Gong Xi Fa Cai (Kung Hei Fat Choi) - and a Happy New Year. A big welcome to the honest and faithful Dog...
Whatever the sign, we're all affected by the arrival of the new animal and should ensure that our homes and businesses are in as good order as possible to greet the new year.
Traditionally, all financial matters, including debts and outstanding taxes, have to be settled by the new year.
If these cannot be repaid, then the person owing the dosh shouldn't show their face until new year's day and then, if lucky, they may get a further three months' credit (note: must run that one past my bank manager).
The festivities officially last 15 days, although realistically four or five are the pared-down London version.
It's traditionally a time to visit family members and pay respect to one's elders. Millions of people therefore move around China to catch up with their nearest and dearest.
Feasting and dressing up are also massively important and preparations go on for weeks beforehand.
With the onset of winter, vegetables, fish, poultry and meats are dried, smoked, pickled, or salted.
Two weeks prior to new year, families call on their neighbours to make a large cake (made from rice), using the household's choice听 of filling and turned out in the family mould (such as the shape of a peach, or a Chinese letter).
lavish affair
The different dishes served up are also significant to the very superstitious Chinese.
Ingredients are significant, not necessarily for their taste but for what they represent. For instance, peaches represent immortality, duck a harmonious marriage, prawns laughter and oranges wealth and prosperity.
New Year's Eve is celebrated with a vast spread of grub, between 10-15 courses, so it's a time to pace yourself.
Cold starters are followed by soup and a main course of meat, or fish and - as it's considered bad luck to serve parts of an animal or fish - whole beasts are on offer.
Any large sharks should therefore be safe for this banquet, unless it's a huge family! This, as you've probably gathered, is a lavish affair, so lobster is often served.
Steamed fresh scallops with garlic or black bean sauce, braised dried shrimps with pine nuts and vermicelli, roast crispy suckling pig, or whole steamed sea bass are dishes which fit the entire beast requirement.
It's also why chickens are served with their feet and heads intact and noodles are dished out uncut to represent long life.
Food is so important that the God of the Kitchen is sent to heaven sevend days before New Year to feed back (I know, terrible pun) the activities of each household to the Jade Emperor.
lucky money
Red is seen everywhere, on scrolls and banners proclaiming good wishes on walls, doors and windows, and children are given 'lucky money' in red envelopes.
So, as you applaud the Lion Dance as it snakes around central London, or as you rummage through the excellent Chinese supermarkets in Soho and on the Edgware Road or in Colindale, keep everything crossed that the Dog is enjoying a peaceful year!
The Bardenmeister
