Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Revisiting a Timely Old Post: The Power of Superstitions - Chinese New Year's Traditions & Angsts



Vintage & Contemporary Lie See (Lucky Money)
& Lucky Candies 
It's hard to believe, but two years ago I noted that Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve was fast approaching on Wednesday February 2nd, 2011). It's happening again, and just as fast approaching (now Saturday February 9th, 2013). The time of uncertainty and opportunities associated with the Year of the Dragon should come to an end, and I should feel a state of calm and reflectiveness come over me as the Year of the Water Snake kicks-off on Sunday February 10th, 2013. Well, once again I'm anxiously tackling items on my "Prep for Chinese New Year 2013" checklist just as I did two years ago, all the while having the same angsts over traditions so steeped in superstitions passed on by my ancestors. The superstitions dictate the frenzy, I and likely many others within the Chinese community, are going through right now until New Year's Eve. My list has been amusing and bemusing anyone outside of the Chinese culture, as in the case of my hubby. He finds it hard to believe that this CBC (Canadian-born Chinese), raised in Toronto, could be tied to so many "silly" superstitions and/or rituals despite all that hi-tech!

*** Top 9 Chinese New Year Superstitions in 2013 ***

* Sweep kitchen floor & Wash kitchen floor
I've noted in my daytimer to sweep and wash the kitchen floor by Friday February 8th. It would be bad luck if I did it on February 9th, Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve! I'd be sweeping out the good luck from home! Likewise for dumping the dirty water! 

* Garbage/Recycle Days Taboos
Two years ago, we lived in a house with alternating Garbage Collection and Recycle Day on Thursdays. That year,  Chinese New Year's Day fell on a Thursday Garbage Collection Day! Aye-Yah! You should have seen my hubby's look of sheer amazement (or horror?)  as I pointed out that by January 20th, 2011 we needed to pitch whatever needs to go into the garbage collection, and that on February 3rd, 2011 we must keep any garbage in the house! Well, we've since moved into a condo with fabulous daily recycling program. Guess what we're doing on Friday February 8th, 2013 when it's Recycle Day at our new place?  Hint: No garbage goes out Saturday as that's New Year's Eve in 2013 and tossing out your garbage is equivalent to tossing out your good luck! 

* Hair Cut Appointment before Chinese New Year's Eve 
This subject is always a huge bone of contention as one ponders over when is the ultimate last day you can slot your hair cut appointment into a packed agenda, as it's considered bad luck to have it done too close to Chinese New Year. You'll sever your good luck! Yes, there are chances of accidents, where you get snipped and not your hair! Keeping all this in mind, I set my hair appointment with my amazing stylist, Guy Krouse at Salon Vivace for this Thursday January 31st so I'd be ready for the Chinese New Year's prep tours and of course, the two banquets: Chinese New Year's Eve 11-course banquet on February 9th, 2013 and the inaugural Lantern Festival 9-course banquet on February 23rd, 2013.

* No Showering on Chinese New Year's Eve
 It's bad luck to wash your hair and have a shower! If you're active and go to the gym, this one can be a challenge as nobody wants to go to school or work stinking like a skunk! Apparently, in the good old days, most Chinese villages lacked plumbing, whereas in Toronto, we have great plumbing! Try telling your mom this one. Anyway, I and other Chinese friends just go to the gym and not inform mom about showering after that vigorous gym class! The other solution: not go to the gym just prior to New Year's Eve and be stressed out from skipping your workout! Hubby could barely contain his laughter when I informed him about this superstition and the angst behind it.

* Get Chef Knives Sharpened Before Chinese New Year's Eve 
Two years ago I called before dropping off my chef's knife at Nella Cucina. They promised that I'll get it back within a week, before it's Chinese New Year's Eve! Whew! Meanwhile, fast forward to 2013, it has been a busy year.  My bold plan: sharpening the chef knife on my own by Friday February 8th, Shhh! Don't tell my mom. Superstition: knives severs good luck, so you'd want to sharpen before it's the new year and retain good luck in the new year! Aye-Yah!

