Here it comes again! The noise: firecrackers, bangers, whatever accompanies the new Lunar New Year as celebrated across China right now, and by Chinese across the world.
It’s abated somewhat…earlier crackers right outside my apartment building were making such a din, like raindrops bashing hard on a corrugated iron roof, although a lot harder, causing a stunned shock to be all the more poignant. It’s a bit like distant gunfire as though the entire city is being blitzed.
Incessant noise is designed to drive away evil spirits, to cleanse the air of them, and also bad luck, to start the Year of the Dragon 2012 afresh. Actually, in Chinese mythology, the Dragon symbolises good luck and power, fitting as China is becoming more strong and powerful in today’s world.
It has, though, been a cold, wet and raw day, as I popped out earlier to soak up the atmosphere (excuse the pun) as folks have strung out their streams of red lanterns and maybe bought a red decoration or two from sellers brave enough to move their mobile trolleys festooned with decorous memorabilia from block to block or place to place.
The rest will be ensconced inside their homes, thankful to be with families, making handmade ‘Jaozi,’ dumplings – meat or vegetable fillings wrapped in dough then boiled. Dumplings, a staple food of the Chinese, means unity and getting together.
Chinese New Year: good luck, good fortune and prosperity. Let’s hope it’s a good year, a happy one and an interesting year for the inhabitants of this country…and also for others, too.
