CHINESE New Year is more than a festive occasion – it is a season of reflection, renewal, and harmony. Rooted in centuries of tradition, the Spring Festival continues to embody values of family, gratitude, and unity. As the old wisdom reminds us, “When harmony prevails, fortune follows”.
Origins rooted in renewal and resilience
The Chinese New Year, known as the Spring Festival in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, traces its origins back to the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BCE). In those early times, agrarian communities marked the close of winter and the arrival of spring with rituals of thanksgiving. Families gathered to honour deities and ancestors, offering sacrifices in hopes of favourable weather, abundant harvests, and protection from misfortune. These ceremonies were not only acts of devotion but also expressions of resilience and renewal, laying the foundation for traditions that continue to shape the festival today.
Over time, mythology enriched these practices. The legend of “Nian”, a fearsome beast said to terrorise villages, gave rise to customs that endure today. Loud noises, bright lights, and the colour red were believed to repel the creature, inspiring traditions such as firecrackers, lanterns, and red decorations – symbols of vitality and optimism. Beyond myth, Chinese New Year became a social institution centred on family unity, remembrance of ancestors, and the reaffirmation of harmony.
Reunion dinner
On New Year’s Eve, families gather for the reunion dinner, a meal rich in symbolism. Fish is served to represent abundance, while Yee Sang – the colourful prosperity toss salad – brings wishes of wealth and success. Each ingredient carries meaning, and the tossing together reflects unity and collective fortune.
The night comes alive with firecrackers, their thunder believed to chase away evil spirits and welcome prosperity
The tradition of angpow
One of the most enduring customs is the giving of angpow – red packets filled with money, usually from elders to children. The practice is more than a financial gift; it is a symbolic gesture of blessing, prosperity, and continuity. Elderly people believe that giving angpow ensures good fortune for the young while also reaffirming their own role as custodians of tradition.
The notes inside are expected to be crisp and new, symbolising a fresh beginning. Many elders queue at banks before the festival to obtain new notes, believing that crumpled or old currency might carry misfortune into the new year. The act of giving is accompanied by wishes for health, success, and happiness. For children, receiving ang pow is a joyful ritual, but for the elderly, it is a sacred duty – an affirmation that prosperity must be shared across generations.
In Sarawak, this tradition carries unique local colour. In villages and towns, children of all backgrounds – often receive angpow when visiting Chinese households. It is not uncommon for neighbours to remind their children to greet elders politely with “Gong Xi Fa Cai” before receiving their red packets. This exchange reinforces respect across communities and strengthens bonds of friendship.
Local memories of celebration
I recall vividly the Chinese New Year of the early 1960s, when I was a primary school student in Bintangor. My parents prepared weeks in advance for our open house. My mother made Hokkien-style egg rolls, homemade prawn and fish cakes, and other delicacies. On New Year’s Day, neighbours and friends – Chinese and Iban alike – visited us. I learned to speak Iban while serving cakes, curry chicken, beer, soft drinks, and wine. Those gatherings were more than festive meals; they were lessons in friendship and cultural exchange.
My brothers and sisters were dressed in bright red shirts which embodied joy and vitality, as red is a colour of luck and renewal. These customs are not mere rituals but living traditions, passed down to strengthen family bonds and community ties. As the proverb teaches, “A single spark can ignite a thousand flames”, and so each firecracker, each angpow, each red garment becomes part of a collective renewal. Truly, “Harmony brings wealth, unity brings strength”.
A celebration of unity and belonging
At its heart, Chinese New Year affirms values that resonate across cultures: gratitude, renewal, family and community. It reminds us that prosperity is most meaningful when shared, that relationships require care, and that unity is built through every day’s acts of respect and generosity.
In our community, these values are not only preserved; they are amplified. The festival becomes a shared celebration of what it means to belong to a community that honours diversity while nurturing common purpose. The giving of angpow is one such act: a simple packet that carries profound meaning, linking generations and communities together.
As we welcome this lunar new year, the spirit of Chinese New Year invites us to carry forward the qualities that define our community at its best: harmony, mutual respect, and the spirit in unity that we flourish when we celebrate together. Or, as the old wisdom says, “When people are of one heart, even mountains can be moved”. Wishing all our Sarawak Tribune readers a joyful celebration and a prosperous Year of the Horse.
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 drjohnlau@gmail.com.
