Today I took Jemilla to the movies for a treat. I did absolutely no research into "The Princess and the Frog" because it's a Disney film, and we had seen some previews on Hong Kong television. It was a shock, therefore, to find myself trapped in a visual swirl of evil and greed, instead of the light hearted, entertaining, high-moral-based movie I'd expected. And the fact that it was an animation did not dull the voodoo theme at all. I was appalled by its overpowering Satanic emphasis: sanctioning of demons, tarot cards, dancing African masks, talismans, spells, voodoo dolls, selling your soul to the devil, etc. Jemilla said she wasn't frightened, but younger children are bound to terrified by the black magic and horror elements. I wish that we hadn't gone.
On Wednesday we braved the chilly weather to take two buses to a village called Lam Tsuen.Our destination was a popular tourist attraction called The Wishing Tree. We've heard that it is usually crowded during the Chinese New Year holidays, but there were only a few people milling around the park with us.
We liked looking at the souvenirs and snacks for sale in the different booths.
Craig went inside this Tin Hau Temple, which was built during the era of the Qing Dynasty for T'ien Hou, Queen of Heaven who looks after sailors on the seas.
This is the famous original Wishing Tree.
Legend says that once there was a villager with a son who had learning problems. He made a wish while worshipping under the tree, and his son's academic performance improved dramatically. Word spread and people started flocking to the tree to make their own wishes. In early 2005, a branch fell off the tree, injuring two people. It is in a very fragile state now, so branches have to be propped up with poles to keep it erect.
In 2009 this new seven-metre tall fibreglass tree was installed in order to allow visitors to continue with the practice of tossing wish messages into the tree.
Making a wish is not free. To make a wish, one needs to first buy a "bao die."
A "bao die" has a red paper on which you write your wish. The paper is then tied to a plastic orange.
The orange is then tossed up the tree until it clings to a branch. Some people say that it is better not to throw the “bao die” more than three times. If you are still unsuccessful after three tries, you are said to have made your wishes too greedy.
After watching a few people throw oranges, we saw a crowd near this little booth and moved in for a closer look.
It was a child's wading pool filled with water and tiny goldfish. For a small fee, you could have a turn trying to catch the fish in the specially designed nets. Sound easy? It was harder than we thought! The nets were actually made with flimsy tissue paper. Once in the water, they dissolved quickly. We found that the trick was to go for the smallest fish, scoop it up gently so as not to tear the tissue, but fast enough to catch the fish before the paper dissolved.
During our turns we used eight nets and managed to catch four goldfish. We were told we could take the fish home if we wanted. The stall operators must have seen the horrified look on my face, as they promptly handed over three lollipops instead.
Near the Wishing Tree park we walked past some floats that were on display after being used in the Chinese New Year parade.
This walkway is known as "The Wishing Corridor". It provides an alternative place to hang your wishes if slinging them into a tree is too demeaning or strenuous for you.
You can see this person's wish: to be lucky and prosperous.
You can also write your wish in an even more public fashion on this enormous banner.
Or you can beat on a drum or ring a bell for good luck.
There are also wooden racks available for joss papers to be hung.
Time to go home...We were glad to have experienced another aspect of Chinese culture. It also generated a good family discussion about how all these people buying wishes, tying them to oranges, and throwing them into a tree could simply talk to the Lord in prayer.
Check out these fantastic apples I saw at an upmarket supermarket with Natalie this week.
Growers tape a sticker on the fruit before it's matured. Sunlight doesn't reach the area covered by paper, and the result is a clear message on the apple. In this case it is wishes of fortune for the New Year.
These fortune apples are pretty pricey, though, around $60 AUD for this 11-piece crate.
I wonder if the idea will reach Australia. I'd love to buy an apple with a love heart or some other picture on it. Companies could use their logos. The possibilities are endless...
In my post about Chinese New Year I wrote about the various decorative items we've seen on display. I forgot about the many red and gold pinwheels for sale during the festivities. Apparently they are symbols of good wishes being carried into the wind for future realisation. These ones were handed to our children by a friendly jewellery store worker.
