A Dreamy Celebration of Lunar New Year

Get Sleep is a production of Samba Studios and is made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and premium members. If you'd like to listen ad free and access weekly bonus episodes, extra long stories and our entire back catalogue, you can try out premium free for seven days by following the link in the episode notes. Now, a quick word from our sponsors. Welcome to Get Sleepy when we listen, we relax and we get sleepy. My name's Thomas. Thank you so much for tuning in. Tonight we'll be exploring the festival of Chinese New Year, along with its traditions, rituals and beliefs. We'll step into the world of lunar New Year celebrations and specifically the lantern festival that closes this holiday period. While this time of festivities enjoyed throughout mainland China, it's also celebrated in many other countries worldwide. It's thought that more than 1.5 billion people celebrate every year. I have the pleasure of reading this one for you and it was written by Joe Stair. And to all our listeners that celebrate, I wish you a very happy lunar New Year. Did you know that Get Sleepy Premium members get to listen completely ad free with full access to our entire catalogue of stories and meditations, which is now well over a thousand episodes, including heaps of extended compilation episodes and much more. And perhaps best of all, Premium supporters get a brand new bonus episode every Thursday night. Tomorrow Jessica is back to read a charming story setting Cape Town, South Africa. A young woman is working as an apprentice to her father in his bed shop, where she'll learn all about the trait and what it means to provide the gift of good sleep. To support the show and become a Premium member, just head to Get Sleepy.com-support. You'll have a seven day free trial to start off with and you can cancel anytime. Let's Get Sleepy.com-support. Thanks so much everyone. Now my friends, let's give ourselves a moment to unwind and relax. Begin by closing your eyes. Find a position that feels comfortable to you and bring your attention into your body. Set yourself with a couple of deep relaxing breaths, breathing in fully, holding for a moment. And then gently releasing the air back out. Now see if you can start to imagine a point of light at your very core, bright and soothing. Sense it warming your body from within and expelling any negative or unwanted energies your body may be holding. Take chill out light expanding outwards, filling your chest, legs, arms, neck and head. Watch as the expanding light fills you with its soothing glow. Imagine that every single person on earth has a tiny inner light just like this. Watch as every person's light expands outwards. Until the world is a vibrant and interconnected pattern of billions of soothing lights. And now follow my voice as we travel to a little town at night time with a silver moon glowing overhead. This is where our story begins. Your standing beneath a dark night sky illuminated by the glow of a full silver moon. It's a beautiful calm night and so dark that the buildings, alleyways and people around you are mere shadows to your eyes. Homes and businesses throughout the area turned off their electric lights at sundown. This only adds to the magic of the festival as the eye is drawn to those bright lanterns that hang between streets and in doorways. This is the Luntan Festival marking the end of the lunar New Year celebrations being held in this village in China. Luntans are decorative objects seen all through the New Year for their atmospheric qualities. For antiquity, tradition and their delicate soft glow. But the ones used during the Luntan Festival are no ordinary Luntans. They tend to be bigger, more or nate and themed with the zodiac animal showcasing this special season. Luna New Year marks the end of winter and the beginning of springtime in accordance with the traditional Chinese calendar. Unlike the Gregorian calendar which splits the year into 12 months, the traditional Chinese calendar views the year through 24 Luna terms. The first time begins with the new moon appearing between the 21st of January and the 20th of February. As such, the dates of the festival differ from year to year depending on that year's Luna calendar. Celebrations may last for 15 days in total, though often only the first seven days are a public holiday. There's a great deal of preparation that takes place before the festival officially begins. Prior to the holiday itself, it's common in southern China to eat a New Year cake. Also known as Rice Cake, this is a combination of glutinous rice flour with sugars, fruits and spices and is often steamed rather than baked. Historically, it was provided as an offering to the kitchen god, the most important of all domestic deities. One of the kitchen god's duties, according to Taoist folk beliefs, is to report to the Jade Emperor before the New Year begins, detailing the deeds of the family during the past year to