Saturday, we all went to the Red Bowl for a Chinese New Year celebration with the FCC group in Fort Mill.
There are three ways to name a Chinese year:
- By an animal (like a mascot). 2008 is known as the Year of the Rat. There are 12 animal names; so by this system, year names are re-cycled every 12 years. More.
- By its Formal Name (Stem-Branch). This year is the year of Wu Zi.
In the 'Stem-Branch' system, the years are named in 60-year cycles, and the Name of the Year is repeated every 60 years. 2008 is the 9th year in the current 60-year cycle. - Current year is Year 4705 by the Chinese calendar.
Andy had to be somewhere (with his girlfriend) so he didn't come. Mommy dressed Amanda and Jaden in their Chinese dresses and fixed their hair. Here are some pictures of them....
Amanda is a Dragon (2000)
Jaden is a Horse (2002)
Jasmine is a Pig (2007)
The 15-Day Celebration of Chinese New Year
The first day of the Lunar New Year is "the welcoming of the gods of the heavens and earth."
Many people abstain from meat on the first day of the new year because it is believed that this will ensure long and happy lives for them.
On the second day, the Chinese pray to their ancestors as well as to all the gods.
They are extra kind to dogs and feed them well as it is believed that the second day is the birthday of all dogs.
The third and fourth days are for the sons-in-laws to pay respect to their parents-in-law.
The fifth day is called Po Woo. On that day people stay home to welcome the God of Wealth.
No one visits families and friends on the fifth day because it will bring both parties bad luck.
On the sixth to the 10th day, the Chinese visit their relatives and friends freely.
They also visit the temples to pray for good fortune and health.
The seventh day of the New Year is the day for farmers to display their produce.
These farmers make a drink from seven types of vegetables to celebrate the occasion.
The seventh day is also considered the birthday of human beings.
Noodles are eaten to promote longevity and raw fish for success.
On the eighth day the Fujian people have another family reunion dinner, and at midnight they pray to Tian Gong, the god of Heaven.
The ninth day is to make offerings to the Jade Emperor.
The 10th through the 12th are days that friends and relatives should be invited for dinner.
After so much rich food, on the 13th day you should have simple rice congee and mustard greens (choi sum) to cleanse the system.
The 14th day should be for preparations to celebrate the Lantern Festival which is to be held on the 15th night.
The food was AWESOME!!!! The Red Bowl Chinese food is soooooooo good!
Look at these crab legs!
The good thing about crab legs is that they have a built-in tooth pick!
As you can see, we all had a very good time!
Before dinner, Amanda and Jaden made Panda Bears using paper plates that they gave them when we arrived at the restaurant.
Mommy had a good time, too!
This is Joseph Yang, the Red Bowl's manager.
He and owner David Zheng host this celebration for the Fort Mill FCC group every year!
Before we left, I had to stock up on fortune cookies for the ride home!
The ride home is another story for another day.....
Wonkie Watch -- Day 77!
We are still waiting for Baby Wonkies, and we have become very concerned.
Just how long does it take to produce a baby wonkie???
Here is Wonkie...
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