| Hong Kong is a very unique place in which you can see the combination of Chinese and Western cultures. For example, we celebrate the Chinese New Year, and yet we also celebrate Christmas! I'm sure all of you know about Christmas, so, in this page, I'm going to introduce the Chinese New Year to you! |
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| In 2002, the first day of the Chinese New Year is on Feb 12. The first day of the New Year is different every year because it is held according to the Chinese Lunar calendar. 2002 is the Year of the Horse in the Chinese Zodiac. There are twelve signs in the Chinese zodiac. They are (in order) Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig Each zodiac occupy one year in the Chinese calendar. After the Pig, the Rat comes again. There are many traditions about the Chiense New Year. There are special sayings, special foods, and special things that we would do. This is because the Chinese New Year is the most important celebration in the Chinese culture. To learn about what we do before and during the Chinese New Year, go to my Customs and Traditions page. Below, you can also learn about Fai Chuns. |
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| Chinese New Year |
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| Fai Chun |
| Pronunciation: FOOK (Cantonese) FU*4 (Putonhua) This character means "good fortune". It is usually posted on the door, and sometimes posted upside down. This is because the Chinese for "upside down" and "arrival" have the same sound. When this Fai Chun is posted upside down, it means "good fortune is arriving". |
| The Fai Chun are red paper with words of blessing on them. They are posted up everywhere during Chinese New Year, though most are posted in the home, particularly on the door or beside the door. Usually, the Fai Chun has four Chinese characters on them. There are also some with only one or two characters. The characters are written vertically and read from the top to the bottom. Some families will write their own Fai Chuns. Still, it is very common for shops to give out printed ones and some Fai Chun with cartoons can be bought also. Below are some Fai Chuns. Beside them you can find their explanations and pronuniciation. You can click on the Fai Chun to enlarge them for a better look. All the pronunciations are in Cantonese (a dialect of the Chinese language). I'll also find out the Putonghua (the official dialect used in China, or the Common Language) pronunciation later. To find out how Fai Chuns are written, go to the Chinese Characters page. To find out about pronunciations, go to the Dialects page. |
| Pronunciation: HOCK YIP JUN BO (Cantonese) XUE*2 YE*4 JIN*4 BU*4 (Putonhua) It means "inprovement in studies". It is usually posted near a writing desk, and is particularly suitable for students or people working for academical results. |
| Pronunciation: MA DOU GONG SHING(Cantonese) MA*3 DAO*4 GONG*1 CHENG*2(Putonhua) It means "success". It is usually posted in the working area, though it can be used whenever you wish success for something. Since this Fai Chun contains the character MA (horse), it is very popular this year. |
| The Chinese character for Horse Pronunciation: MA (Cantonese) MA*3 (Putonghua) |
| ************************************ These below are not traditional Fai Chuns, but I made them for Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting!! ^-^ |
| Pronunciation: LUNG MA JING SUN (Cantonese) (Putonhua) It means "as active and alert as dragons and horses". It is usually posted in the house, and is particularly suitable for old people, wishing them to be healthy and active. |
| Pronunciation: CHUT YAP PING ON (Cantonese) (Putonhua) It means "safety when coming back and going out". It is usually posted horizontally over the main door frame of the house. It wishes safety and protection from traffic accidents. |
| Pronunciation: LUI TUNG GWUN (Cantonese) (Putonhua) It means "Girl Guide" or "Girl Scout". (It's the same in Chinese!) |
| Pronunciation: YAT HENG YAT SINN (Cantonese) (Putonhua) It means "a good turn each day". |
| Pronunciation: KUNG HEI FAT CHOI (Cantonese) (Putonhua) It means "congratulating on gladness and making a lot of money". It can be posted anywhere. It is the most common greeting to others during the Chinese New Year. (You've probably heard of it too!). |
| Pronunciation: CHING CHUN SHEUNG JUE (Cantonese) (Putonhua) It means "always young (and pretty)". It can be posted anywhere. It is the most common greeting to ladies. (Isn't it our secret wish?? *smile*) |
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| Pronunciation: LO LIK JUNG SING (Cantonese) (Putonhua) It means "try hard to win". It can be posted anywhere. I bought this because I'm going to have my exams. :) |
| Pronunciation: FOR CHEUNG DUK YI (Cantonese) (Putonhua) It means "doing well in the academic field". It can be posted anywhere. I bought this also because I'm going to have my exams. :)) |
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| ************************************ Thse below are not written by me. They are written by a Chinese teacher at my school. They are in a different style (and it is surely a much better style!). They are in gold ink. They are not traditional Fai Chuns, though. |
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