Moms and Dads, did you know that according to old Chinese belief, the Moon Minister of Marriage Yue Lao set you both up to marry many, many first-full-moon-of-the-year years ago?
Yes, it is said that this distinguished deity matches baby boys and girls on the 15th night after the Chinese New Year, when the first full moon of the year is out. He matches pairs by binding a magical red thread around them.
Here is something that describes this bonding found in old Chinese poems: "An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break."
Yue Lao is often depicted as an old man with flowing beard, holding a staff with orbs in one hand, and a scroll tied with red thread on the other. The scroll supposedly contains the names of all the matched pairs who would become husband and wife eventually. In other depictions he holds red thread or a red scarf.
Yue Lao also has temples, and people wishing for relationships and marriage visit his temple to honor him.
You may like to see ChildBook products about Lantern Festival and celebrating the Chinese New Year :
Lantern Festival is this Sunday, Feb.28. The Lantern Festival signals the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations and it is time to face the year with good intentions.
In Taiwan, people write prayers on their lanterns, wishing for good health, love and happiness. Then they let the paper lanterns fly off into the night sky.
Here is a video taken during the Lantern Festival of 2007 in Pingshi, Taiwan by Diagonal View UK.
When the first full moon of the year goes up 15 days after the Chinese New Year, the Lantern Festival is celebrated. This year, the Lantern Festival is on Feb. 28, 2010.
It is believed that the gods are in full force during this lucky time. It comes as no surprise that there are so many legends about the Lantern Festival.
For now we will look at 3 of the other more active dieties expected to circulate during this special night :
- The God of Destiny, Taiyi, is all set to fulfill desires. - Mazu, the Goddess of the Sea, is all ready to accept wishes, so families throw offerings to rivers. - The Moon Minister of Marriages matches baby girls and boys, who will marry who when they grow up.
Taiyi is the god of heaven who controls human destiny. He has 16 dragons who can do his bidding should he wish to inflict drought, storm, famine or pestilence on the human race. During the lantern festival, splendid ceremonies are dedicated to Taiyi in exchange for good health or good weather throughout the year.
Mazu is the Goddess of the Sea and grants wishes to families. Families dedicate lanterns and an assortment of offerings so that their wishes may be granted.
What to toss to the river as offering for wishes to the Goddess of the Sea:
Oranges - Prosperity for husbands Apples - Luck for Wives Longan - to have kids Red Dates - to have all good things in life Pebbles - to have a coins Coins - for more prosperity, treasures.
The Lantern Festival is also the time for the Moon Minister of Marriage to pair up baby boys and girls. It is the day marriages are made on the moon. He binds a boy and a girl with a magical red thread. Years later, when they are grown, they will meet on a night of the first full moon. They will feel that they are fated to their heaven-on-earth connection.
Yes, the Lantern Festival is a night of enchantment and happy wishes, indeed.
In my family the big dinner is Chinese New Year's Eve, so there was no overlap between Chinese New Years and Valentines Day. But, being a Father took priority over Valentines Day, so my wife and I treated my daughter to a very nice breakfast for a late Birthday Gift. On her actual Birthday we went to Cal Poly's, The Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch. Great restaurant that is student run and lives the educational experience of Cal Poly's learn by doing.
My Chinese New Year Dinner (my Mother in law did an amazing job cooking!
- Fish (2 of them) - Noodles - Taiwanese Sausage (she makes it). Beautifully laid out on lettuce leaves. - Deep Fried Sweet Rice in an egg roll - Squid - Beef Ribs (I cooked this with my wife). - Rice - Sweet Potato Tempura - Chicken - Bok Choi (green vegetable)
I wish I had taken a photo. It was an incredible amount of food that would compare favorably to any Thanksgiving dinner.
Feng shui masters are finding an especially receptive audience for money matters after a year of massive losses for banks.
WSJ
Great read!
This quote just got my attention:
"The incoming U.S. president and [Treasury] secretary were both born in the Year of the Ox," said one client. "Is that a problem?"
Mr. Yeo's answer: Yes. The pair of oxen in charge of the U.S. economy could be an accident waiting to happen. Hold out until after January 2010 before investing in the U.S., he advised.
Week Prior - Resolve old debts. - Serious Spring Cleaning - Paper image of Kitchen Got who reports on family is replaced with new one. - Lucky paper hung with declarations of good wishes.
New Year's Eve - Family dinner - lots of symbolism in the banquet foods. - Red Envelopes are given to children and to the older - Fire crackers to welcome the new year and scare away the demon Nian.
1st Day - Day of resting, visiting ancestors, and temple visit.
2nd Day - Day of leisure - Married women visit their parents.
3rd Day Floors swept to bring in the new year and out with the old
And then last week in the car Paris said, "Mommy, I wish that I was born in China. I really want to be Chinese."
I was entirely unprepared for this comment, so rather than offer up words of wisdom, I simply asked, "Why?"
"I want to celebrate the Chinese New Year, like the Chinese do. Mommy, we have to get haircuts and clean the house before the new year celebration starts. And I want a red envelope. And did you know that it's the Year of the Ox? And we need new clothes. And we need to have a special dinner with Chinese food..."
"Sweetheart, you don't have to be Chinese to celebrate Chinese New Year. We can celebrate the holiday."
I am getting a huge amount of traffic from around the world due to Chinese New Year . My section on Chinese New Year is doing well. Lots of people enjoying:
