Happy Lunar New Year! This time of year marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring and, as such, is an excellent time to set some goals and intentions for the year ahead.
Lunar New Year marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It is a time when families get together, put aside disagreements, honor their ancestors, and thank the gods for their blessings. People rush to pay off debts before the old year ends and wear new clothes to signify a new beginning. The color red features prominently in decorations and clothing because it is thought to bring good luck and happiness.
Each year is assigned an animal and an element. There are 12 animals and 5 elements, meaning a specific sign only occurs once every 60 years. In days gone by, this used to be considered a person’s life cycle, although, with modern medicine combined with the traditional wisdom of Chinese medicine, most of us will be fortunate to live well into the next 60-year cycle.
Celebrating the Lunar New Year
While traditions may vary by culture, typically households will thoroughly clean their homes to sweep away negative qi in hopes of making way for good incoming luck. They gather together and celebrate the onset of the New Year with an elaborate feast. Traditional food could include such items as whole fish, pigs, ducks, chicken, dumplings, and sweet delicacies. At the end of the night, the family will assemble to light firecrackers and many parents gift their children with money in red paper envelopes. The Chinese New Year tradition is to reconcile, forget all grudges, and sincerely wish peace and happiness for everyone. Homes and businesses are decorated with red paper cut-outs using popular themes of “good fortune,” “happiness,” “wealth,” and “longevity.”
Here at Yinova, we spend the month of January cleaning house in various ways, from gathering to energetically clear our clinics to reorganizing our cupboards and more. What are your favorite ways to bring peace and cleanse?
