Married Malaysians Share How Much Ang Pow They Gave Out This Year For CNY

Malaysian Adults Share How Much Ang Pow They Received For Chinese New Year So Far

From Malaysia To Peru — Here’s How People Celebrated Lunar New Year Around The World

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<h2>1. Yee sang</h2>
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<p>Did you know that yee sang, both the dish itself and the tradition of tossing it, is something that&#8217;s uniquely Malaysian and Singaporean? It is a dish that means an increase of abundance, as it is called &#8216;<i>yu sheng</i>&#8216; in Mandarin, with &#8216;<i>yu</i>&#8216; meaning abundance and &#8216;<i>sheng</i>&#8216; meaning rise or increase.</p>
<p>It is believed that the higher you toss the yee sang, the more your fortune will grow in the new year, so make sure to toss as high as you can!</p>
<p>Besides the meaning of the dish as a whole, each component also has its own symbolism, which mostly boils down to the Chinese names of the ingredients being homophones for auspicious sayings.</p>
<p>Here are some examples:<br /><b>&#8211; Carrot:</b> Carrots (<i>hong luo bo</i>) indicate blessings of good luck as it has a homophone in &#8216;hong yun dang tou&#8217;, which means &#8216;good luck is approaching&#8217;<br /><b>&#8211; Fish:</b> Just like the &#8216;<i>yu</i>&#8216; in &#8216;<i>yu sheng</i>&#8216;, fish is also pronounced &#8216;<i>yu</i>&#8216; in Mandarin, thus it carries the same meaning of abundance<br /><b>&#8211; Cucumber:</b> Known as &#8216;<i>ja kua</i>&#8216; in Chinese, it shares the same pronunciation as the word for returns, signifying having many happy returns in all your ventures</p>
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.vecteezy.com/photo/8985240-salmon-yee-sang-or-yusheng-a-prosperity-toss-dishfor-chinese-new-year-celebration" rel="noopener">Ika Rahma / Vecteezy</a></small>
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<h2>2. Dumplings</h2>
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<p>Dumplings represent wealth because they are shaped like gold ingots, a form of currency in the olden days. That&#8217;s why it&#8217;s believed that the more dumplings you eat during CNY celebrations, the more money you&#8217;ll earn in the new year.</p>
<p>But you have to be careful when making them, because the wrong shape could bring misfortune instead. To make sure your dumplings are lucky ones, ensure they have a good number of pleats. Also, avoid making the junction too flat as this is thought to purport poverty.</p>
<p>Besides that, you have to choose the right filling. A popular tradition during CNY is to eat dumplings filled with radish and cabbage, as this suggests that you will have fair skin and a gentle temperament.</p>
<p>On the flip side, dumplings filled with <i>suan cai</i> (Chinese pickled vegetables) should be avoided during CNY because <i>suan cai</i> implies a poor and difficult future.</p>
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.vecteezy.com/photo/3373366-woman-in-the-kitchen-prepares-dumplings-for-breakfast" rel="noopener">Andrii Tsynhariuk / Vecteezy</a></small>
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<h2>3. Mandarin oranges / Tangerines</h2>
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<p>Just like dumplings, Mandarin oranges also resemble gold ingots, in both shape and colour, carrying a meaning of wealth.</p>
