February 3, 2011

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year falls on February 3 this year. If you are celebrating,

I wish you a wonderful and prosperous year of the rabbit.

I am in Malaysia to celebrate with my family. These few photos were taken on Chinese New Year eve. Mom set up an altar to offer food and prayer to the gods, and to our ancestors.

Joss sticks and candles © Evelyn Howard 2011

Joss sticks and candles in a glass filled with rice. I must admit that the container is not part of a traditional practice, but it was the only thing we could find to keep the joss sticks and candles upright!

Cognac in prayer cups © Evelyn Howard 2011

Cognac in 3 little praying cups

Vegetables and chicken © Evelyn Howard 2011

Fresh vegetables were offered together with chicken in the background.

lettuce and roasted pork © Evelyn Howard 2011

Lettuce with roasted pork

altar table © Evelyn Howard 2011

Rice too, with red chopsticks

oranges and paper wealth © Evelyn Howard 2011

Mandarin oranges on the left, and in front, gold and red printed papers symbolising wealth… 

Joss sticks © Evelyn Howard 2011

When everyone has prayed and lit a few joss sticks…

Burning of paper offering © Evelyn Howard 2011

The finale: the printed papers are burnt . I hope the gods received the offerings.

14 comments:

Sadami said...

Hi, Evelyn!!
What a yammy post you make! "謹賀新年" is a Japanese use of Chinese characters for happy new year. しんねん、おめでとうございます。
Cheers, Sadami

Autumn Belle said...

Welcome back to Malaysia. Wishing you a happy and prosperous new year and Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Unknown said...

@Sadami:
Thanks Sadami. Ah, kanji is difficult for me but I will have to learn it.

Unknown said...

@Autumn Belle
Thanks. I wish you and your family a happy and prosperous New Year too.
Evelyn

diane b said...

It is great learning about other cultures. It looks like you had a nice feast. Enjoy your stay with family.

wenn said...

Happy Chinese Year!

MarieElizabeth said...

Happy New Year! it looks like it was quite a god celebration...the start of a good year.

Viola said...

So smart with the rice in the glass to keep the candles and the sticks upright! :) Delicious food.. I think you had a great time, and I hope your prayers will be heard! :)

Viola said...

and.. A Happy New Year to you! :)
The year of the Rabbit, I'll try to remember.. :)

Kala said...

Happy New Year Evelyn! I hope it is a good one for both of us.

Dani said...

新年快乐!
Wishing you happy holidays!

Francisca said...

Gong Xi Fa Cai, Evelyn! Does your family in Malaysia think you are little disturbed/strange for taking the (familiar and well done) photos? Are you wearing red underwear too? :-D Hope the Year of the Hippity Hop is all you wish it to be, Evelyn!

Kaori said...

Happy year of the rabbit! This is a lovely tradition...love the photos! ;-)

Kim, USA said...

Hello Evelyn, I really do like your photos not just here but also to your other post. Do you used a macro lens? Or any other lens??

Kim, USA

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