New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-18
THE CHINESE NEW- YEAR.
THE FESTIVAL OF KwO-NIEN-HoW CIIINAMEN
CELEBRATE THE ANNIVERSARf-IHE fEs-
INVITES AT BELLEVILLE TO-DAY.

THE FESTIVAL OF Kwo-NIEN-How cIIINA MEN
CELEBRATE THE ANNIvERsARY-THE FEs-
INVITES AT BELLEvILLE TO-DAY.
This is New-Year's Day among Cinnamon,
and the opening Of the year is one OF the most
important events IN Chinese life. The Chinese year
differs from in arrangement, and has either IL or 10
months according as it has has not an ntercalary
month Consequently, great annual periods lido not
always fan on the same day OF the month. There are
generally two ntercalary months in five years or to be
exact years From the time Of the accession
OF Eperors OF the nan dynasty, 205 j. c. the civil
year OF the Chinese haG always begun the first day OF
that moon the Of which the enters into the
sign OF the zodiac, which corresponds with our sign
Pisces. The New-Years festivities in China In
honor OF KwOnien, exceed all others In their
universal and enthusiastic Observance and duration
They comprise the sacrifice 10 heaven and earth the
worship the gods and idols belonging TO the family,
worship of deceased ancestors prosraon before living
parents and grandparents, making NewYearss calls and
presents feasng and fireworks As the day approaches
unusual life is IN the Streets the stores are all
visions are laid in as the hongs stores AMI groceries
all closed New-Year's Day and remain so often for
hve six days after IL is considered point OF hohOr
not to eat meat nor TO start upon journey on New
very curous custom is strictly observed the pre-
vous evening The Chinese have sort OF mystical dl-
ynity called the Kitchen God Who has no temple nor
engraving generally about foot square which ls CON
spicuousy pasted the kitchen range This god is the
household divinity Of the Chinese lie Is supposed 10 so
year a mission 70 Yuh-hwangtatl, the ohlef
of the gods to report TO him the doings OF the family
held i'm his honor the night Of his supposed departure
make Patisfactorg Seport OF the family alter the
feast is ended the picture Is carefully Iemoxo1 ana
Day new picture put up ana the goa Is INVOKED 10
The ceremonies OF the day itself open with the family
sacrifice. Rice fruits and other offerings are arranged
bows three times before Them according to and rank
the head of the house pronouncng some short prayers
None OF the offerings are eaten M aeI me or
the festival FIecTackeTs are usehaGeo oulslue IHe
house 10 inform the neghDors that the family sacrhce Is
going Later in the day neghbors and relations eX,
change formal calls, elaspmg their own handS ana
shaking them, and bOwng to the person they are VISIT
cap of ceremony. Those who have no fine clothes OF
their hire them from others by the day or even the
haadozen visits to the same house though on different
backs, and that a friend calls on another In the
s yeTy T upon him An guests are provided with
tea tobacco watermelon seeds, and light refreshments
Vit ou rsSt ave- onduetcd with much ceremony and
expression OF fal affection and duty Troups OF boys
carry around sticks huge representations OF DRAGONS
made Of a framework Of split bamboo covered with
Abundance the door is opened aud the dragon IS carried
in to frghten away evil spirits and insure good luck for
the minister during the coming year. From each house
they receive sum Of money and often collect consider
able amounts before the day IS over Mandarin oranges
are also largely distributed among the boys these
oranges being considered omens OF good Bands Of
music go around and play at al the houses ana are re-
warded according 10 the merits Of their music, though
the music is often drowned III the discharge OF fire
crackers As 10 these crackers, York street boy
would be I'm hs glory in HOugKong or Pekin on New
Years Day. In the evening there is feastng among all
classes. The Chinese have an Old pr0yerD that the
bcgcars mouth is never empty at the w-Year" The
poorest cottager viii Kill his last chicken for his New
Years feast The day Is brought o close with thcatr
cals, music, and brilliant displays OF fireworks.
To-day the Chinese aborers at Capt lierycy's little
colony at Belevile will celebrate Their The
festivities viii not be quite on the scale OF those IN China
but they will he similar in character aud viii afford IN
excellent opportunity Of seeing these people under one
OF then most interesting phases