* Bad Luck to Start with Broken Crockery
I must pitch any broken dishes, cups, plates and any other crockery as it's considered to be "bad luck" to start a new year with broken stuff. After my Friday tour, I'll replace a few chipped cups while picking up Green Chopsticks for my banquets. Aye-Yah! So much to do, and so little time!

*  Replace Dead Houseplants with Fresh, Live Plants!
It's inauspicious having dead plants as you're carrying over the bad luck from one year to the next! So I better swing by one of those Chinatown shops on Sunday after my tour and replace one of the bamboo shoots in my planter to ensure a lucky Year of the Water Snake! Agghhh!

* Settling Debts in order to Start New Year with a Clean Slate
It's funny how Chinese New Year follows right after the holiday season of gift spending, as it make settling debts a tad challenging... Sigh, it got to be done, otherwise you hear your ancestors murmuring about the bad luck for the new year!

*  Exchange Old Bills for Crisp New Bills at the Bank 
Bank tellers in Toronto's Second Chinatown banks (Spadina Ave/Dundas St W) or other areas wouldn't blink an eye when an Asian patron request for crisp new $5, $10 and $20 bills. It's considered good luck having crisp new bills in the pair of Lie See (Lucky Money) you hand out to little kids and any unmarried adult siblings.  I must also buy more of those red/gold envelopes. Sigh!

Money Tree Decoration for Chinese New Year

Before it's "Curtains Up" for the Chinese Lunar New Year festival, here are a few more other items I'll try to tackle to ensure more even luck in the Year of the Rabbit ...

* Buy 3 Kumquats (fruits) with green twigs & tie with red string/ribbon for good luck!
* Buy a box of Lucky Pastries from Chinese bakery (re-fills of wallet-shaped pastries, fire cracker-shaped cookies; smiling face cookies)
* Buy more bags of Lucky Candies for the food tours, Chinese New Year's Eve banquet (Feb 9) and inaugural Lantern Festival banquet (Feb 23)
* Pick-up 3 Sesame Balls from Kim Moon Bakery
* Find golden platter to place fruits, candies & Lie See as decoration on table in lobby for guests!

                                    Happy New Year!

Gung Hey Fatt Choy in Cantonese or

Gong Xi Fa Cai in Mandarin or

Chuc Mung Nam Mui in Vietnamese! 

Need more luck? Try these 5 Chinese Lunar New Year's Experiences


2012 was a totally colourful, exciting and vibrant year as soon as it was January 23rd, 2012. That day marked the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year, or more appropriately, Asian Lunar New Year (as the Taiwanese and Vietnamese communities also celebrate this festival to end all festivals).  On that day, we all welcomed the fast-paced Year of the Dragon, where the proverb to live by is: "Better to do it than miss it."  Dragon years are typically filled with opportunities knocking on your door! If you missed a few golden opportunities in 2012, I have good news for you: the Year of the Dragon ends on February 9th, 2013. You still have a wee bit of time to make the most of this auspicious year!  Now that you're on a lucky roll, here's the next good news: you have five ways or opportunities to get lucky! Yes, it's so simple too.  I kick-off celebrating A Taste of the World's 20th anniversary with my annual Chinese New Year celebrations five different ways, while bidding adieu to the intensely active Year of the Dragon and welcoming the reflective Year of the Water Snake, where the Chinese proverb to live by is: "If you have foresight, you are blessed, but if you have insight, you are a thousand times blessed."  Ready to find out what the Year of the Snake holds in store for you?


*** Try these Lucky Chinese New Year's Experiences  ***

Whether you're a Foodie, who love food tours that involve noshing while popping into various venues for the essential festive ingredients and symbolic decorative/gift items over the three exciting festive periods, or you're a food lover, who prefers a completely sit-down banquet experience to start/wrap the festivities, you'll submerge yourself with the rich symbolism, rituals, and superstitions as hostess/ Culinary Historian, Shirley Lum.  There will be equal portions of food for thought, palate and all the senses at all five occasions.



