AT the last day of Chinese New Year, also the 15th day of the Lunar New Year and known as Yuan Xiao Festival, I accompanied my Mum and my sister to the River HongBao at the Esplanade via Singapore River. (It is very regretting that I cannot input the pictures into my blog for now, but I will find ways ...) I have many beautiful pictures at the great celebration and bazzar. To add to the climate, there was fireworks, sparking and beautifying the sky. There is also the giant God of Wealth who will sprinkle golden papers here and there onto the people. There are also 12 Zodiac Figures (Enshrined with the Chinese fables characters like the Monkey god and Madam white snake) and fortunes board of all the Zodiac in this year of Dog. The atmosphere was so dear as the New Year celebration is to be ushered off.
Yuan Xiao is the last day of Chinese New Year, and it has its own traditions and origins. Traditions are very much alike the Mid-Autumn Festival and Winter Solistice Festival, except for the mooncake part. Yuan Xiao is also associated as a type of Valentine Day for this is an opportune occasion for girls and boys to socialise and make friends (Do not mix up with the Seventh Day of the Seventh Month, The Cowherd and the Weaving Girl which is also known as Chinese Valentine Day). On this day, bachelor and bachelorette will gather at bazzars to watch lightings and laterns. Guessing games (especially words) competition will also be held. People do drink and eat and watch the Moon under the sky. As it is the 15th day, the moon is usually round and bright. And also, people do eat glutinious flour riceballs on this day.
Yuan Xiao is actually the name of a maid. During the reign of Emperor Wu Di of Han dynasty, there is a well-known adviser known as DongFang Shuo who saw Yuan Xiao trying to jump into the well to commit sucide in the imperial garden. Of course, DongFang Shuo stopped her and after enquiry, know that Yuan Xiao had tried to kill herself due to homesickness and the disconsolation. Yuan Xiao feel helpless as she was unable to do anything to go back to her hometown to visit her family and friends. DongFang Shuo then devised a plan to help Yuan Xiao and the other maids in the palace. He cooked up a story about the Chang'an (The capital of the Han Dynasty) disaster and fire on the 15th of Chinese New Year, and then with the help of Yuan Xiao who acted as a "messenger" from Heaven, spread the rumours throughout the villages and cities. The rumours spread wildly about the anger of Jade Emperor over the World and He who want to destroy the capitial. This caused some panic in citites. The emperor was stunned about the news and seek DongFang Shuo for advice. DongFang advised that the entire city will be lit up and be full of brightness, and firecrackers and fireworks be released. Lanterns had to be put up on all streets and alleys on the night of 15th. As the fire gods like to eat glutinous riceballs, all the villagers will to make the delicious item. DongFang Shuo suggested that since Yuan Xiao made the best glutinous rice balls, she was to carry a palace lantern with her name written on it to pay homage to the fire diety. DongFang Shuo also suggests releasing the maids and servants from the palace for the day of 15th by itself so as to induce gaiety in the palace itself. Beacuse of DongFang Shuo's brilliant plan, the maids especially Yuan Xiao were able to meet the family and reunited. Indeed, there are no "big fire" on the 15th, and DongFang Shuo petitioned the Emperor to allow the palace occupants and the common people to mingle. The sagacious Emperor gracefully agreed. Beacause the glutinous riceballs were made by Yuan Xiao on the 15th of the first Lunar month, the people also called the glutinous riceballs Yuan Xiao. The festival is also known as Yuan Xiao Festival. *(Glutinous riceballs are called Yuan Xiao in Northern China and Tang Yuan in Southern China) [Most of our parents come from the parts of Southern China, therefore until today, we still have the habit of calling glutinous riceballs as Tang Yuan in Sinagpore]
I was amazed and estatic about the River HongBao. I promised myself that I will go again if I am free.
Anyway, I am free and at home on the official day of Valentine ... I wonder whether I should be proud or to be sad to be a bachelor ... Heehee ... Anyway, I still have plenty of things to do. I have always said Career and Romance should come together, and neither should influence each other, and that the integrity of both should not be compromised. Nonetheless, if I got time, and no fate, then I should focus on career. For now, I am quite busy. I am more busy at home than at work in my NS.
Today, I have finally gone out to the road to drive. Of course, as this is the first time, it is not easy for me. I always caused the engine to die off and that I sill have not master the Art of driving smoothly. To drive is easy, but to drive smoothly is a skill. (Never mind, I will do it) I believe myself ...
There is a saying, there are plenty of suave grasses and beautiful flowers everywhere, so for all the singles, do not be disheartened. Be OPTIMISTIC !!! Believe in yourself and do it smoothly, and all will be smooth ...
No comments:
Post a Comment