see if they would have good fortune. It was believed that after eating the sticky cake, the kitchen god's mouth would be so stuck that he wouldn't be able to tell of any transgressions. In some regions, families might also pour wine over the portrait of the kitchen god so that he will be happy and report only nice things. The eating of this cake is thought to bring about much good luck, and leftover pieces are often sent out as gifts to friends and family. Its name is actually a homonym for higher year, indicating a good year ahead. In the week prior to New Year, families are kept very busy with housework and chores, homes are cleaned until they're spickened span, an act which is as symbolic as it is practical. It's the washing, dusting and tidying away of the old year that has passed and the bringing in of the new one. Every effort is made to ensure that the home is a welcoming environment for the good luck and prosperity of the year ahead. Once the house is clean, it's decorated in the lucky colours of red and gold, with green added to symbolise the coming springtime growth. Lentons are hung from ceilings and decorative paper cuttings and pictures are stuck to walls. Long strips of red paper bearing poetic messages of hope and fortune in beautiful calligraphy are hung beside and above the main doorway to the home. Colorful ornaments are brought out into view, as our vases filled with blooming orchids, peach blossoms or fruiting tangerine trees in a celebration of approaching springtime. Some families go a step further, painting their doors and window frames in rich, vibrant red. And it's not only the home that receives a makeover, but also the people themselves. Haircuts are booked in, a new clothing is purchased, so that one might fully embrace that feeling of a fresh start from head to toes. Outstanding debts are paid off, thank you gifts sent out and loose ends tied up wherever possible. At last, the celebrations begin on Chinese New Year's Eve, with a feast known as the reunion dinner. This is perhaps the most special meal in a family's year, a time when families come together with even those living far away travelling home to partake in the celebrations. Everything is a shared experience, from preparing the food and setting the table to eating the food itself as the new year is welcomed in. The actual meal differs from region to region, though in general what served is a banquet of meats, fish, vegetables and dumplings. In some regions, golden dumplings are made to have the appearance of edible treasure like the golden gods formally used in Imperial China. Long noodles are often served, in the hopes that those eating will have long and happy lives. Fish, which is a homonym for plenty, is often served as well. Many people will eat peanuts or seeds as a symbolic hope for children. Oranges and tangerines are a symbol of family togetherness and candy may be eaten with hope for a sweet year ahead. Each dish is as symbolic as it is delicious. On Chinese New Year's Eve, families generally stay home playing marjong or other games until midnight. Others have parties or reminisce about years past. It is believed that children who stay up late on New Year's Eve will increase the lifespan of their parents. In some regions, the dumplings cooked earlier won't be eaten until it's nearly midnight. When the clock eventually strikes twelve, the skies are lit with stunning fireworks of every pattern, shape and colour. Chinese New Year's Day brings more opportunities to spend time with family and loved ones. Most people will spend the day with their extended families, particularly more elderly relatives like grandparents. Manda Rhin oranges are exchanged, symbols of good fortune and family togetherness. While married family members are known to give out red envelopes containing cash. These beautiful envelopes are decorated with auspicious messages, written in gold lettering, bestowing yet more happy wishes upon their lucky recipients. Generally, these envelopes are gifted from the older members of the family to the younger. Alongside the hope that it will lessen any obstacles that potentially lie ahead. Businesses, too, will distribute red envelopes amongst their employees, all in the hopes of a smooth year ahead. Manny is generally given in multiples of eight, or in numbers ending with eight, being the eight is considered the luckiest of numbers. Manny is always given in even numbers because odd numbers are thought to be unlucky. However, the number four is always avoided because the word for four is similar to the word for death in many Chinese dialects. For this reason, hotels and businesses will also often emit the fourth floor, and restaurant tables will jump from three to five. Beliefs around luck are a central part of Chinese culture, particularly during the New Year period. Indeed, similarly to how much is done to ushering good fortune, many activities are also avoided because they're thought to be unlucky. On Chinese New Year's