New Year, New Hopes, And a plate full of Tradition

Essay Writing Competition 2024
Category: 12-15 years
- Commendation -

Senior category: Commendation

New Year, New Hopes, And A Plate Full Of Tradition - written by Chang Kah Xun

New Year, New Hopes, And A Plate Full Of Tradition

I woke up to the faint sound of furniture moving, and my mother calling me down simultaneously. I was getting my senses together, and pieced the clues together: It was Chinese New Year Eve. I opened the door with a loud creak and walked out of my room.

At that moment, the rich fragrance of cooked foods and pastries surrounded my senses. I took a slow stroll down the steps, each step revealing another red decoration piece on the wall. As I took my last step, I was greeted by my parents - they were preparing the food.

The house was clean, practically spotless from the sweeping the day before, the walls and ceiling were covered in decoration: banners, paper cuttings for luck and happiness, and lit lanterns - not a single wall left untouched.

On that evening, before sunset, my family congregated around the table, preparing for the reunion dinner. One by one, a family member arrived at the dinner. It was the only day of the year where I could meet my other relatives - they would be too busy for any other normal day.

The plate of yee sang (or Prosperity Toss: a colourful salad) was placed at the centre of the table. Everybody started tossing the yee sang, their arms far ahead, shouting lucky phrases for good fortune for the year ahead.

The next morning, I was woken awake by the sounds of firecrackers popping in my neighbourhood. I immediately put on my red shirt and headed downstairs, where I was greeted by my parents, who were also dressed in red. They raised their arms and gave me the red packet, simultaneously saying "Gong Xi Fa Cai" which means "Congratulations and be prosperous". I held the red packet with two of my hands, saying "Thank you" at the same time.

That same day, my parents brought me to a Chinese temple, where we witnessed the exhilarating lion dance performance. The performance began with the lions leaping and twirling around - each manoeuvre putting me into awe, followed by the loud hits of the drum, each hit synchronised with the beating of my heart. Everybody was cheering on as the lions performed such precise movements - the movements were sure to drive the evil spirits away.

The day went on as my family visited their friends’ house, handing out red packets and oranges, and enjoying delicious, savoury foods and snacks. The atmosphere was clear, and the air was filled with energy.

As the sun started setting, everybody prepared their firecrackers. Everybody waited in anticipation, looking at the sky with a bright stare. Soon after, the first firecrackers were launched into the sky, the pops echoed throughout the residential area. They filled the skies as it turned dark - not a single minute without popping for half an hour.

It wasn’t a single neighbourhood launching crackers, multiple neighbourhoods fired them up into the sky, some even firing at the same time. The dark skies were overwhelmed by the bright colours and deafening sounds of pop, the latter was certain to drive the remaining spirits away and welcome a thriving year ahead.

This is what I love about Chinese New Year; It wasn’t just about a family reunion and a celebration, it was about honouring your ancestors and wishing you prosperity and good luck and fortune.

Every food eaten during Chinese New Year has a positive meaning: fish for abundance of food, dumplings for wealth, spring rolls for prosperity and tangerines for good luck. At the end of the day, I am grateful to celebrate this event with my family.

In the Age category 12-15 years, Kah Xun's lovely essay is commended.

Congratulations on your insightful essay! Thank you for sharing your story with all of us!

Kah Xun attends Collinz International School Glenmarie in Selangor, Malaysia. Kah Xun's home language is Mandarin, English as second language.