Kung Hei Fat Cai or Gung Hay Fat Choy, whichever way you say it
all means the same thing and it's not what you think it says as far as
wishing someone a Happy New Year. It actually means "Wishing You
Prosperity".
Bringing the new year has a far different meaning to the Chinese culture
than how we Americans view the coming of the new year, Chinese and much
of Asia celebrate it in a much different way.
There is a ritual that every family takes part in, whereas some may be different in how they perform their custom, it all surrounds the same premise of what they do and what it means.
Welcoming in the New Year starts way ahead of the day of the new year, this
year 2012 is in celebration of the Dragon, the most powerful sign of the zodiac
in the Chinese calender. In preparation, we clean the house, throw away unwanted items, get a hair cut, and buy groceries for family gatherings, the food has a specific meaning to each item consumed and presented. First and foremost we offer our thanks to the gods, of wealth, prosperity, health and happiness and also to our past ancestors by way of burning incense, paper money, items that signify certain items so that our ancestors can also share in our celebration in the heavens.
There is a very deep rooted meaning for many of the things that the Chinese do before, during and after the ringing in of the new year, from the Chinese Lion dance, to the firecrackers, the red envelopes, the colors represented, the pastries, the odd types of foods only eaten on the new year, keeping a light on the night before the New Year, not washing or cutting your hair on New years day, no sweeping of floors, no laborious work performed, and the list goes on.
Photos Courtesy of Trisha Zen
To get a true and real meaning of everything that the Chinese do on this very
significant and important day of the year, take some time to visit with a Chinese family during this holiday, though everything we do is the same in respects to the tradition, every family does it in their own special way. The meaning is all the same.To do away with bad feelings, bad luck and a dull year and welcome in a New Year of Prosperity, Health, Wealth, Happiness and Success for the New Year ahead.
Sonny Kwan 
(email: sales@SonnyKwan.com)
We specialize in Seattle Homes, Condominiums and Commercial Structures and have Chinese Joint Venture Capitols. We will look at all properties for acqusitions. If you or you know someone that may be interested in selling, buying or leasing their Seattle area property, call or text us today (206) 819-8228 and we can discuss your specific Real Estate needs in private.
Thank you.
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