According to Chinese legend, the God of Prosperity was born on the fifth day of the year. Anyone who lights fireworks on this day will be blessed with prosperity, and the earlier in the day the fireworks are lit, the better.
Today (Friday) is the fifth day of the New Year's celebrations, hence the fireworks at midnight last night. I had read something about this not to long ago, but I'd forgotten about it until someone mentioned it today.
The Lunar New Year isn't only celebrated in China; I know that Koreans celebrate it, too, and some of the southeast Asian countries. Also, in traditional Asian culture, you do not grow a year older on you're birthday; you grow older on New Year's. As soon as someone is born, they are considered one year old (because they are in their first year if life.) They become two years old at their first New Year. Then they remain two years old until the next New Year, when they become three, and so on. So if you were born just before New Year's, you would be considered two years old even if you were born only two months before.
Today (Friday) is the fifth day of the New Year's celebrations, hence the fireworks at midnight last night. I had read something about this not to long ago, but I'd forgotten about it until someone mentioned it today.
The Lunar New Year isn't only celebrated in China; I know that Koreans celebrate it, too, and some of the southeast Asian countries. Also, in traditional Asian culture, you do not grow a year older on you're birthday; you grow older on New Year's. As soon as someone is born, they are considered one year old (because they are in their first year if life.) They become two years old at their first New Year. Then they remain two years old until the next New Year, when they become three, and so on. So if you were born just before New Year's, you would be considered two years old even if you were born only two months before.
1 comment:
That is why I am 37 in Asia.
Post a Comment