<p>As &#8216;orange&#8217; and &#8216;success&#8217; sound similar in Mandarin, and one of the ways of writing tangerine includes the Chinese character for &#8216;luck&#8217;, eating or displaying Mandarin oranges or tangerines around the home is believed to bring good luck and fortune.</p>
<p>Plus, the act of giving Mandarin oranges to someone is known as &#8216;<i>song gam</i>&#8216; in Cantonese, which can also be translated as &#8216;giving gold&#8217;. So, by giving your loved ones Mandarin oranges, you are wishing prosperity upon them.</p>
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.vecteezy.com/photo/27107924-decorated-flat-putting-traditional-pendant-to-the-red-chinese-new-year-celebrations-for-good-luck-chinese-word-means-blessing" rel="noopener">Sirijit Jongcharoenkulchai / Vecteezy</a></small>
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<h2>4. Longevity noodles</h2>
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<p><p>Other than during Chinese New Year, this noodle dish is also usually served at birthday parties or weddings. It dates back to the Tang Dynasty, can can either be fried or boiled in a broth.</p>
<p>What makes longevity noodles unique, you ask? It&#8217;s that they&#8217;re longer than normal noodles and left uncut, thus representing the hope for the eater to have a long and happy life. You&#8217;re supposed to slurp the noodles whole without breaking them off, as cutting the noodles implies that you&#8217;re &#8216;cutting your life short&#8217;.﻿</p>
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.vecteezy.com/photo/16799579-beautiful-smiling-young-asian-woman-in-red-clothes-with-friend-eating-noodles-with-bamboo-chopsticks-in-the-chinese-vietnamese-restaurant" rel="noopener">Galina Zhigalova / Vecteezy</a></small>
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<h2>5. Steamed fish</h2>
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<p>As previously mentioned, the Mandarin words for fish and abundance are both pronounced as &#8216;<i>yu</i>&#8216;, making fish a particularly important dish during CNY. It is usually steamed, and should be served whole (including the head and tail) to represent &#8216;a year of abundance from start to end&#8217;.</p>
<p>Even choosing the type of fish is important. Many tend to opt for crucian carp (sounds like the Chinese word for good luck), mud carp (pronounced like the Chinese word for gifts), and catfish (sounds like &#8216;year surplus&#8217;).</p>
<p>To show respect, the head of the fish should be facing important guests or elders. Meanwhile, the two people facing the head and tail of the fish should drink together, as this is considered to be a lucky act.</p>
<p>You&#8217;re even encouraged to make sure there&#8217;s some leftover fish for the next day, to represent an overflow of prosperity.</p>
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.vecteezy.com/photo/34228175-steam-fried-marbled-goby-fish-called-ikan-malas-in-siamese-style-served-in-a-dish-on-a-wooden-table-in-a-restaurant-in-indonesia" rel="noopener">Taufik Aziz / Vecteezy</a></small>
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<h2>Find out the meanings of more CNY goodies and traditions:</h2>
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<p>Xīn nián kuài lè!</p>
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Here Are The Meanings Behind 5 Popular Chinese New Year Dishes That You Eat Every Year

