Celebrating Chinese New Year With Your Partner – In a Pandemic

 

 

Photo by mentatdgt from Pexels

Chinese New Year is one of the most anticipated holidays in China and some of its neighboring countries in Asia. This yearly festival is believed to bring prosperity for the entire year when cultures and traditions are followed on the first day of the Chinese calendar. Chinese communities located in different countries celebrate this festival even if they are away from home.

The pandemic has obviously affected the way we live, and 2021 is no exception. Celebrating Chinese New Year for boyfriend or girlfriend is still possible even with the presence of this health threat. Since celebrations around the world are mostly canceled and held online, you can still celebrate the Lunar New Year together safely. If you are non-Asian or not accustomed to this event, this guide will help you understand and be more familiar with their customs and traditions. This can also be the best time to understand how your partner's family celebrates this day and what it means to them.

Start with a greeting!

Greet him/her by sending a message saying: 'Kung Hei Fat Choi!' (that's in Cantonese, Kiong Hee Huat Tsai! in Hookien, Gong Xi Fa Cai! in Mandarin), which means congratulations and wishing the person a prosperous new year. There are different dialects in China, and language translation apps can help you get the most accurate one for your partner's hometown.

Togetherness

Just like in the common January 1 New Year, being with your loved ones is the best way to celebrate any kind of special occasion. In a pandemic, make sure that you follow government-mandated rules if you would like to see each other physically. Once you have finally arrived at your desired meeting place, make sure to always wear a mask and observe social distancing. If you would like to visit his/her house, be extra safe by using hand sanitizer before greeting each other with a hug.

Understanding the red envelope

Red envelopes or 'hongbao' are believed to be originally given to children to driving out bad spirits. This red envelope usually contains a clean and crisp note and can be given to family, friends, and even colleagues. If your Chinese partner has given you one, remember that the amount inside the envelope isn't important - it is the luck that they wish you to have.

In the age of technology, digital hongbao's are now available to replace the traditional red envelopes. It can be received through your smartphone or other devices. This envelope means sharing the good luck to the receiver and can be given on birthdays and weddings as well.

Feast on Chinese Foods!

The common main course for Chinese New Year is a whole fish. Usually served steamed, this dish signifies 'surplus' as the translation of the word 'fish' in Chinese resembles it. Chinese people believe that if they have more savings left for the previous year, they can make more in the coming one. Remember to finish the fish from head to tail!

Desserts such as Sweet Glutinous Rice Cakes and Sweet Rice Balls represent sweetness and togetherness. If your partner gave you these foods, the 'stickiness' of the food means he/she wishes for a more intimate relationship in the coming year.

Other foods that can be served are Chinese dumplings, spring rolls, and round fruits (such as oranges) that signifies wealth. Noodles represent longevity.

Get Lucky!

Most Chinese people believe in lucky charms and Feng Shui (Chinese geomancy where it ensures that people live in harmony with those surrounding them). Show your interest in your partner's ethnicity by using these lucky charms and following the rules of Feng Shui, if you are open to the idea. Take a photo or video and send it to him/her, and for sure he/she will appreciate the effort.

In case you can't go out of the house...

If they have invited you to come over on this special day, but having hesitations to go out of the house because of the pandemic, properly apologize and make sure that you will visit on the next one. Stay connected with your partner online through a video call and learn more from the celebration.

The pandemic made us miss a lot of important celebrations last 2020. This 2021, we can celebrate the Chinese New Year with our partner by being very creative while staying safe from the threat of COVID-19. Whatever that you and your partner plan on this festive day, make sure to always proceed with caution and follow laws mandated in your locality.