19/01/2017
Chinese New Year is around the corner.
If you want to see some traditions of Taiwan, this time will be your best choice.
Different parts of Taiwan have very different traditions.
The following are the most typical:
👨👨👧New Year's Eve Dinner:
Normally, this is the family reunion dinner, especially for those with family members away from home.
During the dinner, normally fish will be served because the characters for “fish” (魚) and “surplus” (餘) are homonyms.
Therefore, a fish dish represents the expression nian nian you yu (年年有餘) or “every year a surplus.”
👛Red Packets
The Red packet is a red envelope with money in it.
It was believed that the money in the red packet will suppress the evil from the children, keep them healthy, and give them a long life.
👹Shou Sui
Shou Sui means "after the New Year's Eve dinner" as family members will normally stay awake during the night.
According to tales and legends, there was a mythical beast named the "Year".
At the night of New Year's Eve, the "Year" will come out to harm people.
Later, people found that the "Year" is afraid of the color red, fire, and loud sounds.
Therefore, at the New Year's Eve night, people will launch fireworks, light fires, and stay awake the whole night to fend off the "Year".
