Chinese lunar New Year - when is it? You probably have it marked in your diary, in small print on the dates, and in a listing at the front, or the back page of a 2019 calendar or diary which has a page for dates the following year.
If you are travelling or staying home or watching TV on your screen or iphone or airplane screen you are likely to see buildings decorated in advance of Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year is a lunar calendar New Year celebrated by countries with Chinese populations and visitors and other countries in Asia and the world.
Flag of Malaysia
For example, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia (Chinese businesses) Hong Kong, Chinatown in London, England, Chinatown in Manchester, England, Chinatown in San Francisco, USA and Chinese restaurants in high streets (which Americans call main streets), plus airports such as Changi airport in Singapore.
Flag of Singapore
Expect meetings to be cancelled because workers and staff are away travelling. Expect airports, planes and restaurants to be busy. Expect to see lovely decorations everywhere, and Chinese foods in enticing packaging in supermarkets, stores and shops.
The Sheraton towers hotel had 'orange' trees inside and out.
'Orange' tree outside entrance to the Sheraton Towers Hotel, Singapore
Photo by Angela Lansbury. copyright.
Decorations
Orange, oranges.
You can buy boxes of oranges from supermarkets in decorative boxes tied with orange or red ribbon.
Gifts
Oranges. On New Year's day you give two oranges to the friends and family you have arranged to meet. We were given oranges by shop staff.
You are supposed to return the compliment with another pair of oranges. (A bit like exchanging Xmas cards. It's the thought that counts.)
You might be given old, dry oranges. Never mind. It's the goodwill that counts.
Bags and Tags
Bags and tags carry the words Happy Chinese New Year. The Chinese writing is usually in gold. (See below).
Oranges on red packets. Photo by Angela Lansbury.
Greetings
Chinese signs meaning Double Happiness.
Useful Websites
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_New_Year
Singapore Airlines
singaporeair.com
To learn (Mandarin) Chinese
Duolingo
duolingo.com
See next post on red packets.
About The Author
I have more posts on Singapore, China and learning languages.
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Please share links to your favourite posts.
If you are travelling or staying home or watching TV on your screen or iphone or airplane screen you are likely to see buildings decorated in advance of Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year is a lunar calendar New Year celebrated by countries with Chinese populations and visitors and other countries in Asia and the world.
Flag of MalaysiaFor example, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia (Chinese businesses) Hong Kong, Chinatown in London, England, Chinatown in Manchester, England, Chinatown in San Francisco, USA and Chinese restaurants in high streets (which Americans call main streets), plus airports such as Changi airport in Singapore.
Flag of Singapore
Expect meetings to be cancelled because workers and staff are away travelling. Expect airports, planes and restaurants to be busy. Expect to see lovely decorations everywhere, and Chinese foods in enticing packaging in supermarkets, stores and shops.
The Sheraton towers hotel had 'orange' trees inside and out.
Photo by Angela Lansbury. copyright.
Decorations
Orange, oranges.
You can buy boxes of oranges from supermarkets in decorative boxes tied with orange or red ribbon.
Gifts
Oranges. On New Year's day you give two oranges to the friends and family you have arranged to meet. We were given oranges by shop staff.
You are supposed to return the compliment with another pair of oranges. (A bit like exchanging Xmas cards. It's the thought that counts.)
You might be given old, dry oranges. Never mind. It's the goodwill that counts.
Bags and Tags
Bags and tags carry the words Happy Chinese New Year. The Chinese writing is usually in gold. (See below).
Oranges on red packets. Photo by Angela Lansbury.
Greetings
Chinese signs meaning Double Happiness.
Useful Websites
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_New_Year
Singapore Airlines
singaporeair.com
To learn (Mandarin) Chinese
Duolingo
duolingo.com
See next post on red packets.
About The Author
I have more posts on Singapore, China and learning languages.
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Please share links to your favourite posts.
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