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<h2>Kedai Runcit Abdul Wahet never fails to spread festive cheer in the small town of Kuching, Sarawak</h2>
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<p><p>The grocery store, located right next to Kuching city&#8217;s main mosque along Jalan Datuk Ajibah Abol, has been putting up decorations every Chinese New Year for more than 20 years.</p>
<p>Its owner, Fazan Abdul Wahet, told <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://dayakdaily.com/muslim-owned-grocery-shop-continues-family-tradition-of-putting-up-cny-decoration-since-1978/">Dayak Daily </a>that he is simply continuing his family&#8217;s tradition of joining in the festivities.</p>
<p>The 63-year-old said he remembers when his family first decorated their shop with two small homemade Chinese lanterns to celebrate Chinese New Year in 1978.</p>
<p>&#8220;Those days, we just wanted to be a part of the festival, and some family members would find time to make the decorations and to create the festival atmosphere. It was always fun for all of us,&#8221; he said.</p>
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/KedaiRuncitAbdulWahet" rel="noopener">Kedai Runcit Abdul Wahet (Facebook)</a></small>
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<p class="img-caption">Fazan Abdul Wahet (centre) and his nephew-business partner, Muhammad Jaya Idris (right).</p>
<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/KedaiRuncitAbdulWahet" rel="noopener">Kedai Runcit Abdul Wahet (Facebook)</a></small>
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<h2>The shop owner added that celebrating other cultures is nothing unusual in his family as they are of mixed ethnicities</h2>
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<p><p>&#8220;I am of Indian-Bidayuh parentage. Since we are of mixed parentage, we celebrate and put up all sorts of decor for festivals — Hari Raya Aidilfitiri, Gawai Dayak, Christmas, and Chinese New Year —&nbsp;especially for our grocery store.</p>
<p>&#8220;I anticipated that this would bring joy to my customers, regardless of the different ethnicities and cultural celebrations,&#8221; he said.</p>
<p>He also told <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.theborneopost.com/2024/02/05/muslim-shop-owner-continues-tradition-of-putting-up-cny-deco-at-premises/">The Borneo Post</a> that without the decorations and celebrations, customer turnout would be noticeably lower.</p>
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/KedaiRuncitAbdulWahet" rel="noopener">Kedai Runcit Abdul Wahet (Facebook)</a></small>
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/KedaiRuncitAbdulWahet" rel="noopener">Kedai Runcit Abdul Wahet (Facebook)</a></small>
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<h2>Fazan shared that his father founded the business in 1939, which began as a bakery, before they became a grocery store in 1979</h2>
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<p><p>Nowadays, he said Kedai Runcit Abdul Wahet sells traditional biscuits and baked goods such as Sarawak layer cake, love letters, and cookies, as well as curry paste, spices, acar, and more.</p>
<p>In true Malaysian spirit, Fazan, who speaks fluent Hokkien, also added that he provides Indian food catering services to his customers, no matter the occasion.</p>
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<p><b>You can find Kedai Runcit Abdul Wahet here:</b><br />Lot 542, Jalan Datuk Ajibah Abol, 93400 Kuching<br />Opening hours: 9am – 5pm (Daily)﻿</p>
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/KedaiRuncitAbdulWahet" rel="noopener">Kedai Runcit Abdul Wahet (Facebook)</a></small>
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<h2>Read more <a href="https://says.com/my/stories/tagged/feelgood" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#feelgood</a> stories on SAYS:</h2>
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<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/news/principal-vacation-themed-farewell-party" class="ga-curator-related">This M&#8217;sian Principal Had A Vacation-Themed Farewell Party With &#8216;Flight Attendants&#8217;</a></h6>
<p>Students conducted a pre-flight passenger safety briefing and distributed food on trolleys, reminiscent of an in-flight catering service.</p>
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<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/news/ouple-sells-50-cents-tea-to-thank-donors-who-helped-daughter" class="ga-curator-related">Couple Sells Tea At 50 Sen A Cup To Thank Donors Who Helped Daughter Fight Leukaemia</a></h6>
<p>Their daughter was diagnosed with leukaemia at the tender age of two.</p>
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<p>The way the mak cik looks at the police officer says it all. <3</p>
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</article>


