Spring Festival Captures Chinese Heart and Soul

"For the vast majority of Chinese, the Spring Festival is the biggerst happening of this and every other year."

Chinese New Year is a time of celebration like no other. It is a time of reunion. Of family fealty reinforced. Friendships and furniture renewed. Of a more rapid beat in the hearts of Chinese everywhere. And, of course, it's when the mantra "good luck" is endlessly repeated to all and sundry by all and sundry, and when symbolic lycee packets are scattered like snowflakes.

For the vast majority of Chinese, the Spring Festival is the biggest happening of this and every other year.

Festival time sees a sudden blaze of color at every turn. Sidewalk tables are covered with bright red paper, and couplets expressing good fortune. And along with seasonal decorations, lunar symbols and almanacs are on view in virtually every home and shop window. At this time of year more than any other, the primary concerns of family, friends, and relatives are to ensure good luck to those they hold most dear, pay respects to the gods and spirits, and wish good fortune to all in the coming year.

Despite some complaints that Chinese New Year is becoming less meaningful and vigorous than in the past due to an increasingly material world and improved living standards, it still remains the year's top occasion for the average Chinese family. For many parents it is a rare chance to see their children who, with increased education and mobility, are likely as not working far away.It's a great time too for youngsters -- extra pocket money from uncles, aunts and friends of their parents.

Countryside people, meanwhile, still stick to the old customs of putting couplets on their doors, setting off firecrackers to drive away evil spirits, and offering sacrifices to the gods. For urban Beijingers, a main highlight is the mostly open-air temple fairs in preference to a formal family banquet -- the latter no longer a big thing because, with their enhanced financial status, urban Chinese are already eating well every day.

Fireworks are out because, for safety reasons, they are now forbidden in urban areas.

The capital also offers a rich choice of large, noisy, crowded temple fairs (see page 36) where there are special evening performances. For many people, these are now ideal for a family to meet up and round off their entertainment with a reunion banquet at a hotel or top restaurant.