sweep away good fortune accumulated.

Do not use knives or scissors on this day as this may cut off fortune.

It is a good day for getting married, ground-breaking ceremonies, meeting friends, moving house and signing of contracts.

Traditionally called Kai Nian (Beginning of the Year), this is the day when married daughters visit their birth parents, relatives and friends.

This is also seen as the “common birthday of dogs” as it is believed to be the day the goddess Nuwa created them. Give your pets some treats.

Pray to your ancestors as well as to God.

Visit your in-laws, extended family and friends.

This is the day for family bonding, also referred to as “Day of the Sheep.” The sheep is considered a symbol of good fortune in Chinese culture.

It is a lucky day for starting a new business, getting married, ground-breaking, signing contracts, traveling, making renovations and moving home.

This day is traditionally known as the “Day of the Horse.”

People are encouraged to clean their toilets as the God of Toilet (Ce Shen) is believed to return on this day to inspect your sanitation.

You can sweep the floor and clean the house.

This is a good day for starting a new business, ground-breaking, meeting friends, moving house, signing contracts, making renovations and traveling.

An excellent day to open a business and go back to work.

This is the day to welcome the God of Wealth and Prosperity (Cai-Sen).

People usually get up early and welcome the God of Fortune by offering incense or candles and wishes.

Everyone writes their wishes to the God of Wealth on a wishing FU paper (which has three pages): first page for good health wish, second page for good harmony wish and last page for good fortune. Then burn it in front of your altar.

This is the best time to throw kiat-kiat or oranges into your home or business place.

It is a good time to go to the bank, open an account or deposit cash or check to your name or business name. Remember to wear red!

Love and marriage day. You can pray for a happy married life. For singles who want to have a partner, go to church, pray and make a wish.

Light an incense or candle and offer pink flowers. Continue to visit friends and relatives.

DAY 7 — 11 February 2019, Monday Everybody’s Birthday

Everyone is considered one year older as of this date.

It is a good day to invite friends, business partners and clients to a sumptuous lunch or dinner.

This will ensure abundance of food to eat.

Noodles are eaten to promote longevity and fish for success.

In Chinese culture, this is celebrated as the “Birthday of Millet,” which was a staple grain during ancient times. In folklore, if this day’s dawn is bright and clear, the harvest will be good throughout the year. But if it is cloudy or rainy, there will be poor harvest.

Pray to the God of Heaven or God the Father.

This is an auspicious day for businessmen and owners to host a party. They can invite friends and clients to an auspicious dinner.

It is a lucky day for starting a new business, ground-breaking ceremonies, renovations, meeting friends and signing contracts.

Avoid getting married, moving house and traveling on this day.

The Jade Emperor is the one in charge for the entire year.

Make offerings to the Jade Emperor by lighting incense or candle, offer some flowers and seven kinds of fruits.

Traditional belief says that if you wake up in the morning of the day and see a clear sky, it means that it is a year of big profit for you, while if you see a cloudy sky and rain, it says that there is a financial loss.

The 10th day is considered as the birthday of the “God of Stone.” As such, it is forbidden to move any objects made of stone in order to avoid any unpleasant incidences.

Spend time with your family on this day.

According to tradition, this day is when fathers-in-law should entertain their sons-in-law.

It is also the day the Dragon Dance Festival is celebrated.

DAY 12 — 16 February 2019, Saturday Vegetarian Day

As the feasts eaten throughout the festive days are rich, fatty and greasy, Chinese people normally begin observing lighter diets on this day to eliminate heat and clear their bowels.

The 12th day calls for rest from all the drinking and feasting sprees.

This day is dedicated to General Guan Yu and this is when most businesses and organizations will pay tribute to the deity.

Preparations are made for the celebration of the Lantern festival.

Each family may put a Chinese lantern or anything red in front of your door or window to catch the attention of the Prosperity God to come in.

Light a candle in front of your home from 7 to 9 p.m.

Have a get-together dinner at home — invite friends and relatives.

You may make a wish-fulfilling balloon instead of using the customary lantern. I write all my wishes on this balloon and release it in the air.