It’s the time of the year to celebrate again!!! According to the Chinese astrology, after the year of Mice, comes the year of Ox.

In Chinese astrology, the Chinese zodiac is a 12-year cycle. As the name implies, the 12-year cycle has twelve years and each year is named after one of the original animals. Each animal has a different personality and characteristics, and it is believed to be the main factor that effect each person’s life which gives the people their traits, happiness as well as success in their lifetime.

Have you ever wondered about the history of Chinese New Year? Legend has it that, the beginning of Chinese New Year started with the fight against a mythical beast called Nian2 in Chinese. In English, it is translated to Year. Anyway, this horrible beast would come to devour livestock, crops and even villagers, especially children. In order to protect themselves, villagers put food in front of their doors because if the Nian is fulled after eating all the food, it wouldn’t take away lives anymore. However, there was once people discovered that the Nian was afraid of red. Hence, every time when the new year is around the corner, the villagers would hang red lanterns and red spring scrolls on windows and doors. They would also wear red clothes and use firecrackers to frighten away the Nian. From then onwards, the beast has never come anymore.

Now we know where all the traditions came from. But if you are playing firecrackers, do take all the precautions that you need. Else, you might end up frightening your loved ones instead of the Nian.

On Chinse New Year’s eve, a reunion dinner will be held where members of the family, no matter near or far, get together this day and celebrate the festival. The dinner usually takes place in or near the home of the most senior member of the family.

The red packets or ang pow in the Hokkien dialect, are given during this celebration from married couples or the elderly to unmarried juniors. The red packets given contains money. They are also known as Ya4Sui4Qian2, which means the money used to suppress or put down the evil spirit during this period in order to have a smooth and happy year ahead.

As you can see from the photos above and below here, they are our vegeterian eggless new year cookies for this year. We bought the orange cookies from our friends. Our mum bought the pink-purple coloured almond cookies which is strawberry flavour. Colin only eat the strawberry cookies but not the orange because the heavy taste of butter does not suit his taste. :p

From Colinjong.com, we wish you a Happy Chinese New Year and may you be blessed with good health, good wealth, good fortune and happiness throughout the year of Ox.