Chinese New Year Traditions

1.Hanging Decorations and Couplets

Link:  http://www.mywebvalue.net/bathroom/chinese-new-year-living-room-decorations/

Credit: mywebvalue

During the festive period, you’ll probably see stores and homes all decked up for Chinese New Year, but these embellishments do more than just beautify the place—they’re of special meaning and significance!

Red-coloured items are believed to scare off the Nian (a vicious monster according to Chinese mythology) and the yellow/gold-coloured items represent wealth. Decorations such as Chinese character paper cuttings, lanterns and flowers typically depict auspicious words and the fortune deity is believed to bring fortune to families and businesses.

2.Elders Giving Red Packets

Link: https://www.superadrianme.com/design/ang-baos-red-packets-2018-dog-lai-see/

Credit: SuperAdrianMe

If there’s one thing good about being a child who celebrates the Lunar New Year, receiving red packets would be one of the top few reasons!

Traditionally, these red packets (filled with a token sum of money) are presented by the elders to the young to usher in good fortune for the year ahead.

Usually, the token sum would be an even number (because the Chinese believe that good things come in pairs). Most times, they’ll end with number 8 as its pronunciation in Chinese sounds similar to the word 'Fa', which means to make a fortune!

Over the years, companies have given the traditional ang bao a twist with unique designs. This year, Royal Plaza on Scotts designed a pineapple red packet for the Chinese New Year and you can stand a chance to bring them home! Pineapple is also known as “Ong Lai” in the Hokkien dialect, which means “Prosperity is coming our way”. The pineapple is therefore an auspicious symbol of good fortune for the Chinese.

To find out more, head on over to our Facebook page  for more details!* (The giveaways end on 11 February 2018, 2359hr GMT+8) 

3.  Lion Dance Performances

Link: https://www.dawn.com/news/1238184

Credit: Dawn

As with any other celebration, there’s no lack of a good dance during the Lunar New Year! But there’s more to this boogie than just having a good time.

Historically, the Lion Dance is believed to ward off evil spirits. Today, the dance today is performed at various Chinese festivals, special celebrations or even important occasions to usher in good luck and fortune.

During the Chinese New Year, lion dance troupes typically perform the traditional custom of "cai qing" (採青)—which literally means “plucking the greens”—where the “lion” retrieves the auspicious lettuce (a homonym for wealth and fortune) and red packet typically hung on a pole.

If you want to witness this traditional performance for yourself, just come by to the Royal Plaza on Scotts’ entrance on Wednesday, 21 February 2018  at 9am!

4.  Visiting Chinatown

Credit: Singapore Tourism Board

Chinatown may already be one of the spots that you’d like to visit when you are in Singapore. When it comes to the Chinese New Year, you have to pay a visit to the area! There’s no better place to embrace the festivities than at the heart of it all—Chinatown !

This 2018, you’ll get to catch handmade lantern sculptures of dogs (the zodiac animal of the year), flowers and greetings at the annual street light-up. Visit the bustling Festive Street Bazaar with stalls selling a variety of items from decorative items, to clothing and preserved fruits. Catch Chinese cultural performances and dance performances by local entertainers and troupes from China.

Plus, you can share your experience with your loved ones abroad since free Wi-Fi is available throughout the Chinatown area!

Getting There (By MRT): Chinatown MRT Station, 4 stops from Orchard MRT Station (3-minute walk from Royal Plaza on Scotts Orchard Hotel)

Getting There (By Bus): 25-minute ride from Royal Plaza on Scotts Orchard Hotel; Board Bus 54, 143 or 190 at Far East Plaza and alight at Chinatown Point

5.  Feasting in Food & Snacks

Link: https://www.foodeology.com/interesting/lunar-new-year-in-singapore/

Credit: Foodeology

During the Chinese New Year, certain ingredients, food and snacks are consumed because of their symbolic meaning s.

From the dumplings and spring rolls at reunion dinner, to the mandarin oranges and pineapple tarts sitting on the snack table, there really is no better way to embrace the festivities than by devouring these delicacies! After all, there are only so many times you can proudly proclaim that you’re feasting in the name of welcoming a prosperous and auspicious year ahead! Find out more about their significance here .

If you’re in Singapore celebrating the Chinese New Year, you cannot miss out on the lo hei or yu sheng!

While the dish has its roots in China, a group of prominent chefs gave the dish a fancy twist with colourful ingredients in the 1960s. Today, this modified colourful variation of the lo hei is enjoyed together with friends and family during the Chinese New Year.

Diners will say a roll-call of auspicious sayings as they toss the raw fish salad with chopsticks. It is popularly believed that the higher the toss, and the louder you say the auspicious phrases, the better the fortune and prospects in the year ahead!

This 2018, our talented chefs from award-winning Carousel restaurant created a healthier Hawaiian Poké-inspired rendition of the lo hei! To find out more about the special lo hei, click here .

P.S. You’ll even enjoy 15% off your yu sheng takeaway when you foot the bill with your AMEX, CIMB, Citibank, DBS/POSB or UOB debit or credit card!

Address: Royal Plaza on Scotts, Lobby Level, 25 Scotts Road, Singapore 228220

Opening Hours: 6:30am - 10am, 12pm - 2pm, 3:30pm - 5:30pm and 6:30pm - 9:30pm daily