MANILA, Philippines – The Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, is just around the corner. This 2017, the occasion falls on January 28, marking the onset of the Year of the Rooster.
There are various stories about how the Chinese New Year festivities started. For one, a monster called nian attacks villagers, particularly children, during spring or about the time of the Chinese New Year. The legend has it that the color red and loud noises, such as those produced by firecrackers, drive away a nian.
On the other hand, the Chinese New Year is about family togetherness, rest from a year of hard work, and hopes of prosperity and luck, among other things.
In any case, you can welcome the Year of the Rooster and practice the traditions in style. Here’s how:
1. Tidy up your space
Chinese people traditionally clean their houses during the 15-day celebration of the Chinese New Year as it’s symbolical of moving on from old things and welcoming the new year with positive attitude.
With that, take advantage of this opportunity to unclutter your home and buy new things that could bring good fortune to your house.
2. Style your home with everything auspicious
After getting rid of old things, you can now update your home’s look based not just on feng shui or other traditional Chinese beliefs but also on the latest in home design this 2017. If you were born in a year of the rooster, you might want to consider sticking with your lucky colors such as gold, brown and yellow, and lucky numbers 5, 7, and 8.
You can also start with your Chinese New Year decors. Traditionally, people put up red lanterns, couplets, paper cutouts, and paintings that depict happiness and prosperity on New Year’s Eve to create the pleasant vibe of the festivities. You can be creative with these traditional decors in styling your home for the occasion.