Chinese New Year Amulets and Rituals
With the Chinese New Year just around the corner, many people are once again interested in this culture and finding out why they follow the lunar calendar, what their horoscope is like, or what traditions are followed. The Chinese New Year (农历新年, nónglì xīnnián) is also known as the Spring Festival (春节, chūnjíe), and begins on the new moon closest to the day between the winter solstice (December 21-22) and the spring equinox (March 20-21). It dates back to 2697 BC. The celebration lasts about 15 days, although people usually take only one week off from work. It extends from the Eve (除夕, chúxī) to the Lantern Festival (元宵节, 元宵節, yuánxiāojié).
Like every beginning of a cycle, the Chinese people also developed different rites and superstitions to ensure that they entered this new period free of all the bad things of the previous year, and predisposed to all the good things to come. Many Westerners take advantage of this beginning of the Lunar Year to apply Chinese customs on these dates, as a second restart after their own New Year rituals. Some are more complex to follow than others, but today, in many places there are Chinese communities where you can enjoy parades and food, and globalization has made it easier to obtain different figures and amulets.
Ritual and spiritual cleansing.
Cleaning the home, the workplace, changing the wardrobe, taking a good and relaxing bath is considered a way to enter the New Year better. During these dates, cleansing should also be spiritual, so, in addition to carrying out purifications with incense or holy water, we also try to start the year with the vast majority of matters closed: reconciling with friends and relatives, finishing all possible work projects, etc., confirming commitments and recovering and maintaining contact with loved ones. Likewise, offerings are made to the gods and ancestors. Candles and incense will ward off evil spirits.
Among other superstitions, the first person you see in the New Year is important, as well as the first words you hear. Dreams from that night are also important. Many people have a reading of the future on these dates, to find out what the year will bring them. In many places it is also customary to throw a bucket full of water out the window, or, on the contrary, to collect herbs or flowers (especially if they are yellow) and put them in the home.
Fu amulets and animals
It is common to see red and gold ornaments on these dates, symbols of prosperity, but above all, ornaments on doors and windows with the character Fu (福), which means "happiness." It is often framed in a red diamond, but it can also be seen hanging upside down. The reason for this is that when it is upside down it can be read as: good luck is coming.
Bats (蝠) have a pronunciation very similar to Fu, so it is also a symbol of good luck. Fish ornaments can also be seen, and it is because fish is eaten on these dates, because several fish have names that sound similar to words of good omen. For example, small carp, (鲫鱼 jìyú) sounds similar to good luck (吉, jí); catfish (鲶鱼 niányú), sounds the same as "surplus" 年余 (nián yú), so it is eaten hoping to end the year with a surplus of money. The same is true for some fruits, such as the orange 橙 (chéng), which sounds similar to success (成), or grapefruit (柚, yòu), which sounds similar to the verb to have (有, yǒu).
Food
Other common foods are spring rolls, sweet rice balls and cakes, dumplings and noodles, which symbolize longevity.
Rice, on the other hand, symbolizes multiplicity. A widespread ritual for these dates is to fill a cup with rice and keep it for 10 days, and then light a white candle. When the candle goes out, this rice is used for cooking. Sometimes one of the aforementioned red envelopes is kept inside this rice.
The figure of the animal of the year
As could be seen in the article on Chinese Astrology, the Chinese zodiac calendar, and in general that of the eastern countries, contains twelve animals that take turns year after year, defining the character of the year the animal that presides over it. Thus, the year is defined, for example, by the hoarding attitude of the rat, the slowness of the ox, the strong blows of the tiger, the gentleness of the rabbit, the energy of the dragon, the coldness of the snake, the self-sufficiency of the horse, the activity of the goat, the skill of the monkey, the pride of the rooster, the confidence of the dog and the familiarity of the pig. Although all these animals also have a negative side to their personality, it is believed that having a figure or image of the animal of the year in the home attracts the positive things of the same, being in tune with that year.