1. Preparatory Period of Chinese New Year's Eve Food Tours 

    February 1st, 2nd, 3d, 8th (Sold Out), 9th, 2013  
    10:00 am - 1:30 pm

* Foodies, who love food tours you'll love the thrill of the Preparatory week prior to the curtains going up for Chinese Lunar NewYear's Eve. You're going behind-the-scene for the festive party food items/ingredients, decorations, items you might need to replenish/replace to receive and give the Good Luck of the New Year.
* Focus on preparatory timeline/countdown for cleaning home, & personal grooming
* Chinese Horoscope book for remainder of Year of the Dragon will be used at the hosted dim sum
* Space availability: 11 spots per day to ensure quality experience

Fees (incl food + non-alcoholic drinks; $CAD): Adult $45.00 SR/ST (ID)$40.00 Child (3-12yrs old) $30.00

2. Celebratory Period of Chinese New Year's Eve & Day Food Tours 
   February 10th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 2013  
    10:00 am - 1:30 pm 

Join in on the spirit of celebration, and find out what the Year of the Water Snake has in store for your Chinese animal sign over hosted New Year dim sum, a luncheon to please all the senses! Your guide will order a healthy dim sum with harmonious blending of the five elements – colour, aroma, flavour, shape and texture – a principle that applies to the making of each individual dish as much as to the dim sum meal as a whole. NOTES: Do NOT eat breakfast prior to tour. Private tours/talks, available weekdays for schools and groups. Book now to avoid disappointment, space is limited.

* Only on February 10th tour: Symbolic New Year dim sum items will be the key attractions of the hosted dim sum experience as we crack open the Year of the Snake horoscope book to get the most of the year
* Lion Dances in the streets of Toronto's second Chinatown - high chances of encounter on February 15th, 16th & 17th - the rituals will be explained by your guide/host
* Visit to grocery store, BBQ & bakery to shed light symbolic items needed to be served over this period (plus tastings)
Fees (incl food + non-alcoholic drinks; $CAD): Adult $45.00 SR/ST (ID)$40.00 Child (3-12yrs old) $30.00

3. Grand Finale of Chinese New Year's Food Tours: Lantern Festival 
    February 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 2013 
    10:00 am - 1:30 pm 
The Lantern Festival or Big New Year, on the 15th day of the first moon, dates from the rule of the Emperor Ming (58-75 AD) of the Han Dynasty, and formally ends the New Year celebrations. This marks the return of the spring light and the lengthening of the day. Traditionally, lanterns were lit in homes and temples. Children were bedazzled by the spectacular processions of exquisite silk and paper lanterns in every shape and form in the dark streets. At the end of each procession a glorious dragon, usually carried by at least a dozen men, dances to the deafening rhythms of cymbals, drums and red firecrackers.  Traditionally, Tang Yuan - delicious little sweet or savoury glutinous rice dumplings are savoured. Your guide will order a healthy dim sum with harmonious blending of the five elements – colour, aroma, flavour, shape and texture – a principle that applies to the making of each individual dish as much as to the dim sum meal as a whole. NOTES: Do NOT eat breakfast prior to tour. Private tours/talks, available weekdays for schools and groups. Book now to avoid disappointment, space is limited.
* The wrap-up of this fantastic 15-days festival ends with the hunt for lanterns on the streets, in shops, and eateries (no surprise) and more food!
* The grocery tour will include the bi-lingual shopping lists, and we'll look for the dumplings you can buy and take home! 
* Hosted dim sum will include a variety of dishes varying in textures, colours and flavours. Chopsticks & tea pouring etiquettes will be reviewed; beginners to advanced chopstick users welcomed! 
Fees (incl food + non-alcoholic drinks; $CAD): Adult $45.00 SR/ST (ID)$40.00 Child (3-12yrs old) $30.00


4. A Taste of the World's 6th Annual Chinese New Year's Eve 11-course Banquet Dinner
     Saturday February 9th, 2013  
     6:00-8:00pm  hosted by Culinary Historian, Shirley Lum
     Location: Taste of China Seafood Restaurant


Foodies unite!  Savour the opportunity to experience an authentic communal Chinese New Year’s Eve banquet hosted by Culinary Historian, Shirley Lum.  Traditionally it’s restricted to immediate family members, hosted at home, and all 8-12 lavish dishes cooked by the Matriarch. Now, an increasing number of aging Chinese Matriarchs are relinquishing cooking the numerous courses to restaurant chefs. Join us as we embrace this emerging trend. It will be an evening of equal portions of food and facts, as Shirley shed light on old and new customs, plus superstitions throughout the evening. Novice banquet attendees will appreciate the tips on how to pace themselves to enjoy the banquet to the fullest, and all guests will love the stories behind the auspicious names of the decadent dishes. What will the Year of the Snake hold for your Chinese animal sign? Pre-Register now and find out!

