Chinese holiday activities(10分)

Chinese New Year practices







Red packets

Traditionally, red envelopes or red packets (Cantonese: lai shi or lai see) (利是, 利市 or 利事); (Mandarin: 'hóng bāo' (紅包); Hokkien: 'ang pow' (POJ: âng-pau); Hakka: 'fung bao'; are passed out during the Chinese New Year's celebrations, from married couples or the elderly to unmarried juniors. It is common for adults to give red packets to children. Red packets are also known as 压岁钱 (Ya Sui Qian, which was evolved from 压祟钱, literally, the money used to suppress or put down the evil spirit ) during this period.



The red envelopes always contain money, usually varying from a couple of dollars to several hundred. The amount of money in the red packets should be of even numbers, as odd numbers are associated with cash given during funerals (白金 : Bai Jin). Since the number 4 is considered bad luck, because the word for four is a homophone for death, money in the red envelopes never adds up to $4. However, the number 8 is considered lucky, and $8 is commonly found in the red envelopes.



Note: in this situation, odd and even numbers are determined by the first digit, rather than the last. Thirty and fifty, for example, are odd numbers, and are thus appropriate as funeral cash gifts. Having said that, it is also rather common and quite acceptable to have cash gifts in a red packet using a single bank note - e.g. ten or fifty dollar bills are being used frequently.



The act of requesting for red packets is normally called (Mandarin): 討紅包, 要利是. (Cantonese):逗利是. A married person could not turn down such request as it means that this person would be "out of luck" in the new year (無利是)









New Year markets




圖片參考：http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/Chinese_New_Year_market.jpg/250px-Chinese_New_Year_market.jpg





圖片參考：http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png
Shoppers at a New Year market in Chinatown, Singapore

Markets are set up near the New Year especially for vendors to sell New Year-related products. These usually open-air markets feature floral products, toys, clothing, for shoppers to buy gifts for new year visitations as well as decor for their homes. The practice of shopping for the perfect plum tree is not dissimilar to the Western tradition of buying a Christmas tree.









Fireworks

Bamboo stems filled with gunpowder that were burnt to create small explosions were once used in ancient China to drive away evil spirits. In modern times, this method has eventually evolved into the use of firecrackers during the festive season. Firecrackers are usually strung on a long fused string so it can be hung down. Each firecracker is rolled up in red papers, as red is auspicious, with gunpowders in its core. Once ignited, the firecracker lets out a loud popping noise and as they are usually strung together by the hundreds, the firecrackers are known for its deafening explosions that it is thought to scare away evil spirits. See also Myths above. The lighting of firecrackers also signifies a joyous occasion and has become an integral aspect of Chinese New Year celebrations.[2]









Firecrackers ban

The use of firecrackers, although, is a cause for celebration, has over the years witnessed many unfortunate outcomes year after year. There were reportedly many victims of fireworks who has been blinded, loss of body parts, and other grievous fireworks injuries every year especially during festive seasons. Hence, governments and authorities have eventually enacted laws completely banning the use of firecrackers privately. Among other reasons, most bans are centered on safety issues.









Hong Kong

Fireworks are banned in Hong Kong for security reasons, which some speculate was due to the leftist riots in the 60's. The government, however, does put on a fireworks display in Victoria Harbour on the second day of the Chinese New Year. Similar displays are also held in many other cities in and outside China.