The dragon and the lion
In addition to being a zodiac sign, the dragon is a symbol of wisdom, power and protection in Chinese culture. During the New Year, its presence becomes twice as important, since evil spirits (Nian) can take advantage of the situation to attack. That is why the dragon dance (Wu Long) and parades with music and percussion drive away the Nian. This is based on the legend of the Nian Shòu (年兽), a sea monster that tormented people at the beginning of each year, until it was confronted by creating a great uproar, and moving enormous bamboo and cloth dragons that seemed to fly.
The figure of a dragon in the home always attracts good fortune. It is usually placed inside houses, with the same purpose of attraction and protection as the dragons used in parades. Following Feng Shui, its placement should be somewhere below eye level, so as not to "face" it. It should not be placed on doors or windows, as it should protect the home and should not be placed outside. Feng Shui says that it should preferably face east, and be made of jade, or failing that, that it should be accompanied by some crystal.
The lion used in parades, on the other hand, is not common in figures or amulets. These lions should not be confused with the Shishi (石獅), the stone lions that guard temples and palaces, also known as Fu lions/dogs, which symbolize prosperity and defense. The Lion Dance (舞狮, wushí), is related to martial arts and the Chinese New Year. Martial arts schools were (and still are in many places) in charge of lion dances, as it requires that those who move them be very strong and agile people, since they are only moved by two people, who, for certain movements, must carry each other under the structure. The lions in the parade are meant to scare away the Nian and bring prosperity. The lions walk through the streets and "eat" red envelopes given to them by the people, as well as lettuce or cabbage with envelopes inside, which are hung high up so that the lions can stand on two legs or jump to reach them - that is, so that the athletes inside can show off their skills. Then, they spit and scatter the lettuce leaves among the people to also spread good luck. Finally, when the parade is about to end, the lions "stick out their tongues", which is really a long message of fortune and prosperity. The parades always end with firecrackers and fireworks, which scare away evil spirits with their light and noise.
Red envelopes or Hongbao (红包)
What are the red envelopes that the lions eat? Well, envelopes that contain money and good wishes. In the case of parades, it is a way of making a donation in gratitude to the schools that prepare the lion dances. But red envelopes in China, and in much of Asia, are a widespread gift at New Year, as this is a way of wishing a good start to the year. It is a gift intended above all for children, young people and singles, or in other words, it is a gift from older and experienced people blessing those younger than them. However, it has also become widespread for companies to make their extra gift in the form of a red coupon.
In one of its names, yansuiqian (压岁钱), we discover the myth by which eight copper coins in a red envelope managed to scare away the demon Sui. Hence, perhaps, the fusion of money with protection. However, nowadays they are filled only with paper money, and never with real coins. Paper money should always be cleaner and newer, like the coming year, however, coins in circulation are charged with too much energy, so they should not be given as gifts. The amount to be given is culturally integrated, but in case of ignorance, it should preferably be even, except 4 and any of its multiples - because 4 (四, sì), sounds the same as dying (死, sǐ).
Red envelopes usually have golden characters written on them that invoke blessings and good fortune. Specific wishes about love, health, or work can also be written. Among other rituals, there are those who put a Chinese talisman, such as knotted coins, in a red envelope that they keep in their homes for a month after, or until the following year, believing that it will keep them in good luck. It is also placed near rice, to "multiply and preserve" luck.
Figures and amulets
In the East, sculptures of dragons, Zhaocai Mao (招財貓), better known by their Japanese name, Maneki Neko, or Three-Legged Frogs, (蟾蜍) or Money Frog, Buddhist Hotei, etc. are common in homes. Coins, money trees and mystical knots are also common. They do not have a specific link with the New Year, however, many people, especially in the West, associate them with each other and at the beginning of the year they become star products.