Day, washing one's hair or clothing is thought to wash away good luck. While sweeping or needlework are thought to deplete a person's wealth. Certain words are taboo like the number four, and porridge should not be eaten as it's said to bring about poverty. There are other superstitions that last throughout the 15-day period, like not using scissors or knives because they cut away wealth, or wearing black or white, which are associated with sadness and poverty and funerals respectively. Even the fireworks that paint the sky night after night are thought to scare away evil spirits. As are the firecrackers and bamboo lit below, and the spectacular parades of lion troops that fill the streets. Out of all that happens throughout the New Year period, these parades are amongst the most unique and fabulous. Watching the lifelike movements of these magical creatures is like watching a festive work of art. Indeed, the Chinese lion costumes showcase every shade of red, gold and green, all upon the richest and most sumptuous silks and farts. Their massive hats are particularly impressive, a mould of papi amache constructed over a bamboo frame, meticulously painted and decorated. They are as strange and magical as one could ever imagine, concealing the expert performers inside to the point where one might easily forget that they aren't somehow magical creatures brought to life. They even move like lions, leaping about in such an acrobatic manner, dancing to the beat of drums, gongs and cymbals. Occasionally, they pause to munch upon the fresh greens hung from various doorways on route. Their mouths chomp at the vegetables, leaving a trail of leaves on the ground, meant to symbolise the spreading of good luck and fortune around the town. As before, there are differences in costume and practice from region to region. But generally, these darts will take place over the first few days of the new year. Like many of the other practices at this time, there are numerous myths associated with the use of lions. One particularly charming story tells of the evil beast Neon who threatened the safety of a village until the people enlisted lions to scare him away. The following year, without any real lions to help them, the villagers dressed up and pretended to be lions, successfully scaring away the beast and doing so every year after. These darts are a modern reenactment of this tale and the victory of good over evil. The day after New Year's Day is often referred to as the year's beginning and marks the start of a new cycle with its own associated Sodiak animal. These are the 12 animals of the Chinese Sodiak and they repeat in 12 year cycles. The order of these animals once again is rooted in myth and the story of the great race. As the tale goes, the Jade Emperor, ruler of the heavens, wanted to devise a way to measure time. To do so, he held a race amongst all animals on earth, declaring that the first 12 across the finish line would earn a spot in the Chinese Sodiak. The rat was the first across, followed by the ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon and snake. Next, the horse, goat, monkey, rooster and dog, and then, lastly, the pig. It's a charming story, revealing the character traits of each animal. The rat, for example, is carried across the river by the kindly ox, only to cunningly leap over the creature's head at the finish line to take first place. Whilst the dog, on the other hand, takes 11th place because he spends so long, frolicing happily in the water. Children born in the year of a particular animal are believed to share its character traits. A child born in the year of the rat, for example, may be intelligent and cunning, just as one born in the year of the dog would likely be playful and easygoing. Children born in 2026, for example, the year of the horse are thought to be energetic and independent. They also impatient at times. Furthermore, there are different qualities of each of these animals linked to the five elements of metal, wood, earth, fire and water. Again, this altars, the strengths and weaknesses ascribed to a person born in a particular year. A water tiger, for instance, is thought to be a little wiser than a fire tiger, who is more likely to be powerful and influential. At Chinese New Year, it's common to see images of the appropriate animal amongst posters and decorations. After all, the festival is a celebration of that animal, as well as the coming year itself. Some animals, such as the dragon, are thought of as particularly lucky, and there's often an increase in birth rates during these years, as people hope to add a lucky dragon baby to the household. Just as believers of Western astrology might look towards their horoscopes, some will study the zodiac or visit fortune tellers, hoping to grasp a sense of what the future year holds. Each year is thought to carry the particular energy of its assigned animal, something that influences events across the globe. The year of the rat, who took first