Guide to Chinese New Year in Malaysia

Chinese New Year, also known as ‘Lunar New Year’, marks the beginning of the Chinese calendar which usually falls either late January or early February. In Malaysia, CNY 2019 falls on Tuesday, 5th February and is a two-day national public holiday.

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But what really is Chinese New Year?

1.2019 is the Year of Pig

Astrologers believe that the year of the pig is time for passionate living and giving out abundance affection and love to family and friends. The nature of its element is associated with happiness, pleasures, prosperity and energetic.Believers expect to enter this year with focused on achieving their goals and to enjoy life to the fullest.

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2. The Legend of Chinese New Year

Legend said CNY is celebrated to commemorate the victory over NIan, a savage beast that used to attack the village. The story started when the villagers saw the beast was scared off by a child wearing red.Since then, the colour red has been associated with celebration and victory. Firecrackers were lighted up as the Chinese believed that loud noises and bright lights scare the beast away.

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3.Spring Cleaning and Decorations

Weeks before Chinese New Year is celebrated, Chinese families will begin to give their homes a deep and thoroughly cleaning. They believed that cleaning drives away the bad luck of the previous years and prepares the home for the incoming luck and blessings. At this time, homes will be decorated with cutout of auspicious phrases that symbolizes prosperity and wealth - all comes in the auspicious colours of red and gold.

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4.Giving red envelopes or ‘hong pao’

It has been a custom closely followed by the Chinese to give out red envelopes during celebrations such as birthdays, weddings and especially Chinese New Year. Belief says that wrapping money in red envelopes will bring happiness and blessings on to the receivers.In exchange, receivers are expected to wish elders a happy new year, good health and good fortune before accepting the red envelopes.

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5. Reunion Dinner

The magnet of the season that gathers all family members under one roof. It is considered the most important part of the celebration. Anything round in shape is a symbol completeness thus the family reunions are always held in round tables as a symbol of unity within the family. Besides that, this celebration gives families the opportunity to start a fresh New Year by making peace and restoring harmony with each other.

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6. Celebrate Chinese New Year in Malaysia

Head to Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur for a memorable Chinese New year experience - enjoy watching the lion and dragon dances as well as fireworks. The street are filled with lanterns and lamp decorations accompanied with extravagant parades.Fireworks is definitely a-must in Chinese New Year celebration. Besides that, you can also check out Old Klang Road in Petaling Jaya, and Jonker Street in Malacca to experience more of Chinese New Year.

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That’s Chinese New Year 101 for you! It’s time to revel this season and take the opportunity to reconnect with your roots or experience it for the first time - if you’re foreign to it!

Packist wishes you Happy and Prosperous Lunar New Year!

Gong Xi Fa Chai!