Chinese New Year's Eve

Tonight is Chinese New Year's Eve. In China, New Year's evening is called Ch’u-yeh, the "evening of discarding", because we can finally be done with the old year, and with winter. 

This last day of the year is busy, because it’s the last chance to complete preparations and be ready to start the year fresh. When the running around is done, the family spends the rest of the day at home together-- family connections are the big theme for this holiday.

Agenda:
1. Thanksgiving ceremony
2. Welcoming ceremony
3. Have a family feast

1. Thanksgiving ceremony:
Chinese families fill this afternoon and evening with many ceremonies- Ch’u-yeh is a day of thanksgiving for the blessings of the old year; folks give thanks-offerings to a variety of Chinese gods, to their own ancestors, and to the Spirits of the mountains, forests, and rivers. They light incense and candles, and place flowers, fruits, and other special foods on the altar; then they bow and offer sincere thanks.  

This ceremony is traditionally done in the afternoon, when other work is done. Today after lunch I will make myself a pot of tea, and settle on a cushion in my studio.

1. I will light a small white candle, center myself, and feel myself fill with thankfulness for all I have now in my life.

2. I will offer a prayer of gratitude to my ancestors, and to the Spirits of the mountains, forests, and rivers, and God in all forms. 

3. Finally, I will send thanks for the blessings of the old year, and ask for an abundance of new blessings for the New Lunar Year.

2. Welcoming Ceremony:
Last week, on Little New year, we sent the Kitchen God and his wife to heaven in a fire. Today I will have a small ceremony to welcome the Kitchen God and his wife back home.

First I will make a new portrait using a copy of one I drew a few years ago, and color it with colored pencils.

Then I will hang it in the niche in my spice rack, light red candles, and have a moment of silence to think about ways I could improve.

This year I resolve to be be kinder and more helpful to my family, more tenacious with housecleaning, and have more integrity with my cooking and eating choices.

3. Have a family feast:
Traditionally, the whole family gathers tonight to share a grand feast, usually a whole chicken or fish to symbolize family togetherness. We had our feast last night, because that's when schedules allowed.