Happy Lunar New Year
Every year in mid-January, I Google search “when is Lunar New Year 202_?” And I set aside that day to celebrate with family.
This tradition of celebration started from as young as I can remember. Eating certain foods, attending special festivities, and the best part, receiving lucky money in red envelopes.
Embedded in all parts of this celebration is the running theme of luck. Luck in the Chinese culture represents a desire for prosperity, happiness, and harmony.
For instance, the colour red symbolizes good luck, fortune, and joy. So red lanterns are hung on doors to ward against bad luck and red envelopes are gifted to send happiness and good wishes to children.
The lion and dragon dances, drums, and red firecrackers are used to back away evil spirits and draw in prosperity and good fortune. The zodiac animal this year, the dragon represents power, luck, and success.
Oranges, fish, dumplings, candy, and almond cookies symbolize good luck and happiness. And the list goes on.
Now, I know most of these things are rooted in fun, tradition, and superstition. So, I don’t take them seriously.
But what is significant is the idea of wishing each other good luck. To me, it’s synonymous with blessing someone. It reminds me of the scene in Sleeping Beauty where the three fairies fly over the crib of the newborn Princess Aurora to bless her with 3 wishes.
In fact, many cultures and religions have such rituals to bless and wish luck upon people, may it be at birth, a certain age, or a milestone.
Wishing someone luck is a beautiful and loving ritual that I think is lost on many of us in our busy lives. We forget to slow down to bless each other, to wish each other luck, and to hope the best for each other.
How lovely would it be in our relationships if we would be mindful of this act, so we can consistently give and receive blessings as we go about our day.
So today I wish you good luck! May your year be blessed with health, joy, and goodness.
