Millions of Indonesians of Chinese descent joyfully celebrated the Chinese Lunar New Year across the country on Thursday. They anxiously welcomed the arrival of the Wooden Goat on Wednesday night with fireworks and colorful lanterns. This Lunar Year is the Year of the Wooden Goat, named after one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. The Chinese New Year festival is steeped in symbolism and tradition.

Masses of people, irrespective of their religion, thronged to Chinese temples to pray for prosperity, luck and happiness. Family members and relatives gathered at their parents’ houses for family reunions and family dinners consisting mostly of long noodles, symbolizing long life. People opened their purses and gave alms to poor beggars at Chinese temples. Chinese people also honor ancestors and deities on this joyful day.

Children were the happiest because they got “angpao” (envelopes containing money): elders give children money and they will get a lot during this happy occasion.

People say the goat symbolizes virility and energy. So, hopefully, the Year of the Wooden Goat will bring prosperity and happiness to all our fellow citizens.

Gong Xi Fa Cai.

Bring me happiness: A devotee touches a statue of Mi Le Fo, known as the Happy Buddha, or the Laughing Buddha, during the Chinese New Year celebrations inside the Dharma Bhakti Temple in Jakarta on Thursday. Mi le means “kindness” and this Buddha is supposed to bring happiness and brightness to whoever touches him. (JP/Anggara Mahendra)

New Year ritual: Members of a Chinese family celebrate Chinese New Year by gathering and making many offerings at their homes. (JP/Awo)

Eat the money: A boy feeds money to a lion from a barongsai (lion dance troupe) at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport’s Terminal 1B in Tangerang, Banten, on Thursday. The lion dance was organized to celebrate the Chinese New Year 2556. (JP/Awo)

Millions of Indonesians of Chinese descent joyfully celebrated the Chinese Lunar New Year across the country on Thursday. They anxiously welcomed the arrival of the Wooden Goat on Wednesday night with fireworks and colorful lanterns. This Lunar Year is the Year of the Wooden Goat, named after one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. The Chinese New Year festival is steeped in symbolism and tradition.

Masses of people, irrespective of their religion, thronged to Chinese temples to pray for prosperity, luck and happiness. Family members and relatives gathered at their parents'€™ houses for family reunions and family dinners consisting mostly of long noodles, symbolizing long life. People opened their purses and gave alms to poor beggars at Chinese temples. Chinese people also honor ancestors and deities on this joyful day.

Children were the happiest because they got '€œangpao'€ (envelopes containing money): elders give children money and they will get a lot during this happy occasion.

People say the goat symbolizes virility and energy. So, hopefully, the Year of the Wooden Goat will bring prosperity and happiness to all our fellow citizens.

Gong Xi Fa Cai.

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