This Quaint Muslim-Owned Grocery Store Puts Up Festive Decor For CNY Every Year

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<p><i>Follow us on <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://instagram.com/saysdotcom">Instagram</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://tiktok.com/@saysdotcom">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VZzynzi6RGJG0QbRfy3O">WhatsApp</a>&nbsp;for the latest stories and breaking news.﻿</i></p>
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<h2>1. The legend of 福 (fú)</h2>
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<p>The character itself means blessing, good fortune, and happiness. But have you ever wondered why the Chinese character 福 (fú) is stuck upside down during Chinese New Year celebrations? </p>
<p>Well, <b>it was an honest mistake</b>, according to legends. </p>
<p>The founder of the Ming dynasty, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, once ordered every household to decorate their homes by pasting the character 福 (fú) on their doors. Families were illiterate, and <b>one family stuck it upside down without realising it.</b></p>
<p>On New Year&#8217;s Day, the emperor sent troops to inspect whether the villagers had obeyed his mandate. Soldiers found the illiterate family&#8217;s poster and reported it to the emperor. Furious, the emperor ordered the family to be executed.</p>
<p>But the emperor&#8217;s kind and merciful wife, Empress Ma, came to the family&#8217;s defence and told the emperor, &#8220;That family knew you were coming today, so they deliberately turned the label upside down. <b>Doesn&#8217;t this mean that blessings have arrived (福到, fúdào)?</b>&#8220;</p>
<p>The Chinese characters for &#8220;arrive&#8221; (到, dào) and &#8220;upside down&#8221; (倒, dào) sound similar. </p>
<p>The emperor found the explanation sensible and decided to spare the family. Thus, a tragedy was averted. Since then, people began putting up decorations with the character 福 upside down, hoping to attract<b>&nbsp;prosperity and to honour Empress Ma.</b></p>
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://duchinese.net/lessons/074-upside-down-happiness-character" rel="noopener">Du Chinese</a></small>
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<h2>2. Nian: the beast that started Chinese New Year</h2>
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<p><p>We probably wouldn&#8217;t have a lively, red Chinese New Year if it weren&#8217;t for this terrifying mythical beast called Nian (年).</p>
<p>Nian had the body of a lion and the head of an ox, and the monster would terrorise villages on the eve of the New Year, devouring livestock and killing people. A god, disguised as a wise old man, visited the village and taught the people how to drive away Nian.</p>
<p>He told them that <b>the monster was afraid of the colour red and loud noises.</b> So, the villagers protected their homes by dressing up in red clothes, putting up red decorations on their doors, and setting off firecrackers to scare away Nian. <b>This proved successful, and Nian never appeared again.</b></p>
<p>That&#8217;s why we have sleepless nights on New Year&#8217;s Eve, and also why we have the saying <i>guò nián</i>&nbsp;(过年). The character 过 can mean &#8220;cross&#8221; or &#8220;pass&#8221;, while the monster&#8217;s name and the word for &#8220;year&#8221; are written the same way in Mandarin. So, the saying means &#8220;to celebrate the New Year&#8221;, but it also sounds like &#8220;overcoming Nian&#8221;.</p>
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/Chinese_Customs/Nian.htm" rel="noopener">nationsonline.org</a></small>
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<h2>3. The origin of ang pows</h2>
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<p><p>Receiving ang pows is one of the best parts of the Chinese New Year celebrations (don&#8217;t lie, it&#8217;s literally free money). But its <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://says.com/my/lifestyle/the-history-of-ang-pow-and-why-its-given-out-for-chinese-new-year">origin</a>&nbsp;stems from <b>an attempt t</b><b>o scare away an evil spirit</b>.</p>
<p>It was said that this evil spirit, named Sui, was known to appear every Chinese New Year&#8217;s Eve to pat the heads of sleeping children three times. The children would wake up the next morning with a terrible fever, or sometimes, they wouldn&#8217;t wake up at all.</p>
<p>A worried couple prayed to their god to protect their newborn child. Hearing their prayers, the god sent eight fairies to help the family. To trick the demon, the fairies transformed themselves into eight coins,﻿ which were then wrapped in red paper and placed under the infant&#8217;s pillow.</p>
<p>When Sui came, <strong>beams of golden light burst out from the red paper and scared Sui away</strong>.</p>
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<p>From then on, parents started giving children money wrapped in red paper on Chinese New Year&#8217;s Eve. <strong>Over time, ang pows ceased to become protectors from evil spirits and became a symbol of well wishes and blessings for children.</strong></p>
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-red-envelopes-6691720/" rel="noopener">RDNE Stock project/Pexels</a></small>