place in the Great Race, is linked to the theme of new beginnings. As such, few are surprised when big global changes coincide with the year of the rat. On an individual level, many people will look to astrology to learn how their own zodiac animal might fare in the coming year. This is taken into account when making important life decisions, from moving home and marriage to buying and selling on the stock market. Each animal is associated with specific numbers, colours, flowers, and even directions that are thought to be lucky. A rabbit, for example, should focus on maintaining their health and might find luck in love and harmony in this year of the horse, while needing patience for possible career delays. Perhaps they'll dress in their lucky colours of green and yellow. Well, they might place phases of bamboo and sicklemen around the home. Alongside these astrological beliefs, the New Year celebrations are linked to folklore. Whilst the days that follow New Year's Day involve more time while spent amongst friends and family, there are also specific activities which celebrate certain gods. The fifth day, for example, is known as the God of wealth's birthday, and many families will attend a special ceremony at their local temple. Afterwards, at home, firecrackers will be lit in the hopes of catching the gods' attention and ensuring wealth and prosperity is brought into the home. In some regions of northern China, those treasure-like golden dumplings will be eaten once again. Whilst elsewhere, a selection of fruits, flowers, teas, and candles are laid out as an offering to the god. People generally return to work on the eighth day, marking the return with a corporate dinner, in which employees are thanked for the past year's efforts. Then, on the ninth day of the festival, it's the birthday of the Jade Emperor, the ruler of heaven. This provides reason for more family gatherings and delicious food. For some, it's a time to once again visit a temple where incense is burnt and prayers are made. Extra special offerings are given, including fresh fruits and candies of every colour. In the southern regions, in particular, people will craft marvelous sculptures from coloured sugarcane, laying this out upon tables in the temple. The word for sugarcane sounds very close to thank you in southern dialects, which makes it all the more meaningful as an offering to the Jade Emperor. On the 15th day of Chinese New Year, the celebrations conclude in truly spectacular fashion with the famed Lantern Festival. This always coincides with the full moon and has a rich history stretching back thousands of years. There are a number of different theories about the origins of the Lantern Festival. Some claim that it originated in the Qing Dynasty as an appeal from the Emperor to the deity who controlled the destiny of the human world, wishing for fine weather and good weather. Others claim that it is on as a Taoist god who descends to earth on the 15th of the first month, to inspect human behaviour and award blessings or misfortunes accordingly. Worshipers hoped to please him with the spectacle of glowing light. Yet others support a legend that explains the festival as an effort to trick a god rather than worship them. After villagers hunted and killed a beautiful crane, favoured by the divine Jade Emperor, he decided to punish them by burning their village to the ground on the 15th day of the New Year. A wise man suggested a plan. On the 14th, 15th and 16th days of the year, every family in the village should hang red lanterns outside their homes, set up bonfires on the streets and explode firecrackers, so that the village would appear to be in flames. And indeed, when the troops sent by the Jade Emperor to set fire to the village arrived on the 15th day, they thought the village was already ablaze and returned to report to their master. From that day on, people celebrate this escape by carrying lanterns on the streets and exploding firecrackers. Today, the festival has become more symbolic in nature with lanterns thought to illuminate the year ahead. Equally, they provide a physical means of letting go of the past when they are released into the air or water. Over the years, lantern festivals have become more elaborate and extravagant, attracting interest from people all around the world. From Las Vegas to New Zealand, crowds of people flock to see the light shows, including huge paper figurines and monuments, and in some places, dramatic ice sculptures, their dazzling colours contrasting against the darkness. And with that, let's return to the festival at hand. All around you are lanterns of every shape and size in many different colours. Some are adorned with puzzles and redores, whilst others carry messages of hope and prosperity. And beside them too are paper decorations of every kind, flowers and fish, birds and buildings. Let by an inner bulb they are a burst of colour and beauty shining out across the landscape. Beneath the lights, the