Six years ago, my family chose to give my mom the long deserved break from shopping, preparing and cooking (marathon dish/pots washing was relegated to us kids). My mom now plays a very important role in this fabulous feast: she gets to approve the menu and to transcribe it. Make her day after the feast, Tell her how much you loved the whole feast! Bon appetite! 

Chinese New Year's Eve 2013 MENU
* Crab Meat & Fish Maw Soup
* Stir-Fried Lightly Battered Jumbo Shrimps
* Phoenix Nest w/ Seafood Medley & Vegetables
* Whole Crispy Chicken with flavoured Salt/pepper & Shrimp Chips 
* Pork Chops w/ House BBQ sauce
* Four Treasure Braised Vegetables
* Double Lobsters with Ginger, Garlic & Green Onion
* Whole Steamed Fish
* E-Mein (Noodles)
* Yeungchow Fried Rice
* Traditional Sweet Soup & Chinese Fortune Cookies


Fees: $58.00 per person OR $500.00 a table of 10

Note: Pre-registration and Payment to hold your spot(s): 
Call (416) 923-6813 or info@TorontoWalksBikes.com and we will confirm availability by email. 
Payment by cash or cheque payable to "A Taste of the World".



5. A Taste of the World's 1st Annual Lantern Festival 9-course Banquet Dinner
    Saturday February 23rd, 2013  
    6:00-8:00 pm  hosted by Culinary Historian, Shirley Lum 

NEW! In 2013,  I am launching the 1st Annual Lantern Festival Banquet after several requests by past guests of the popular Chinese New Year's Eve banquets. The Lantern Festival or Big New Year, on the 15th day of the first moon, dates from the rule of the Emperor Ming (58-75 AD) of the Han Dynasty, and formally ends the New Year celebrations. This marks the return of the spring light and the lengthening of the day. Traditionally, lanterns were lit in homes and temples. Children were bedazzled by the spectacular processions of exquisite silk and paper lanterns in every shape and form in the dark streets. At the end of each procession a glorious dragon, usually carried by at least a dozen men, dances to the deafening rhythms of cymbals, drums and red firecrackers.  Traditionally, Tang Yuan - delicious little sweet or savoury glutinous rice dumplings are savoured. 

Location: Taste of China Seafood Restaurant 


1st Annual Lantern Festival MENU 2013:
* Crab Meat & Fish Maw Soup
* Scallop with Meat
* Stir-fried Lightly Battered Big Tiger Shrimps
* Crispy Whole Chicken with Flavoured Salt/Pepper & 

Shrimp Chips
* Traditionally Braised dish of Tofu, Meat & Vegetables
* Double Lobsters with Ginger, Garlic & Green Onions
* Steamed Whole Fish

* Steamed Rice
* Traditional Sweet Dessert Soup & Fortune Cookies 


Fees: $50.00 per person OR $470.00 a table of 10


Note: Pre-registration and Payment to hold your spot(s): 
Call (416) 923-6813 or info@TorontoWalksBikes.com and we will confirm availability by email. 
Payment by cash or cheque payable to "A Taste of the World".

Feeling the good luck coming your way yet?  Don't wait until the last minute to purchase your E-Ticket(s), as space is limited at each event to ensure an intimate and quality experience.   To avoid being disappointed, book now by calling our office or dropping us an email, as we did sell out the Chinese New Year's Eve food tour scheduled for February 8th  even before 2012 ended!  I look forward to hearing from you, and having you at one of food tours and/or at one of the tables set for the banquets! 



Happy New Year!




Gung Hei Fatt Choi  in Cantonese 
or
Gong Xi Fa Cai in Mandarin
or 
Chuc Mung Nam Mui in Vietnamese