Rolling Oranges
Gong Hay Fat Choi!
Good wishes on the year of the Rabbit!
We had a lovely celebration with over a thousand people at a local market and event center. In addition to performances - a Lion Dance, Tai Chi demonstration, and dragon puppet; there were stories and crafts for children, and history of Asian presence in our area.
In the late 1800s, the towns around us had a Chinese laundry, and the local paper reported several gatherings for the Lunar New year. Celebrating with family and friends was the heart of the festivities - and we certainly did.
Lion dance at Mac Market
One of my favorite personal activities is rolling Oranges! The words for 'tangerine' and that for 'wealth' sound similar, and the color reminds us of that of coins.
My friend and Feng Shui practioner Gwynne loves celebrating Lunar New Years, and offers several practices: - 'Roll 88 cases, or 88, or 8 single oranges one by one through your front door (& every exterior door that enters your home) and across your threshold. Include real coins, ingots (resin), and gold chocolate coins into your home & business. This symbolizes filling them with an abundance of good luck & prosperity. Then share the oranges with friends & neighbors. You can also create a 'money tree, (there's an old Chinese legend of a tree with branches of coins & gold; when you shake it, the gold falls like rain from heaven) Decorations include red tassels, gold balls and coins in red envelopes. This one was a lemon tree in my old living room.
In the weeks leading up to new years, it's ideal to have preparations in place by the day before. . . #1 - Give your home & business a fabulous spring clean! Clear away dirt, clutter, & old stagnant chi to welcome new energy for the New Year. Everything should be sparkling!! Pay off debts, & "Treat yourself to a brand new purse & wallet, & fill it with lots of cash!"
Other suggestions include wearing red, and jewelry that makes you feel good - especially gold and red.
Food can include dumplings, pork, fish (the word for fish, 'yu' sounds like the words for both wish & abundance, serving fish at the end of the New Year's eve meal symbolizes a wish for abundance) Greens (symbolizing money) sweets for sweetness and luck.
Lucky envelops
I began began giving my my grandkids red envelops with money over a decade ago, and they look forward to receiving theirs, and rolling oranges to pave the way for the new year.
Wow, what a fun and festive celebration of the Lunar New Year! I love the idea of rolling oranges to symbolize wealth and prosperity, and I've never heard of creating a money tree before. I'll definitely have to try that out next year. Your friend Gwynne's suggestions for preparing for the new year are spot on - a spring clean is always a great way to start fresh. And I love the idea of filling a brand new purse and wallet with cash - that's a great way to set the tone for the year ahead. Thanks for sharing all of these fun and unique traditions - Gong Hay Fat Choi to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Paul!
ReplyDeleteThere was a wealth tree by the photo backdrop at the Lunar NY festival yesterday, I want to create one again next year as well! Gong Hay Fat Choi to you and yours
I loved reading about the Chinese New Year traditions, especially the rolling oranges and the red envelopes for your grandchildren!
ReplyDeleteThank you - it's been a lovely day!!
DeleteNadya, what lovely traditions! Thanks for the story of the money tree and the idea of rolling the oranges in. Intention is a core of what we will manifest. Gong hay fat choy!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteSo true - intention is at the core and key!
With Feng Shui, as with many things, it is best to note what shifts resonate, and implement a few at a time, and register how it feels, and the effects.