◆by Tricia Carswell

　　Take a stash of banger firecrackers and let them off, one or two at a time, with your friends, sporadically over a period of a month. Hang red envelopes, bearing money for the kids, on orange or blossoming plum trees. Suspend hanging decorations of macrame-like red knots and dozens of red and gold round hanging lanterns everywhere. To the front door, attach calligraphy of spring couplets and fu happiness symbols on red paper. Stir in platters of traditional jiaozi dumplings, sweet apple kabobs, nuts, and fruit. Invite everyone you know and who they know to drop in for a drink. Make amends and mend any fences. For a good mix, measure up some old-fashioned Valentine's Day romance. Pay all debts. Take in a temple fair with your extended family. Do not go to work for at least five days.

　　From Chinese New Years, Spring Festival is in full swing until the Lantern Festival. All of China officially shuts down for five days after New Years? but celebrations last for one full month. Legend tells us that during the reign of the Yellow Emperor, the deity was offended by the behaviour of humankind. Rumour had it that the deity went to the jade emperor in heaven to request observation and perhaps punishment. Word reached the people of this mission, who responded by preparing a huge feast to please the deity and distract him/her from any alleged sins. Someone of influence thought it would be a good idea to repeat the feast every year just in case the deity was //having// second thoughts.

　　Pleasing gods and frightening away the evil spirits leads to a peaceful life. The curved roofline of classic Chinese architecture is designed to catch the falling evil spirits and throw them back upwards so they don't reach the earth. If they make a landing, firecrackers are to scare them away.

　　You wouldn't know that they're banned in Beijing and some other major cities (with some exceptions) due to fire or user risks. To compensate, plastic cylindrical copies are used for New Year decorations, but every day, attempts to banish the spirits pepper the soundscape. The preference is definitely towards loud ones, rather than exploding rockets, so it's a booming symphony rather than visual splendour.

　　The colour and celebration is saved for the many parksswheresthere are Temple Fairs, a combination of replays of historical ceremonies, carnival games, and zillions of Asian food stalls, punctuated with a bit of pomp, some musical pageantry and Chinese people //having// a good time. What happens at Tiantan, the Temple of Heaven, is in sharp contrast to Ditan, the Temple of Earth. The former is definitely more imperial, intended to be a spectator sport for the many elders and foreigners in attendance. Live performances of lion dances, a combination of balance and acrobatics, give thanks for peace, safety and good harvest, while legions of costumed court members parade in period dress, carrying banners and paraphanalia for the prayer ritual that cedes supremacy to heaven. The latter is more folksy and traditional, with kids and seniors involved in performances and activities. Even participants in the re-enactment of the sacrificial rites and offering of prayers for peace and good harvests are dressed down. Among the dart-throwers, senior dancers, drummers and revelers at Ditan, there are few westerners.

　　Understanding symbolism during the spring festival explains many traditions. Red is the colour of joy and happiness. Lanterns are round like the earth. Knots recreate the symbol of happiness, the character fu, which can be displayed upside down, as a pun, to catch happiness. (think of a horseshoe) Spring couplets are 2-line verses of a prosperous, successful theme calling for a good year, and are printed and hung vertically. Chances are, the Chinese Culture Club will offer a workshop to make your own.

　　The image of a kitchen God, mounted over the cooking range, should be taken down on Kitchen God Day, so he can make his annual report to the jade emperor about the well-being of the household and to request much food for the new year. Foods are symbolic as well. The dumplings, because they're made by all members of the family, are unity and togetherness. These are like perogies, dough with ground meat and herb fillings, twisted //into// a shape like Hershey's kisses, that are usually boiled, but sometimes fried. Peanuts are for longevity; apples bring peace //into// the house and country; rice cakes are for prosperity. Sweets are for happiness because eating sweet things brings sweet words.

　　Good luck and good fortune comes from juzhi, a tangerine-like fruit. Just to be sure, enjoy healthy servings of everything. Festivals and culture always come down to food, no matterswheresyou live. That's why Chinese New Year is fun for everyone.