The Lion Island nation is one of the countries that celebrate the Lunar New Year like Vietnam. So what is the custom to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Singapore and what is special? Let's find out through the article below.
When is Chinese New Year in Singapore?
Singapore celebrates the traditional New Year according to Chinese customs, perhaps because part of the population of the island nation is of Chinese descent. The Lunar New Year in Singapore isclose to the time of welcoming the Vietnamese New Year on January 1 of the lunar calendar. Before the New Year's Day, Singaporeans also have the custom of cleaning and decorating houses and streets. On New Year's Day, the islanders also cook traditional dishes and participate in many special festivals held.
When is Chinese New Year in Singapore?
Traditional Singaporean New Year customs
Singapore's traditional New Year also has traditional customs, including:
Farewell Mr. Apple to God
On the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, Singaporeans also hold a ceremony to worship the god of the Tao like Vietnam. On this day, they burn an effigy of Mr. Tao and make rice offerings to him after a year in the underworld. The difference on the day of worshiping the Apple of Singaporeans compared to Vietnam is, applying a little sugar, honey and wine on the lips of the doll. This custom means that the Tao will report the best to the Jade Emperor and the owner will have good luck throughout the year.
The custom of seeing off Mr. Apple and worshiping the sky Cleaning, decorating, and shopping
The custom of welcoming the New Year of Singaporeans is similar to Vietnam, they also clean up together, arrange household furniture and decorate beautifully to welcome the new year. After that, they will go shopping together for new clothes to wear on Tet. Singaporeans believe that having the best preparation will help dispel bad things in the old year and welcome a new year of good luck and convenience.
Singaporeans also clean and decorate their homesReunion tray and lucky money
Chinese New Year in Singapore is an occasion for the whole family to gather together and enjoy a warm year-end meal. Besides, everyone together shared about things in daily life, what has been done in the past year. Meal on the last day of the year with all traditional dishes with the meaning of warmth and happiness.
Reunion tray on the last day of the yearGiving tangerines with the meaning of affluence
If the Vietnamese decorate the five-fruit tray on Tet holiday, the Singaporeans prefer tangerines and fragrances. According to them, tangerine has a brilliant orange color, which in Cantonese means yellow, representing abundance. Therefore, on New Year's Day, Singaporeans do not display peach and apricot flowers but choose tangerine trees to decorate their homes or workplaces.
Singaporeans also give tangerines to relatives and friends with the meaning of bringing a lot of fortune and luck to the recipient. Besides, they also have the custom of giving double or even numbers, but abstain from number 4 because they will have many bad luck throughout the year. If giving gifts, they will also be in pairs and put in a red bag with chocolate.
Giving tangerines with the meaning of affluence
In addition, Singaporeans also love pineapple on New Year's Day. According to the Hokkien language, pineapple is similar to the word "vuong lai", which means that they will not display the whole fruit, but will use it to make a filling for guests on New Year's Day.
Spend the whole month having fun
Tet in Singapore is an occasion for people to relax and have fun together after a year of hard work. According to the Tet holiday schedule, Singaporeans will have 2 days, in which the 1st day is to visit family members and the 2nd day is for women to get married to visit their birth parents. Although there are only 2 days off, Singaporeans spend a whole month eating and drinking. After the end of 2 days of Tet holiday, they still take time to visit friends and colleagues. Many agencies organize parties on the first day of the new year to talk and reunite.
Spend the whole month having fun, asking colleagues and friends
Traditional Singaporean dishes on New Year's Eve
On Chinese New Year in Singapore , people also come together to make traditional dishes to enjoy and treat friends. Among them, the two most famous and indispensable dishes are:
Yumcha: The dish is meant for success and luck. This is a breakfast dish consisting of dumplings, dimsum, rolls, meatballs, cakes... With colorful ingredients, Yumcha is also meant to bring luck and auspiciousness in the new year.
Each ingredient to make Yumcha will have its own meaning. For example, glutinous rice symbolizes the harmony between heaven and earth, lotus seeds are abundant and rich in wealth, or meat and vegetables mean reunion...
Yumcha is a dish that is meant for success and good luck
Yusheng salad: This New Year's dish in Singapore is indispensable in the New Year's rice tray. The salad is made from ingredients that symbolize growth, including shredded papaya and taro, salmon... This dish is enjoyed with special spices and sauces.
Traditional festivals in Singapore on New Year's Eve
Besides learning about the Chinese New Year customs in Singapore , you can also discover the cultural features of the lion island nation through famous festivals such as:
River Hongbao event: Held at Marina Bay and Esplanade theater with the image of the God of Fortune and the 12 zodiac animals, along with brilliant fireworks displays to welcome the new year.
River Hongbao event attracts people to participate
Lantern Festival in Chinatown: On the first day of spring, the Chinatown is decorated with shimmering lights and drums throbbing everywhere. Along with red is the image of the animal symbolizing that year, which is decorated in a new and extremely splendid way. The festival is filled with the colors of lanterns and many unique and vibrant art performances. Besides, the festival is also attractive with many Chinese specialties.
Chingay Street Masquerade Festival: People in colorful costumes and performances of music, dance, street magic... under cheers and cheers. The festival atmosphere is extremely lively and attracts a large number of people to participate.
Hopefully, the above information about Chinese New Year customs in Singapore will help you better understand the unique culture of the lion island nation on the occasion of the new year. If you have the opportunity, plan a trip to learn and discover many interesting things in the traditional New Year of Singapore.