You may recall me writing about my friend Natalie who teaches Year 7 through Year 12 Humanities at Xi'an Hi-Tech International School in China. We are happy to have Natalie stay with us again for a week during the Chinese New Year holiday period.
This is a video she assigned her students to make about people's experiences in China. I thought it might interest you to watch it, so she allowed me to post it for you.
In the last few weeks we have seen a duilian on nearly every business and abode, yet another means of expressing happy and hopeful thoughts for the new year. Also known as couplets, a duilian is a pair of long, vertical red strips placed parallel to one another on each side of a door, with poetic and traditional Chinese sayings written on them. The two lines have a one-to-one correspondence in their metrical length, and each pair of characters must have certain matching properties such as meaning and tone.
According to sources on the internet, a duilian must adhere to the following rules:
1. Both lines must have exactly the same number of Chinese characters.
2. The lexical category of each character must be the same as its corresponding character.
3. The tone pattern of one line must be the inverse of the other. This generally means if one character is of the a level tone, its corresponding character in the other line must be of an oblique tone, and vice versa.
4. The last character of the first line should be of an oblique tone, which forces the last character of the second line to be of a level tone.
5. The meaning of the two lines need to be related, with each pair of corresponding characters having related meanings too.
You can see an example of a duilian amongst the Forest Hill club house decorations.
In my post about Chinese New Year customs, I explained about some of the items people in Hong Kong buy for decorations. These objects are specifically chosen in the hope that the family’s luck will improve in the new year. There are many other superstitious practices for Chinese people to perform in the hopes of ushering in good luck and prosperity. For instance, I found out that washing your hair on New Year’s Day is considered bad, but wearing new slippers or opening windows and doors is considered good. It is also customary to pay respects to one's ancestors during this festive season by offering idols food or flowers or burning joss sticks.
Some of the New Year festivities, such as the latter example, clearly contradict God’s word and are easy to avoid. However, like the Halloween dilemma, many Chinese celebratory practices might be labeled as simply “cultural traditions” and are more ambiguous about whether they are right or wrong for us as Christians to engage in. What harm could there be, say, in giving children money in red packets? Or in buying a little tangerine tree, enjoying a lion dance, watching a fireworks display, or celebrating “The Year of the Tiger”?
Let’s consider each of these in turn...
1. In the festive spirit of wishing one another a happy new year, money-filled red packets or red envelopes are given to children or employees. They signify the transmission of good wishes and good fortune, and a great deal of effort is made in selecting new bills of the right denomination so as not to inadvertently curse the recipient with bad luck. Sometimes, the red packets are placed on altars to be blessed by idols before they are distributed.
2. The kumquat/tangerine trees are put on display or given to someone in order to bring luck and good fortune.
3. The traditional Chinese lion and dragon dances are performed to chase away "bad omens" and bring good luck to local business or shops.
4. Fire crackers, while seemingly innocent in themselves, were originally intended to ward off evil spirits.
5. “The Year of the Tiger” is part of a 12-year cycle the Chinese use for dating the years. Every year is assigned an animal name or "sign" according to the repeating cycle: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar. There is a belief that the animal ruling the year in which you are born exercises a profound influence on your life.
So would Jesus join in with the Hong Kong people celebrating their New Year festivities in these ways? Would He reciprocate their goodwill wishes or reject their practices altogether?
I’ve noted some relevant Bible verses for you to read and contemplate.
In 1 John 5:19 we read that “the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” Satan likes to bind people with fears and uncertainties and superstitions. But we are children of God and should be dependent only on Him, living by His word. We don't trust in superstitions or traditions. Only God knows the future; trust in Him.
As Christians during New Year and always, we are to avoid any form of religious or moral compromise. God clearly commands us not to follow pagan practices. We are told to be “in the world but not of the world” (John 17) and to “abstain from all appearances of evil” (1 Thes 5:22). “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). Ancestor worship is wrong. Clearly we are not to associate ourselves with any practices that take our worship from the one true God.
Christians are not tied down to rules and laws; we have freedom in Christ. However we are still cautioned to not use our freedom to indulge our sinful nature. Rather, we should serve one another in love (Gal 5:13,14). We need to choose practices that are beneficial and constructive to ourselves and others (1 Corinthians 10:23).