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<h2>4. The Chinese [zodiac] (https://says.com/my/stories/tagged/zodiac) cycle</h2>
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<p><p>Every Chinese New Year, stores sell decorative items featuring different zodiac animals for that year. But where do all these animals come from?</p>
<p>Legend has it that the Jade Emperor organised a race to determine the order of the Chinese zodiac. The <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://says.com/my/lifestyle/rat-full-zodiac-reading-2024">rat</a>, clever and resourceful, won by hitching a ride on the <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://says.com/my/lifestyle/ox-full-zodiac-reading-2024">ox</a>&#8216;s back. And so, the rat and the ox hold the first and second place in the zodiac cycle, respectively.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://says.com/my/lifestyle/pig-full-zodiac-reading-2024">pig</a> came last. They are different variations as to why he finished last in the race. Some legends say it was because he was lazy and overslept, while others say he had stopped for a snack.</p>
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/sex-and-love/a39194473/chinese-zodiac-compatibility/" rel="noopener">Christine Giordano/Women&#8217;s Health</a></small>
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<h2>5. The red underwear tradition</h2>
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<p><p>Speaking of zodiac cycles, it is believed that you are more prone to catching the attention of malicious spirits during your zodiac animal year (<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://says.com/my/lifestyle/dragon-full-zodiac-reading-2024">Dragon babies</a>, beware!).</p>
<p>Similar to the story of Nian, there&#8217;s a way you can safeguard yourself. And that&#8217;s by wearing as much red as possible, particularly your underwear.</p>
<p>It may sound like a foolish superstition, but according to a 2023 <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://edition.cnn.com/2023/01/19/opinions/lunar-new-year-traditions-red-underwear-hua-ctrp/index.html">CNN</a> article, Google searches for &#8220;red underwear Chinese New Year&#8221; typically rise in the weeks leading up to the holiday.﻿</p>
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3164882/how-have-extra-lucky-lunar-new-year-red-underwear-and-loan" rel="noopener">Taobao/SCMP</a></small>
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<h2>6. The story of the Lantern Festival</h2>
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<p>The Chinese Lantern Festival takes places on the fifteenth day of Chinese New Year, marking the end of the festive celebration. During the occasion, people light thousands of paper lanterns and release them into the night sky. However, the festival&#8217;s origin isn&#8217;t quite as beautiful as a sky full of lanterns.</p>
<p>Supposedly, the <b>Jade Emperor&#8217;s favourite crane was killed by some villagers</b>, so he wanted to take revenge by burning down their village on the 15th day of the first lunar month. When his daughter heard about her father&#8217;s plan, she felt sorry for the hapless villagers and secretly warned them about what was going to happen.</p>
<p>To save themselves, the villagers decided to trick the Jade Emperor into thinking their village was already on fire. They did this by hanging red lanterns, setting off firecrackers, and lighting fires throughout the village. <b>From the heavens, it appeared as though the Earth was on fire</b>, so the Jade Emperor didn&#8217;t carry out his plan.﻿</p>
<p>Afterwards, residents continued to light firecrackers and hang red lanterns every year to commemorate the event. </p>
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://unsplash.com/photos/group-of-people-gathering-for-a-paper-lantern-festival-aNoW1UZnXEo" rel="noopener">Jenny Le/Unsplash</a></small>
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<h2>Ever wondered why specific snacks are enjoyed during Chinese New Year? We covered it here:</h2>
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<p>A little tidbit about these CNY tidbits.</p>
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<h2>Check out more [#CNY2024] (https://says.com/my/stories/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&#038;q=cny+2024) stories on SAYS:</h2>
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<p>If you haven&#8217;t bought yours yet.</p>
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<p>New year, new opportunities&#8230; for wealth!</p>
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<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/lifestyle/5-chinese-new-year-customs-that-aren-t-as-common-anymore" class="ga-curator-related">5 Chinese New Year Customs That Aren&#8217;t As Common Anymore &#038; Why</a></h6>
<p>I&#8217;m still unlucky regardless of whether I actually do these things.</p>
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<p>The day physical ang pows are no more is the day I&#8217;ll riot.</p>
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6 Folklores & Legends That Shape How We Spend Our Chinese New Year

