My CNY

What does Chinese New Year (CNY) means? A public holiday (for those working)? A time to collect ang pow (for the kiddos)? A time to spend money (for most people)? It seems like more and more CNY become an excuse for commercial activities. Buy new clothes, accessories, home improvements, foods (I know many Chinese do spend a lot on this item on this very occasions), travel (many take this long holiday seasons to do traveling). Excuse me, what do all these mean? And we Malaysian are so used to saying “Gong Xi Fa Cai” (may you prosperous), and all these seems to me CNY = money matters.

Yes, Malaysian and many others Chinese rushed home for reunion dinner every CNY. Yet, I have one question. How many really home while at home? How many bring their hearts home and really cares about the family members? I know that it is common in a Malaysian Chinese family when all the family members together, they likes to start the “I am better” competition. The kiasu-ness shown to the very maximum, comparing the house, career, money and the children and every other aspect of life that they could think of. Aiyah, why don’t just take the time to really care about our old parents that raise us up? Or spend more quality with your own child, understanding their needs?

We feast on the luxury foods. We look for dishes that have auspicious meaning, hoping that it with bring us luck for the New Year. Some go out and dine in the restaurant, paying through their nose as most restaurants markup extensively for the CNY dishes. Some let their old mum do all the cookings. To me, I think what food to have is less important. What’s important is that all get together and cook the food. Take the chance to bring everyone closer. If you prefer to dine out, at least spend the time to cherish the food and the time together with people that you love of.

Regarding the traditions, many have been diluted and forgotten in this busy and modern society. Many young kids nowadays only thinks about ang pow and how much it have inside the ang pow. I have overhead kids complained that this aunt / uncle is so stingy only give RM 2 as the ang pow money. Wondering they ever know the true meaning of ang pow. Ang pow is also called “ya sui qian” or “li shi” in Mandarin. Why is “ya sui qian” or “li shi” given by the elder to the young ones during Chinese New Year? The name itself “ya sui qian” and “li shi” explained why. “Ya Sui Qian” if I do a translation means money to bless the year and “li shi” means auspicious. So when someone gets an ang pow is means the blessings someone gives to you. So it is not so much about the money but the sincerity. So, please thank anyone who gives you an ang pow.

To me, Chinese New Year is reunion time, so be with you love ones. Take the time out to care about them, to give them your love. It is also means start of year as CNY is the beginning of spring. It’s time to forget about the past, no matter it is success or failure, good or bad. It is time to acknowledge and let go. It’s time to think about improvement and start to work towards it with a positive attitude.

I think that’s what CNY meant to me. Finally I wish all an auspicious year of Ox, may all be blessed with abundance in every aspects of life. Gong Xi Gong Xi.