It’s obvious during festivities like Chinese New Year that many people still choose to hold on to “the traditions of men" rather than the “commands of God” (Mark 7: 8). We should be prepared to be active in the community where we live but not practicing their beliefs and adopting their values. We need to show love for our non-Christian friends (Mark 12:31) as the second greatest commandment by Jesus, while avoiding placing stumbling blocks or obstacles in anyone’s way. (Rom 14:13).
I don’t want to put a dampener on all the fun activities that occur around Chinese New Year. Cultural traditions need not clash with the word of God. We just need to make a conscious effort to put God at the centre of these celebrations, as with every other aspect of our lives. We need to convey the right message to non-Christians through our participation in local customs. We need to consider how we can give red packets or tangerine trees without conveying the impression we are transmitting good fortune to recipients. We need to find tangible ways to spread the Gospel message this Chinese New Year. For instance, with regard to the “Year of the Tiger” we can tell others that we have value because of what Jesus did for us, not because of the year in which we were born. We need to ask God for help to honour Him in all we do and say. The Holy Spirit will help us discern what is irreverent, unedifying, or displeasing to God.
So I absolutely believe Jesus would keep the local traditions of feasting with his family for New Year, watching dragon dances and fireworks, exchanging orange trees, and giving children money in red packets. Jesus would be focusing entirely on the people, not the events. He would do it all in a loving way that honoured God. He would do it all while wishing the people God's blessings and peace to their homes. But I know it would sadden him how many of the Chinese New Year celebrations are earth-bound and focused on tangible success, rather than on getting to know God in a deeper way.
"Gong Xi Fa Cai" is the traditional Chinese New Year greeting we heard repeatedly today. It means "congratulations and prosperity" or “I hope you have good luck and lots of cash". As Christians we know there is more to life than riches, wealth, money, and success. The Christian life is founded on our saving relationship with Christ by faith through grace alone and not by works or wealth. So I do not wish Hong Kong people tangible or financial wealth this New Year. Instead I simply pray that 2010 will bring them closer to Jesus.
One of the most popular customs in Hong Kong during Chinese New Year is for married couples or the elderly to give out red envelopes or red packets (called hong bao or ang pow) to children and unmarried juniors. Business owners also give red packets to their employees. The red packets always contain money, usually varying from a couple of dollars to several hundred. I've been told there are special Chinese phrases to say when handing over the red packet and responses as well.
Per custom, the amount of money in the red packets should be even numbers, with the number 8 considered to be very lucky as the number 8 sounds like the word for prosperity. Apparently, the worst amount to give in a red packet is 44.
The envelopes are small and rectangular with auspicious characters, designs or symbols on the front. Most are red, although I've seen a variety of shades and even some pink ones. Companies use this opportunity to offer customers a set of red packets with their logo. There are also many Disney-themed red packets for sale.
I had never heard of this practice before coming to Hong Kong. My initial response when I was told that we would be expected to follow the custom of giving away cash was, "Maybe we could stay home all day and hide out." Craig over-ruled that notion, however, and this morning we duly prepared some red packets which we handed over to the Forest Hill guards we encountered, plus two bus drivers on our church route. After reading online that it was acceptable for the donor to write some words of good wishes on the reverse side of the red packet, we decided to add a short Christian blessing on the back of each envelope. Unfortunately, the messages were in English and will probably go overlooked. Maybe next year we will be better prepared in sourcing envelopes from a local church and adding a Chinese tract.
The notion of giving children money during New Year celebrations reminded me of when I grew up in West Africa where children were given coins at New Year as well. You can read my reminiscences here.
Incidentally, Keegan's kindergarten gave out red packets to all the children with chocolate coins inside. They were replicas of 1937 silver crowns from Australia!
The sun has set on New Year's Day 1987, but the weather is still uncomfortably warm. In the distance a radio blares a popular Alpha Blondy song. I pick the scab of an old mosquito bite on my arm, scuffing my thongs in the dry dirt as I reluctantly follow my sisters around our shabby block of flats in Cocody.
We spy a group of party-goers dressed in their brand new boubous and neatly pressed Western clothes.
"What about them?" my sisters hiss at me. "It's your turn to do it this time".
