‘The Fire Horse rewards those who move first, believe in themselves and learn as they go.’-Unknown
Today is the sixth day of the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Fire Horse.
Judging from the number of shops that were still closed as I drove past Tabuan Jaya, a suburban satellite town of Kuching City, on my way to work yesterday morning, many Chinese business owners were still in a festive mood.
The food court in Tabuan Laru, a residential area where I stay, closed for business on Feb 16, the eve of the Chinese New Year, and only opened on Feb 20, the fourth day of the Chinese New Year.
Even then, its fast food kitchen was still closed, forcing me to order noodles for my lunch and dinner from a hawker stall there. I was looking forward to eating lots of vegetables after indulging in heavy, festive meals featuring chicken, pork and beef on the eve and the first day of the Chinese New Year. Imagine how disappointed I was!
The fourth day of the Chinese New Year is traditionally seen as the time when daily routines, including business operations, begin to resume after the intense family gatherings and visiting in the first three days.
According to folklore, the Kitchen God returns from heaven on the fourth day to oversee households. Businesses often open or set up offerings on this day to welcome him back, ensuring his protection and blessings for a smooth business year.
The Kitchen God, also known as the Stove God, is a central Chinese deity overseeing family behaviour and morality from the kitchen hearth. The most important of a plethora of Chinese domestic gods that protect the hearth and family, the Kitchen God is recognised in Chinese folk religion, Chinese mythology and Taoism.
Considered the guardian of the home, he reports yearly to the Jade Emperor on the family’s conduct. It is believed that the deity returns to Heaven on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunisolar month, just before Chinese New Year. The Jade Emperor, emperor of the heavens, either rewards or punishes a family based on the deity’s yearly report.
Many business owners believe the Five Roads of Wealth (Gods of Wealth) return on the fourth day. So opening the shop that day is a symbolic way to welcome fortune, prosperity and success for the coming year.
The opening of the shops is often accompanied by fireworks or lion dances to ensure that the business year starts on a positive note.
Even though I’m a Christian, I find such traditional beliefs about the Kitchen God interesting.
Yesterday morning, the fast food kitchen at the Tabuan Laru food court finally opened for business. I paid RM7.50 for my meal of plain rice, fried fish, French beans and stewed pumpkins and RM2.80 for a glass of hot coffee.
Both my younger sister, Ah Lan, and I believe in eating well before a hard day in the office. In our opinion, proper nutrition provides the fuel needed to tackle demanding tasks and prevents the mental fatigue and irritability that come from hunger.
Saturdays and Sundays for me are always hectic because there are many pages to clear within a limited time frame.
My colleagues and I returned to the office after a three-day break from the eve of Chinese New Year.
On Chinese New Year eve, I had a reunion lunch first with my nephew, Ah Kiong, and his family in a restaurant and then a reunion dinner with my son, his family, his father-in-law and mother-in-law at his house.
The food at the reunion lunch and dinner was chosen for its lucky meaning and homophonic connections to positive outcomes. Key dishes included fish (surplus), noodles (longevity), pork leg and tangerines (luck).
At my nephew’s reunion lunch, we had Yee Sang, a vibrant raw fish salad popular in Malaysia and Singapore. It was tossed high in the air by family members, with higher tosses signifying greater prosperity.
At my son’s reunion dinner, there were many Malaysian-style dishes like Chicken Curry, a fragrant, rich curry reflecting intermarriage cultures in Malaysia, Beef Rendang, a rich dry curry stewed in coconut milk and spices until the liquid evaporates, Satay, grilled meat skewers served with a savoury, nutty peanut sauce, and Fish Maw Soup, a luxurious and nourishing Chinese delicacy to symbolise prosperity and health.
Of course, at both events, we took group photos to capture the joyous moments and share with other family members far away. These photos will act as ‘time machines’, allowing us to revisit memories and feel connected to loved ones, years after the events.
I spent the first day of the Chinese New Year at Ah Kiong’s house. He ordered a Grab car for me. Now, that is a very helpful and safe way to get around.
As the passenger, I just waited for the driver in front of my house and confirmed the car details before getting in. Terisa, Ah Kiong’s wife, handled the payment.
I find some Grab drivers are friendly; they will make small talk with you. The driver of the Grab car Terisa ordered on the eve of the Chinese New Year was deaf; he was quiet all the way. Both Terisa and I didn’t know he was deaf and couldn’t talk until we checked his details much later.
Anyway, it is good for Grab to level the playing field for the deaf by sourcing and training them for employment opportunities. Do you know that studies suggest deaf drivers are less prone to accidents, making them safe drivers?
For his Chinese New Year open house on the first day, Ah Kiong resorted to professional catering services. He ordered many Malaysian-style dishes including Fried Noodles, Beef Rendang and Chicken Curry.
Ah Kiong and his wife welcomed a never-ending flow of visitors comprising their colleagues from all walks of life. Many came with their children.
Before the arrival of visitors, all the Liong family members including yours truly were served bowls of steaming hot mee sua (wheat vermicelli) soup with chicken thighs and red-coloured eggs. Terisa happily cooked the mee sua with ginger, chicken, sesame oil and red wine.
Those who were still hungry after eating the mee sua could turn to the food cooked by the professional catering services or munch on the Chinese New Year tidbits kept in airtight containers on the tables.
I went back to my own house in the evening with my son and his family after they attended Ah Kiong’s open house.
I spent the second day of the Chinese New Year relaxing at home. I went back to work on the third day.
With the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Fire Horse is officially here.
This rare, 60-year cycle pairing of the Horse sign with the Fire element promises a fast-paced, intense and transformative year.
Because the horse symbolises vigour, may your dreams, my friends, take off at full speed in this Year of the Horse. May your efforts be rewarded generously.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at adelinel888@gmail.com.
