KUALA LUMPUR: As the Chinese New Year (CNY) draws close, the anticipation and preparations within the Chinese community have intensified, with an enthusiasm fueled by the belief that the Year of the Dragon will bring double prosperity according to the Chinese zodiac calendar.
Harnessing the charismatic and powerful essence, and the creative attributes associated with the dragon, the average Chinese individual is confident that the positive energy from the zodiac will amplify success in their lives this year.
The festive atmosphere in Sarawak led to busy main roads in the city and increased activity at Kuching International Airport, with crowds of Sarawakians returning home to celebrate the Lunar New Year with their families in their hometowns.
Private sector employee, Natasha Jee, 31, from Kuching said her family has been painting and spring-cleaning the house since last week to avoid a last-minute rush.
“We started last week. We just need to buy food for the family’s big meal tomorrow. And we will also buy new clothes because it is a tradition to wear new clothes on the first day of CNY,” she said.
As we enter the Lunar New Year on Feb 10, the Year of the Dragon is highly anticipated due to its significance in the heritage of ancient Chinese society.
According to Feng Shui beliefs, this year is expected to bring significant changes to society.
In Kelantan, Chin Qi Yao, 31, from Gua Musang said he spent almost RM10,000 from his savings to buy decorations such as Meihua flowers and various types of lanterns to usher in the new year.
The restaurant assistant said since the Chinese believe that the Year of the Dragon will bring luck, success, and fortune, hanging lanterns in every corner of the house is believed to attract a positive aura.
“I also hung different types and sizes of lanterns in the house to keep it bright throughout the new year.
“Hanging lanterns also signify welcoming the return of family members and guests on the day of the festival.
“For this Year of the Dragon, I am also displaying Jinyuanbao decorations or gold ingots and coins to symbolise luxurious wealth,” he said at Kampung Batu Papan 2 in Gua Musang yesterday.
According to Chin, he started buying decorations two months ago from shops and online for as low as RM2, as well as making some from red angpow packets.
Chin’s mother Arob Rattanaburi, 54, said she and her husband Chin Swee Cheng, 72, were excited by their son’s enthusiasm to liven up the New Year festivities.
“Today is the last day for him to wash, sweep (away bad luck) and spring-clean around the house.
“The Chinese do not do any house cleaning on New Year’s Eve because they don’t want to ‘sweep away good luck’ and ‘throw away wealth from life’,” she said.
In Perlis, Poh Hui Nee, 42, from Kuala Sanglang near Arau said she and her family are decorating their house with more lanterns and plants than last year.
“I finished cleaning the shophouse and decorating the family house for the CNY.
“Previously, there were no plant decorations, only a few lanterns. This time there are many lanterns and more elaborate ornamental plants including a dragon-shaped one,” she said.
In Penang, a fishmonger at a market in Bukit Mertajam, Lam Ooi Chok, 52, said this year’s preparations are more lively as he and his wife will be celebrating it with the latest addition to the family, a six-month-old grandson.
“I came here (shopping centre) to buy new clothes for my grandchildren. I have four children and three of them work in the capital, they are expected to arrive tomorrow. We will have a big CNY’s eve reunion dinner. This is the moment we wait for every year,” he said.
A survey conducted by Bernama in Bukit Mertajam and Butterworth revealed that CNY preparations are in full swing, with shopping malls adorned with elaborate Dragon-themed decorations to commemorate the celebration, while traders actively promote various sales offers to entice customers. — BERNAMA