8 Chinese New Year Snacks & Their Meanings If You've Ever Wondered Why You're Eating Them

8 Chinese New Year Snacks & Their Meanings If You’ve Ever Wondered Why You’re Eating Them

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8 Easy Phrases To Say When You Toss Yee Sang Instead Of Just Yelling ‘Aaaaaaah’

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<h2>This is pussy willow</h2>
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://unsplash.com/photos/a-close-up-of-a-tree-with-lots-of-leaves-1RKvTmcwxhI" rel="noopener">Townsend Walton/Unsplash</a></small>
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<p>Pussy willows are a specific type of willow trees that produce soft, furry flower clusters, also known as <b>catkins</b>.</p>
<p>These catkins are&nbsp;often covered in fine, silvery hairs that <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://shuncy.com/article/why-is-it-called-pussy-willow">resemble</a> tiny, fluffy kittens&#8217; paws or soft kitten fur, which is how the plant got its playful name.</p>
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<h2>We often see pussy willows used in arrangements, bouquets, and decorations around the home or office, particularly during Lunar New Year. </p>
<p>But why are they so popular?</h2>
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<p>In Chinese culture, people appreciate the symbolic meanings of plants, and pussy willow is no exception.</p>
<p>The fluffy catkins of the pussy willow <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://metro.co.uk/2018/02/15/chinese-new-year-8-flowers-and-plants-that-will-bring-you-luck-and-prosperity-7302864/"><b>symbolise</b></a><b> growth, prosperity, and the coming of spring</b>, making them a common decoration during the festive season.</p>
<p>People display them in homes, businesses, and public spaces to usher<b>&nbsp;good luck and positive energy</b> during Chinese New Year celebrations.</p>
<p>The catkins are usually white or grey in colour, however, sometimes florists dye them in various pops of colour, such as red, yellow, orange, and fuchsia.</p>
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://floralspell.com.sg/collections/chinese-new-year-decor-flowers" rel="noopener">Floral Spell</a></small>
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<h2>In some Chinese beliefs, willow trees, including pussy willow, are associated with the idea of eternal life</h2>
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<p><b>Their branches are flexible and bend without breaking, suggesting resilience and longevity.</b></p>
<p>Pussy willows can also last a long time, making them excellent choices as houseplants even after Chinese New Year is over.</p>
<p>So, the pussy willow in Chinese culture isn&#8217;t just a plant; it&#8217;s a symbol intertwined with cultural values and hopes for a prosperous future.&nbsp;It is used to usher in positive energy and signify the start of a new cycle.</p>
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://unsplash.com/photos/a-close-up-of-a-vase-with-flowers-in-it-AhDMUJvxuzA" rel="noopener">Kelly Sikkema/Unsplash</a></small>
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<h2>Check out how different dialect groups celebrate Chinese New Year in Malaysia:</h2>
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<h2>What&#8217;s the significance of mandarin oranges during this time of year and other fun facts about Chinese New Year:</h2>
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<p>To think, it&#8217;s probably the the most popular CNY song in the world!</p>
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<p>Xīn nián kuài lè!</p>
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<p>I&#8217;m still unlucky regardless of whether I actually do these things.</p>
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<p>The day physical ang pows are no more is the day I&#8217;ll riot.</p>
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How Did Pussy Willow Get Its Name And Why Is It So Important During CNY?

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<h2>An eight-year-old boy from Sarawak has been selected to represent Malaysia in the 2024 World Championship of Performing Arts in the US</h2>
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/unitkomunikasidanpenerangansarawak/posts/pfbid0R6kTKctNL5JZ9S2ZU2ZWm69GBnc6ZFHtreJibRASebN8fjsdi9tdWFXAvVyqcikRl" rel="noopener">Unit Komunikasi Awam Sarawak (Facebook)</a></small>
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<p><p>According to <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.theborneopost.com/2024/01/29/sarawaks-dion-das-louis-to-represent-country-in-world-championship-of-performing-arts-2024-in-us/">The Borneo Post</a>, <b>Dion Das Louis </b>was selected to represent the country after he won the Junior Dance category at the grand final of the national preliminaries that was held at Panggung Bandaraya in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, 27 January.</p>
<p>He outscored five other contestants by performing a contemporary Iban Ngajat dance as the character &#8216;The Little Bornean Birdie&#8217;, which is inspired by the two beautiful birds of Sarawak —&nbsp;the hornbill and the <i>burung ruai </i>(great argus).</p>
<p>The <i>burung ruai</i> is a type of pheasant that is native to the jungles of Borneo and known for its impressive plumage.</p>
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<h2>Dion won a gold medal, a RM3,000 scholarship, and the privilege to compete at the 2024 World Championship of Performing Arts in Long Beach, California</h2>
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<p>The eight-year-old will be joining a team of other Malaysian dancers, singers, actors, models, and musicians to take part in the international competition from 28 June to 6 July.</p>
<p>Dion&#8217;s mum additionally told SAYS that he started learning the ethnic Iban dance on his own from the age of six.</p>
<p>Since then, Dion has been performing at events and winning local talent competitions, such as the 2023 <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.facebook.com/aerovillemallkuching/videos/659322105704902/">Aeroville Mall Kids&#8217; Talent Competition</a>&nbsp;and the 2023&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@garylauder/video/7281112321894731016">Kuching Busking Festival</a>. He has even performed at Kuching Waterfront&#8217;s 2024 New Year countdown event.</p>
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<h2>Watch a video of Dion performing here:</h2>
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