Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is perhaps the biggest and most important annual festival
for Chinese and the Chinese communities world wide. The event is celebrated on
the first day of the Chinese Lunar Calendar. Each year is named after one of the
12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac.
Prior to celebrations, homes are cleaned and decorated by members of the family.
Debts are also settled while offerings and prayers are made. Also, plenty of
food is prepared and new clothes are purchased. Like any other event, family
members from out of town and far away will come home for the gathering.
Also known by the name of Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, the event is
observed by the Chinese communities throughout the world, regardless of where
they are. It is a cultural event and can a religious one too for the Buddhists,
Confucians and Taoists who offer prayers.
As the festival approaches, friends and relatives still exchange New Year
greeting cards with each other despite the technology era. A family reunion
dinner will be held on the eve of the New Year.
During this time, bad language and any unpleasant or sensitive topic is strictly
discouraged. It’s always best to be in one’s good behavior and only say good and
auspicious things.
For location and other information about the Penang States Government organised
Chinese New Year events, please visit www.visitpenang.gov.my.
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