No place for bad luck on Lunar New Year

Monsters won't get a look-in when the Chinese community celebrates its most important day, writes Rowena Orejana. 

Plastic mandarins and red firecrackers hang on one wall. In the middle of the table sits an old Chinese sweet box filled with dried fruit and melon seeds.
Bevan Chuang and her mum, Candy, are in the midst of preparing their Remuera home for the Lunar New Year, which this year falls on February 3. They have still to put up a red rectangular paper with pictures of carp at both ends to signify prosperity.
The Lunar New Year is one of the most important feasts for the Chinese community. It is a celebration as well as a gathering of family. For younger Kiwi-Chinese like Bevan, it is also a confirmation of cultural identity.
"I actually came to practise a lot more than I used to. It just keeps you culturally alive ... and it's quite fun anyway," she says.
Most of the traditions observed are based on Chinese folklore, usually about protecting oneself from monsters or maintaining harmony within the family.
"I don't think people still believe in them, but the things they did have become a tradition," says Dr Xin Chen, a research fellow and programme officer at the University of Auckland.
"Chinese-Kiwis are more westernised, but they would still have family gatherings. Chinese restaurants would be full and you would need a reservation to get a table."
She says the celebration is all about food, entertainment and getting in touch with relatives all over the world. It is also about keeping bad luck away.
"If you didn't have a disaster throughout the year, I think you can call that good luck," says Dr Chen.
Ms Chuang says her family cleans the house thoroughly before each new year to banish any bad luck.
"Some people now just do it symbolically. I don't think anyone wants to do the cleaning part."
However, traditions must be adjusted around council rules and regulations. Rubbish, for example, cannot always be disposed of completely because the council collects it only once a week. Firecrackers cannot be lit.
Still, red packets containing money given to younger family members remain popular. So does getting in touch with relatives to wish them well.
"In general, people want prosperity, but today that is almost secondary to good health," adds Dr Chen.
Ms Chuang compares the celebration to Christmas. "This is a sharing of love and sharing with people around you."
Wild side
Chinese new years come in a cycle of 12, each year represented by an animal.
2011 is the year of the Rabbit, which starts on February 3 and ends on January 22, 2012.
Chinese astrologers say the year should be moderate and easy-going;  time for fun, relaxation and a reasonably free rein.