Spring Festival in Taiwan
Like Chinese people in any other place, Taiwanese also spend New
Year's Eve bidding farewell to the old year with a reunion dinner by all the
family members to thank their ancestors and the gods for the blessings and
protection bestowed upon them. Children who have left their homes return on this
day for the reunion dinner, and for those unable to make the journey, a spot at
the table is reserved for them to symbolize their presence in spirit if not in
body. At the end of the dinner, the parents and grandparents give New Year money
to the family's children, who have been waiting with growing anticipation for
this moment to arrive.
Prior to the arrival of the New Year Day, the family usually uses Heavenly
Stems and Earthly Branches (a combination used to desiganate years, months, days
and hours) to determine the best time to see the old year off and bring in the
New Year, which is known as "Kai Zheng" (Beginning the First Month of a New
Year) in Taiwan. Usually, the time comes early in the morning, in which case all
the family members stay up all night until the arrival of that time. When the
time arrives, all the family members worship the gods and ancestors with
firecrackers and sacrifices, mainly sweet food, thus signifying the beginning of
a new year.
On New Year Day, while theists visit a temple nearby to worship their respective gods (which is
called "Xing Xiang" or "serve the incense"), others usually visit friends and
relatives. The streets are usually filled with the lively displays of dragon dancing, lion dancing, and other folk activities.
When guests arrive, the host entertains them with sweet food and sweet tea;
upon receiving the sweet food, the guest usually say some words of good
blessings, such as "Eating sweets, and making a good fortune ".
To insure good luck and wealth in the new year, several
taboos must be heeded. Floors must not be swept and garbage must not be disposed
for fear of casting riches out of the door. Also, cussing and quarreling is to
be avoided at all costs, and anyone who breaks a dish on this day must quickly
say "Peace"("Heping" in Chinese) several times, to avoid incurring misfortune.
Avoiding the use of white sugar is also important, as white is a funeral color.
Therefore, when making "Niangao"(New Year Cake, made of glutinous rice flour),
red sugar is usually used.
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