Festivals

Earlier this year, i had a little go in documenting the many chinese festivals celebrated throughout the year. however, as time passes, i guess other priorities and tasks cropped up, resulting in the neglect of such updates.

Anyhow, we are now at the end of the year. the last most important festival in the chinese calendar was celebrated on the 21st of December, namely the Winter Solstice. as i am cantonese, this festival is actually more important to us compared to chinese new year itself. accordingly, the days are now shorter, and nights are colder. with the passing of the solstice, it also means that spring is round the corner...

Although the celebrations are not grand, the basics are almost the same. firstly, prayers are offered to the heavens to express gratidude to the heavens for bestowing its blessings to the family. then, round glutinous rice balls (tang yuen) were also made and served to all family members as the MUST eat food of the day. the roundness symbolises unity, coupled with the sugary syrup to indicate good relations amongst all who eats it.

Not far from the winter solstice, it is christmas. although widely accepted as the celebration of the birth of christ, christmas actually has deeper pagan meanings to it. christmas was originally celebrated by pagan folk as the birth of the mithras, after the longest day of winter.. anyway, it's now a secular celebration, celebrated by christians and non-christians alike.

as for me, i do have my christmas tree all ready, my christmas eve dinner planned, and my christmas day occupied. but with the new change of lifestyle, i am actually running out of time and space to prepare gifts and all for everybody.. now, i really do hope that there are some elves out there who would help..

eat, drink and be merry, they said.. which is what i plan to do tomorrow nite.. hehe.
but before that, i think i may want to go to the hairstylist to get my hair done, and perhaps get myself proper outfit for the dinner.. still dunno what to wear.

also, with the new year approaching, i can't help but to feel so thankful for the year that passed. so many things have happened, so many things have changed. for better or for worse, changes do happen and will always affect me in ways that i could have never foreseen.

time to shake off the blues, and put on a merry hat!!

Merry Christmas, Blessed Yuletide, and Happy Hannukah to all.. (depending on which that you celebrate)

Peace on earth

ciao
ben