Kantonese New Year

Kantonese New Year (犀自; さいごう) is a holiday observed in Kanton, and marks the beginning of a new lunar year. It is one of the most important traditional holidays in the country. It is classified as a national holiday, and is usually treated as a time of new beginnings, personal development and of course, religious worship.

During this period, Kantonese people often visit their families, attend communal temples/shrines, wear *sōki* (装衫), cook large amounts of traditional food, and participate in parades or public gatherings. The holding of certain events is considered auspicious during the New Year, notably weddings and baptisms. It is also advised that any outstanding debts, either financial or figurative, should be taken care of; that family members visit each other, and that people abstain from drinking alcohol or having sex. The New Year generally lasts from January 8th to 12th, although has been known to start on these dates in February instead.

## Events

### First day of the New Year (犀沒, *saimei*)

On the first day of the New Year, it is customary to visit one’s nearest communal temple or shrine, in order to cleanse one’s body and mind, and attempt to make goodwill with the spirits; this event is known as *kanmon* (韩崇). Also, it is encouraged that visitors buy a prophecy and accompanying good luck charm in order to see the predictions for the coming year of their life. Worship at temples is often brief, as most people prefer to pray privately within their own homes.

Upon arriving home, it is customary to light frankincense (松征) by one’s household shrine, so as to appease the ancestral spirits, and also leave an offering of rice and a bowl of salt water. After this has been done, one should pray and ask for forgiveness of any sins that may have been committed during the past year. This prayer should be repeated throughout the four days of holiday.

### Second day of the New Year (啸沒, *shinmei*)

On the second day, focus turns to cleaning out and tidying one’s home, symbolic of the ‘fresh beginning’ that the New Year is associated with.

Traditionally, any wooden furniture is treated with hazelnut oil, and sticks of white sage incense (阳数征) are burned throughout the house in order to purify the air. It is also advised to get rid of any old luck charms that one might have lying around, by cleaning them with salt water and then burning them. Additionally, if one received a prophecy that predicted future curses or poor fortune, it is generally advised to burn the paper over a stick of bamboo incense (竹征). However, some believe that this will increase one’s misfortune twice over.

### Third day of the New Year (渀沒, *danmei*)

On the third day, activities often become separated by gender. Women are encouraged to make a large amount of food in preparation for the fourth and final day of celebrations, while men are advised to take care of any outstanding debts, financial matters, and also to complete any tasks they may have been putting off. It is considered auspicious to be very productive on the third day, as it is said to carry over into the new year and ensure continued abundance and prosperity for the family. Of course, gender-specific roles may change according to circumstance, and are never fixed in place.

Children often visit their grandparents on this day, bringing them gifts of material value such as food, money or new clothing. It is customary for the grandparents to give the children small amounts of money.

### Fourth day of the New Year (希沒, *nozoki-mei*)

On the fourth and final day of the New Year, people are able to take part in a wide variety of activities. In the morning, relatives will arrive at the house and a communal meal will be eaten, ending with brief worship. In the afternoon, there are usually neighbourhood parades or public gatherings held, often featuring traditional costumes, singing, dancing, poetry recital, and occasionally live music. After the festivities, it is customary for the family to pay another visit to their local temple and stay for a period of intense worship, usually led by a priest. Many people also choose to have meals at traditional restaurants.

In the evening, the family comes together for another large meal, after which an extensive period of prayer and worship will usually commence. At the end of the evening, usually between the hours of ten o’clock to midnight, a ceremony known as *nozoki-noki* is conducted, during which each member of the family writes their wish, hope or resolution for the year on a slip of scented paper. This message is known as *nozoki-en*. The paper is rolled tightly, then placed in a pot which is then filled with salt water and left overnight. In the morning, each paper is checked. The slip on which ink has smudged the most is said to be the most unlikely wish to come true, while the least smudged paper is said to be considered to be very auspicious.