LIKE MOST Asian families in the Hurstville area, the Suns will go all out to reconnect with their traditions and make sure that 2014 is off to a good start.
The Lunar New Year — beginning on January 31 — will be welcomed on the eve with food, food and more food, all symbolising an aspect of good fortune.
To demonstrate, Sandy Sun prepared a Cantonese banquet at her Hurstville home.
Husband Choi Kuan Sun and daughter Annie So, who run the family's Canton Noodle House, were there to help.
Also present and representing the Mandarin tradition from the north were Maryann Zhao, a retired librarian from Beijing University; Simon Yin, a human resources manager; and Nancy Liu, deputy mayor of Hurstville.
Although from the north, Cr Liu spent a decade in southern China and so was able to keep the conversation flowing between the Cantonese, Mandarin and English speakers.
Mrs So, who also speaks Mandarin, said the difference between the two major Chinese languages was akin to English versus French.
The symbolism of food stretches far into Chinese folklore and is often connected to what Cr Liu referred to as "homophonic symbolisation", meaning that a food has the same sound/name as words connected to luck.
For instance, "yu" the word for fish also means "surplus and abundance".
To ensure continuing abundance, only half the fish is eaten on New Year's Eve and the rest on the following day.
Mrs Sun's banquet included braised pork to ensure a good start to the year; prawns for happiness and laughter; a rooster marinated in soy sauce to "crow" in happiness every day; smoked oysters with black moss to ensure profits in business; pork knuckles with lettuce, for luck at a casino or poker machines; Chinese mushrooms stuffed with prawn mince to wheel in fortune; New Year cake, for job promotion and moving up in the world; sticky rice to make sure the family stays together.
While the Mandarin speakers from the north share many of these food traditions, Mrs Zhao brought a dish of excellent dumplings which are traditionally made before midnight and eaten after the new year arrives.
Mrs Zhao will start preparations on January 23 with a prayer to the cooking god in front of the stove.
In the days leading up to the new year, there will be house cleaning and hair cutting, symbolising out with the old to prepare for the new. In most households, the "senior mum" will light red candles at midnight to pray to Buddha to look after the family and the country.
The lunar festival lasts 15 days, and each day is dedicated to something special, beginning with a family day with well-wishing among friends, family and neighbours and money-bearing red envelopes for children, ending with the lantern festival on January 15.
Welcome mat out for Year of the Horse
THE horse isn’t due to gallop into the Lunar New Year until January 31 but at Hurstville the seventh animal in the Chinese zodiac will get a huge welcome this Saturday, January 18.
Thanks to Hurstville Council and generous sponsors, Forest Road will be transformed into a festival ground celebrating the diversity of Asian cultures with food, entertainment and activities for the whole family.
One of the favourite animals in China, the horse symbolises quick transportation, success in battle, travel, competition and victory. Many see it as connected to speedy success.
The horse will be around until February 18, 2015, and according to Chinese calendar experts, the coming year is going to be high-spirited, full of adventure and offering many opportunities to make life better. However, it has been said that the horse can be unfortunate for those born in a horse year — 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002 — causing problems with health, relationships and business dealings.
The potential bad luck can be warded off with the colour red. Red socks, red underwear, red belts, cardigans and so on.
The twelve animals are Rat, Cow, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Chicken, Dog and Pig.
How do you celebrate Lunar New Year?
ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM
THE 2014 Hurstville Lunar New Year festival will include more than 60 food and market stalls, and free children’s activities.
The Bupa Kids Corner will return to Palm Court car park, where children can pat baby barnyard animals, enjoy a ride on a merry-go-round, have their face painted, play on a jumping castle and participate in sand art workshops.
Other events and activities include:
11am: Traditional dragon dance and official opening by the deputy mayor of Hurstville, Nancy Liu.
11.35am: Traditional eye-dotting ceremony, and lion dance performed by the Australian Yau Kung Mun Dragon and Lion Dancing Group.
12.05pm: Forest Road street parade.
12.40pm: Martial arts demonstration performed by the Integrated Combat Centre.
1pm: Musical, dance and vocal performances by Ocean Dream Artistic Group and the St George Chorus.
2pm: Band performance by Ai Ai Ai.
2.20pm: Chinese and Western pop vocal performance TVBA International Chinese New Talent Singing Championship performers. Artists include 2013 finalists Jacquelene Chan and Neville Lai and 2011 second runner-up Dee Zhao.
2.55pm: Lucky draw winners announced (winners must be in attendance to claim prizes and must provide valid photo identification).
3.05pm: Fashion parade by Cambridge Talent College.
3.35pm: Lion dance performed by the Australian Yau Kung Mun Dragon and Lion Dancing Group.
4pm: Close.
Festival-goers can win a trip for two people to Hong Kong and Macau by taking part in the lucky draw competition.
To enter, pick up an official festival program at the festival information stall (stall 14) on the day, fill out the coupon and be present for the draw, which will be held at 2.55pm on the centre stage.
