Skip to content

Guelph's Chinese population celebrates Year of the Monkey

Welcome to the Year of the Monkey. To the millions of Chinese citizens and others who observe the traditional calendar, including many people living in Guelph, the day has a deep and symbolic meaning.
2016 - 02 - 08 - Chinese New Years- Klassen-6
Jeffery Klassen for Village Media

In Chinese astrology, each year is associated with a Chinese zodiac animal sign, and one of the five elements: gold (metal), water, wood, fire, or earth. Both the sign and element of your birth year are said to affect your personality and destiny.

People born in this year of the Fire Monkey are considered witty, intelligent, and have a magnetic personality.

The Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, is the most important festival in China. It is a centuries-old practice based on the lunar calendar.

The first day of the New Year falls on the new moon between January 21 and February 20. This year, the Chinese New Year begins today.

The Chinese New Year is a time for family and Relatives

Youai Hao and her husband Jianbo Qian have been in Canada for almost 10 years and are now Canadian citizens. Their two little daughters were born in Guelph.

Even though this city is where they call home, the Chinese New Year is the time when they miss their home country and family members the most. Youai noted that in China, everyone celebrates the New Year occasion in the similar way many North American celebrate the Christmas holiday.

Those living away from home will brave crowded train stations and airports to be with family. Most importantly, the New Year is when Chinese families gather for their annual reunion dinner.

“In China, this time [of year] means to get rid of the old and welcome the new,” Youai added. “Fireworks are used to scare away bad spirits or bad deeds.” She noted that the atmosphere in Guelph during Chinese New Year is just not the same as back home.

It is traditional for every family to thoroughly clean their homes, sweeping away ill-fortune and making way for incoming luck. Windows and doors might be decorated with red paper cut-outs with popular themes of “happiness” and "longevity".

Other activities include giving money in red paper envelopes. This practice is done to suppress or put down the evil spirit.

Games form a part of the celebrations

Xiao Hang Li has been in Canada almost six years, the past three of those in Guelph.

He was born in the Year of the Horse, an attribute that instructs him to be on duty and to protect others.

When asked about the holiday, Xiao speaks of a traditional monster called Nian which comes out on New Year’s Eve to attack people, especially children. 

He remembers learning about Nian from a state-sponsored television show that plays every New Year’s Eve in China from 6 p.m. until 1 a.m., an extravaganza that features singers, acrobats, and stories.

On the eve of the Chinese New Year, people gather to eat and play games like cards and Mah Jong. “I love the game,” he said. “I wish I had more people here to play it with.”

As a child, Xiao Hang Li would watch the food preparations that began early in the morning. He would sneak into the kitchen and steal a few bites of the delicious food.

“People dress as gorgeously as possible,” he said. “Typically, they wear red for celebrations. It’s the one time they can dress up.”

Like Youai, Xiao misses his home this time of year. He is sad that he can't go back to China this year. 

“The longer you stay here, the more China becomes your parents’ home, not yours any more,” he said.

Local gala and private celebrations held

The Guelph Chinese Canadian Culture Association holds an annual gala event for its membership. 

For many, the Chinese New Year is a time to celebrate privately.

For Youai and XIao and their families, this will always be a time for celebrations, food and frequent phone calls home to speak with parents, siblings, aunts and uncles. 


Comments

Verified reader

If you would like to apply to become a verified commenter, please fill out this form.