A lady prepares herself for the festivities ahead. A file picture

The Chinese New Year begins on February 7. The ruling animal of this year is the rat and there is a story behind the rat getting the first position among the other 12 zodiac animal signs.

The Jade emperor worked on two basic criteria while choosing the first animal sign. The first criterion was the animal had to prove to the emperor that it was worthy to the civilisation or be of some use to humanity. The next criterion was the animal had to be the first one to arrive at the heavenly palace on the day when the animals were being chosen.

The rat desperately wanted to get in but realised he was of little use to humanity. He knew the ox was noted for reliability and hard work and would probably be the first to arrive at the emperor’s palace. So, as planned, the crafty rat jumped on the ox’s horn on D-day and as it covertly sensed it, the ox was indeed the first to arrive.

In fact, so early that the doors of the palace were still closed and the ox waited expectantly while the gates were slowly opened. Then suddenly the rat jumped off and ran inside the gates.

Though the ox was furious at being cheated, the emperor felt that he could not go against his own word and consequently the clever rat became the first animal sign. The emperor was totally charmed by this unusual animal.

While most cultures around the world celebrate New Year’s as the time of renewal, for the Chinese, New Year means much more.

It is the time together with family, honour ancestors and they celebrate with a big banquet that symbolise prosperity in the New Year. The year belongs to the people born in 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984,1996, 2008, 2020.

The Chinese prepare and celebrate the New Year by cleaning the house extensively. No cleaning is done on this day as they believe that good luck could also be washed away.

They do not use sharp tools like scissors and knives taking extra care that nothing falls or breaks in the house. They keep away from quarrel and argument.

On New Year’s eve, they burn fire crackers, light incense sticks, candles and bright lights, ring bells and wind chimes so that sound and fragrance made by them cleanses the previous year’s energy.

Debts are best paid off and all arguments and worries should be resolved lest they influence the good luck of the coming year.

The Chinese generally prefer not to cook on the New Year and normally prepare the food the day before.

Traditionally, a grand feast, including carp or salmon symbolic of longevity and intelligence is prepared. On this particular day, the Chinese do not refuse to accept oranges and mandarins as they think that they bring good luck in abundance. No meat is eaten on New Year’s day as a sign of respect for animals.

To be continued