I whine and resist until Carla and Lauren link arms with me, dragging me forward. We reach the crest of the hill where our washing had been drying on the grass that morning. Then, gathering speed we race down the other side to the group of strangers. Before my nerves get the better of me, I blurt out "Bonne Annee!" and my sisters chime in enthusiastically beside me.
"Bonne Annee, les jeunes blanches", the Africans respond good-naturedly, making rapid comments in French which we barely respond to because our eyes are fixed on one man's hands emerging from his pocket with three coins which he drops into each of our hands.
Shouting "Merci! Merci!" we bolt away to count our meagre stash in the dim light of a doorway where a neighbour is smoking his Gaulois.
I cringe at the thought of having to repeat the performance, but my childish greed and excitement in procuring easy money begins to triumph. Imagining the tiny pots of nailpolish in garish rainbow splendour that await at the market, I turn to my sisters. "Come on!" I say, "Let's find someone else!"
I can remember during the lead up to Christmas 2009, someone told me that Chinese New Year is celebrated in an even bigger way here in Hong Kong than the Christmas festivities. It was hard for me to fathom at the time, but with the Lunar New Year only one day away I can see what they meant. Chinese New Year is basically the most important of all the traditional Chinese holidays. There is a real feeling of excitement and anticipation in the air. The schools are on at least one week's break. Stores and businesses are also closed as families gather to celebrate together with meals and activities. The children and I went to the markets yesterday and could hardly manoeuvre through the crowds of people buying last minute foods, clothing and decorations. Lots of money exchanges hands at this time of year. From the double-decker bus I have observed customers shopping for perfect kumquat or tangerine trees in the same way that westerners select their ideal Christmas fir. Every self-respecting business seems to have one of these trees in their doorway. The Chinese mums from school explained how on the Eve of Chinese New Year, families share a huge feast with significant food such as vegetables, ducks, chicken and sweet delicacies.
You can read about Chinese New Year traditions and customs in greater detail online, but these are the sorts of common decorations that we have observed for sale or on display in Hong Kong.
The colours red and gold are liberally used in all decorations, as symbols for life and happiness and prosperity.
Decorations generally convey a New Year greeting in Chinese calligraphy wishing “happiness”, “wealth”, or “longevity”.
The New Year decorations usually feature one or more of the following symbolic ornaments:
1. Red chilli peppers: the red colour is considered lucky and is believe that it scares away evil.
2. Firecrackers
3. Dragons
4. Gold boats: these are an old form of Chinese ingots or money.
5. Tigers: relating to the Chinese calendar and Chinese zodiac. Incidentally, Disney has already cashed in on this with numerous products marked "Year of the Tigger" (from Winnie the Pooh).
6. Koi fish: a symbol for surplus or success
7. Chrysanthemums: symbolise longevity and joy.
8. Kumquats: symbolise prosperity.
9. Pink blossomed trees: such as cherry, peach or plum trees stand for courage and hope and luck.
10. Lanterns: they are different from those of Mid Autumn Festival. New year lanterns are always red in colour and oval in shape.
11. Tray of togetherness: a special dish like the one we sent to Nana for her birthday.
It is usually red and gold and you fill it with dried fruits, biscuits and lollies to offer to guests and relatives who drop by. for a visit Traditionally, the tray is made up of eight compartments. It symbolizes the unity and harmony within the members of a family.
12. Red packets: red envelopes with money in them, often decorated with lucky symbols, which symbolise luck and wealth. I will expound on that topic more in a later post.
This photo is of items on display at Keegan's kindergarten.
As a craft activity at school, Keegan blew Chinese calligraphy ink with a straw to make a tree trunk.
Then he pasted on pink tissue paper for the blossoms.
Jemilla did a similar activity in her class.
Keegan's class also prepared some special Chinese New Year cakes. I don't know what they were called but their ingredients were mostly sugar, rice flour and water.
Then they were fried in oil. Keegan said he didn't like the taste very much.
Another kindergarten craft, this one is the Chinese pinyin for "spring" done in pumpkin seeds.
We like seeing the decorations and displays for this our first Chinese New Year in Hong Kong. I hope you've enjoyed the photos too!