faces of many happy families are brought into view. Crowds of awestruck children and their parents are revealed for just a moment, before once again returning to their darkness. Many of the children carry their own homemade paper lanterns, planning to release them later. Viewed from a distance in the evening, it looks almost as though the lanterns are moving independently, like stars floating across the land. Following the path of these glittering lights, you pass more paper sculptures, each one more dazzling and unique than the last. There's a giant yellow dragon, more than ten feet long in size. Its body displaying an intricate blanket of red scales upon yellow ones. Bright red spines decorate the top of its tail, whilst its huge face is framed with green whiskers and horns. And within its open mouth, a giant red tongue is visible, upon it a bright yellow light bulb. The handheld lanterns swirl around the dragon's base, pausing every so often as people stop and stare. The gentle pitter-patter of footsteps fills the air, occasionally punctuated by gasps, giggles and various expressions of wonder and delight. Not far from the dragon, the narrow streets open out, forming a large town square, where a market might be held in daylight. Here stands a giant marquee tent, its entire frame glowing with purple and white fairy lights. And inside, at its center, a colossal lotus flower looks down upon those inside. Its giant pink petals, opening and closing as if it were a real breathing flower. Around it, long strands of fairy lights strip vertically from the ceiling, illuminating the foodstores below, and the many happy customers eating their goods. Rice balls are a favorite pair, and one traditionally enjoyed at the lantern festival. A sweet and sticky treat, their combination of glutinous rice flower, black sesame seeds, sugar, peanuts and butter. Repeatedly coated in the flower, before being cooked in boiling water, they have the appearance of large white snowballs. Until they are bitten into that is, when the sweet and nutty inside ooze out from the center. As well as being delicious, the round shape of the balls is thought to symbolize togetherness and family reunion. To the right of the marquee, the path continues towards the waterfront, becoming ever more dazzling and dreamlike as it goes. On either side of the path, rows of trees display small cylindrical lanterns hanging from their branches. And in some, giant paper pandas have been expertly positioned, appearing in a range of lifelike, if comical positions. Some sit at the tree's base, chewing lazily on bamboo, as they look out at the passes by. Others are climbing midway up the trunk, or further still, along the trees upper branches. One particular panda is almost entirely hidden, but for those brightly lit eyes, peeping out from within the tree's dense canopy. Down the center of the path, a series of freestanding arches beam with bright white lights. With lanterns still in hand, groups of families, friends and couples stroll beneath these heavenly arches, one after another. Eventually, they arrive at the river's edge, where the light of the silver moon illuminates a vast expanse of water. Moonlight dances across its surface, flickering rhythmically with the ebb and flow of the water. Upon the water, there are countless large ferry boats. Their seats filled with locals and tourists, looking to enjoy the festival on the river. They sail out into the water, gliding between giant floating sculptures of swans and peacocks, ships and trees. There's even a parade of the 12 Sodiak animals, each raised upon an individual floating pillar, high above the water. This causes much excitement amongst the children, who gawk and point at the sight of their own Sodiak animals, brought to life in such marvelous fashion. Music plays in the distance, a melodic tune echoing across the harbor, above the sound of waves lapping against the boat. The air is fresh and cool, though it still carries the smell of those sweet and sticky rice balls. Eventually, each of the boats pauses in position, signaling the time when the lanterns are released. One by one adults and children lean against the ferry's railings, carefully dropping their lanterns into the water below. As they do so, some whisper prayers and hopes for a prosperous new year. Then, they continue to gaze as their lanterns float away upon the waves, surrounded by hundreds, if not thousands of others. It's a star-filled sky painted across the water. Soon after, the new year celebrations end as they began, with fireworks of every shape and shade lighting up the skies. Only, not exactly the same, because now, far beneath the fireworks, the lights of countless paper lanterns drift upwards as well. Released on land, they float slowly into the sky, carrying with them people's hopes and dreams for the future. It's a truly breathtaking sight, a magical and meaningful beginning to the new year ahead. An entire sky filled with hope, love and goodness.