Another New Year
Although for many of us the new year in the west and its festivities are past and we are back to work, in Asia and especially China, its very different.
With the Wolf full moon on the 13th of January and stunning early morning full moon views on the 14th, China is on countdown to the Lunar New Year, Wednesday 29th January. The festivities last until Sunday 16th February, although in lunar terms it ends on February 12th with the rising of the next full moon, the ‘Snow Moon’, often because its snowy across the northern hemisphere. After full moon, the lantern festival begins
This is the time of year when the work stops until February 8th, for all but key workers and those in retail and hospitality. Friends and family reconnect. Just like our big holidays, its all about families, big meals, hospitality and homecomings, but increasingly a significant segment of the population will use the long holiday for wider travel away from home in a break with tradition.
In China, the new year triggers the biggest human migration on earth each year. The numbers are mind boggling and you will read these numbers as a typo from me. It all starts on Tuesday 28th. China estimates 9 billion journeys will be made over the new year festival.
China rail will run 14, 200 trains daily over the holidays to support the anticipated 510 million individual rails trips expected. Planes are no different, with 18, 500 daily flights supporting 90 million passenger journeys. Of course, road trips will see the highest volume with an astonishing 7.2 billion trips expected.
First hand, I can tell you that as a westerner you will be shocked by the vast amount of people travelling at new year. The first time I arrived in China was in new year 2011. I arrived at Pudong Airport, Shanghai and as I moved outside of the terminal, I felt like the whole of humanity was walking towards me. It was one of the more intimidating things I have experienced, I was arriving, most other people were leaving for the holidays. Its one of those things everyone should see but also avoid as the impact on travel, accommodation and prices is huge.
The lunar new year sets the tone for wider work matters as well. For those in bonused roles, bonuses may be annual and cover the period up until the Lunar new year holidays. That means that people stay put to get their bonus, and unlikely to move before. However, after the return to work in February, job hunting can take off.
There is much symbolism around Chinese new year, expressed in everything from speech, decorations and even food. Red and gold are important colours in theming and decorations. Red symbolises good luck and happiness. Gold not surprisingly symbolises prosperity. You will see fruit blossoms, the stylised traditional lanterns and Chinese zodiac animals in the decorations. If course being China, spectacular firework displays as well as smaller family fireworks are synonymous with the holidays. Some of the older cities preserve the dragon lantern parade, where a lengthy joined dragon with lanterns on is carried through a city by a team of local people. I saw one of these in Wuyuan followed by an unbelievable firework display that seemed to go on for about half an hour. A very memorable evening.
Food is important, Fish for abundance and plenty for the year ahead, long noodles, symbolising long life and health, savoury and sweet dumplings, rice balls for family reunion, glutinous rice cake for career progress and pay rise, wontons for wealth and treasure, spring rolls with fresh vegetables to symbolise a fresh start in the coming year ahead. These are all considered auspicious foods and set to bring good fortune for the year ahead. Family and friends gather to share these foods in to reconnect with each other, bless each other and hope that the coming months will bring good things.
What ever year you have had, it’s at times like these we can pause, end the recent past, start afresh and look forward to the new opportunities and possibilities that will appear before us and if we can be brave, we can step forward and take those chance to grow both personally and in o0ur life journey. Happy New Years!