Chinese Coin Talisman
Since ancient times there have been coins intended for use as amulets to attract fortune, and during the Chinese New Year many people take advantage of the opportunity to use them and start with the best possible fortune. Chinese coins are also characterized by having a hole in the center, which has been associated with the guard of swords. Since swords are a recurring amulet in ancient China, having a "guard" of a sword at home guaranteed protection. The union of several coins through a red thread is the most common amulet, and even today in some places it is called "coin sword". However, the coins were actually transported like this and joined in these batches to count them more easily.
Coins may contain symbols that wish for good luck, such as cháng mìng fù guì (長命富貴, longevity, wealth and honour), but also other symbols of good luck, such as dragons, pomegranates, rhinoceroses, fish, birds, shells, wheels...
The coins must be joined together in a number other than 4, and are usually hung near the entrances of houses, or carried as an amulet. One coin symbolises balance, the union of heaven and earth. Two coins symbolise communication and exchange. Three coins symbolise fidelity and marital union. However, in Feng Shui there are three standard coins for the creation and activation of this talisman, being propitious for all purposes (love, work, health, money...), depending on where it is placed (bag, purse, door...). Five coins are protective. Six coins symbolise friendship and family. Seven coins symbolise friendship and family. Eight coins symbolize the greatest prosperity, fortune and luck. Nine coins represent the universe and can help in every way.
You can learn more about the Chinese Yansheng coins in the article we dedicated to the blog.
Mystic knot
Most amulets are tied with red thread, as red is a color of life and of the Chinese people themselves, and the adornment includes the infinite knot or mystic knot. This knot seems to have no beginning or end, which makes one think that it attracts an eternal flow of good energy, money, health, love and happiness. Its holes and points remind one of the number 8 and the infinity symbol, however this seems to be a more modern interpretation. However, it is true that the most common knot is 64 points, that is, 8x8.
The infinite knot is known throughout Asia and seems to have its origin in Hindu culture, being the symbol of the goddess of wealth Shri/Lakshmi. However, in China it is not associated with any deity, and its use has spread thanks to the Feng Shui culture, which considers that it should be placed in the southwest corner of houses or rooms, where the talisman is most active. New Year is considered to be the opportune moment to place or renew it and request its favors. In the West, many people buy or braid them on these dates.
The money tree
The money tree (摇钱树, yáo qián shù), is a decorative element that has evolved in its use in the West. A legend tells that a farmer found a seed, planted it and watered it with the sweat and blood of his hard work. The tree grew and when it bore fruit it was gold treasures. In the end, it is a moral that it is effort that leads to success. However, in Asia there were legends of certain trees that when shaking their branches, "dropped" coins and jewels.
In Sanguo Zhi (三國志), or History of the Three Kingdoms, another legend appears, in which a man found a strip of coins (remember that Chinese coins were transported tied together) and left it hanging on a tree, so that if the person who had lost it returned, he could easily find it. However, the people who passed by later on the road interpreted it as an offering, and began to hang more coins on the branches, asking for prosperity. For some scholars and historians, it has its origin in Paulownia trees (桐, tóng), whose leaves turn yellow, reminiscent of bronze coins (銅, tóng).
Money trees should not contain real money, but rather replicas of coins, and may include figurines of lucky animals, such as dogs, deer, bats, phoenixes, elephants, etc., or fruits that are considered to bring good luck, such as mandarin or pomegranate. Although the use of a money tree in the home or business is popular, originally it seemed more intended for funeral purposes, so that the deceased would never lack money. Today they can be easily found in many places and decoration and esoteric stores, and made of many different materials (even LEGO pieces).
Pietro V. Carracedo Ahumada – pietrocarracedo@gmail.com
Bibliography:
-Belfield N.D., The Folk-lore of China: And Its Affinities with that of the Aryan and Semitic Races Trübner and Company,1876
-Chambers, C, Chinese New Year. Ed. Evans. 2005
-Song, L. Chinese Festival Culture Series-The Spring Festival. Paths International, 2015.
Related posts:
> Chinese Astrology. Astrological Notions (III).
> The Five Elements. East and West
