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Jakarta Post

Every ornament has a meaning in the Chinese New Year

To calm the soul: A lady takes a closer look at a lantern at Glodok shopping hub in West Jakarta

Eny Wulandari (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Fri, February 12, 2010

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Every ornament has a meaning in the Chinese New Year

T

span class="inline inline-right">To calm the soul: A lady takes a closer look at a lantern at Glodok shopping hub in West Jakarta. Each accessories related to Imlek or Chinese New Year carries symbolic meaning, with lanterns believed to bring calmness and happiness. JP/P.J. Leo

The older the ethnic group, the richer the heritage it leaves behind for a new generation.  

The 5,000-year-old Chinese civilization is just one example.

It has plenty of symbols, many of which are coloring the town red and gold as Imlek, or Chinese New Year approaches.

The merchandize has seen crowds flocking to Glodok’s shopping hub in West Jakarta.

Both seasonal vendors and shops are selling essential items such as ang pao, tiny red envelopes to hold money, lanterns in various shapes and colors and lots of firecrackers.  

“Ang pao envelopes are the most sought-after item,” said seasonal seller Wawan Juwawan. He was selling each package of envelopes for Rp 2,500 (26 US cents), while the ornaments were sold for between Rp 15,000 and Rp 25,000.

They also sold unique hangers in form of firecrackers and fish, to be hung on the wall or in a mei hua tree.

Kue keranjang or basket cake, is a sweet, dark-red, round cake wrapped in brown and green plastic or banana leaf and topped with candy.

Chinese cultural observer Tedy Jusuf said that each ornament or accessory actually contained a deep meaning and symbol.

“Giving ang pao to our children signifies that we would like to help them by covering their school fees. While handing over the ang pao money to our employees shows our gratitude [for their performances],” said the retired Army general.

Lanterns, he added, were a must-have item for residents during the celebration.

“It is believed to calm us down and bring happiness,” said Tedy who is also the chairman of the Association of Chinese Clans (PSMTI).

He added the residents had chosen red as a background color for the ornaments because it depicted joy.

Another observer David Kwa, said the residents liked to place the mei hua trees, which symbolized mental endurance, in facing the change from winter to spring.

In China, Chinese New Year usually takes place during the two seasons.

“During the festivities the residents also love putting cards expressing their positive wishes in doors or windows,” David said.

During the celebration, he added, the public often lit firecrackers to frighten away evil spirits that were believed to attack them before the new year.

Legend has it that ancient Chinese people burned bamboo cuts, as the sound of the burned bamboo had the power to prevent people from being hurt by the mountainous creatures each time they came down to hunt food.

David said that kue keranjang and sweets were the main foods eaten during the festivities because of their long-lasting and adherent characteristics.

“We expect we can tighten our family relationships as symbolized in those dishes,” he said.

It’s reported the cake’s round shape symbolizes the universe and its sweet taste signifies the love that powers human relations. It is this underlying philosophy that explains why the cake is made to last months or even years.

David said Imlek reflected family reunion as many residents were willing to spend a lot of money to celebrate the event with their families at homes.

Aside from the aforementioned items, he said, the Chinese loved to beautify mei hua trees with small hangers in the forms of firecrackers, fish, and peanuts.

“Just like Christmas trees, they want to make the mei hua trees as attractive as possible,” he said.

He said that material success was not the only goal the residents were hoping during the Chinese New Year.

“We also want to be healthy and have peaceful family lives,” he said.

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