The year 2016 is the Year of the Red Fire Monkey for the Chinese, and to ring in that new year the Life Care Center of Hilo is planning a celebration Friday, Feb. 12. ADVERTISING The year 2016 is the
The year 2016 is the Year of the Red Fire Monkey for the Chinese, and to ring in that new year the Life Care Center of Hilo is planning a celebration Friday, Feb. 12.
Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar. The Chinese year 4713 begins Feb. 4. In China, this is an evening of ancestor worship and family reunion dinners; one of the most important nights of the traditional Chinese calendar.
Chinese months are reckoned by the lunar calendar, with each month beginning on the darkest day. New Year festivities traditionally start on the first day of the month and continue until the 15th, when the moon is brightest. In China, people might take weeks of holiday from work to prepare for and celebrate the New Year.
Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal’s year would have some of that animal’s personality. People born in a Year of the Monkey are generally thought to be intelligent, eloquent, adaptable, flexible, independent, honest, cordial, positive, strong leaders, loyal, faithful and responsible.
During Chinese New Year celebrations, people wear red clothes, decorate with poems on red paper and give children “lucky money” in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which according to ancient legend can drive away bad luck.
The fireworks that shower the festivities are rooted in a similar ancient custom. Long ago, people in China lit bamboo stalks, believing the crackling flames would frighten evil spirits.
There are also lots of musical performances and parades; the most famous of which is the dragon and lion dance.
In Chinese culture, the dragon is the deity of water ensuring no drought will come. The lion, on the other hand, helps ward off evil spirits since it symbolizes power and courage.
The lantern festival is hosted on the 15th day of the first lunar month. Some of the lanterns might be works of art, painted with birds, animals, flowers, zodiac signs or scenes from legend and history. People hang glowing lanterns in temples and carry lanterns to an evening parade under the light of the full moon.
In many areas, the highlight of the lantern festival is the dragon dance. The dragon — which might stretch 100 feet long — is typically made of silk, paper and bamboo. Traditionally, the dragon is held aloft by young men who dance as they guide the colorful beast through the streets.
Life Care Center of Hilo’s Chinese New Year event starts at 6 p.m. Feb. 12 with a dragon dance performed by the staff. The dragon head was designed by Doug Scheer and used in the Diamond Head Theater performance of Flower Drum Song.
The dance be followed by a red ribbon dance performed by a Chinese staff associate, Ji Rong Kang-Gerrard, a keiki Chinese Zodiac Fashion Show performed by children of Life Care staff members, dancing performed by the talented activity staff and a Mo Min Kuen Monkey Kung Fu demonstration.
The public is invited to attend.
For more information, call Life Care Center’s Activities Department at 959-9151.
