China's new year a time for fortune-telling and chasing luck

SBS World News Radio: Lunar New Year is a time of celebration, family and food, but in China its also a time of superstition and fortune-telling.

China's new year a time for fortune-telling and chasing luck

China's new year a time for fortune-telling and chasing luck Source: AAP

From having kids to making career choices, hundreds seek Feng Shui Master Wang Hao Hua's advice every Lunar New Year.

"They wonder in 2017 what are some wise investments, should they change their household decoration, setting or furniture positions. Is it a good time to have a baby? These are the most common questions."

Master Wang uses ancient Chinese texts to predict his clients' futures.

Those born in the Year of the Rooster are said to be confident and hard working, and according to Master Wang it's a good year for investment.

"In the year 2017 things will go up and you can invest more in reasonable investments and that will be rewarding for everyone."

It's advice his client, businessman Cui Jie is happy to hear.

"I have my own business and I always want to make sure this is better than the last, so I'm happy if someone can tell me to avoid certain mistakes. It's helpful to have instructions with my career and life."

During the new year period, work in China winds down but tradition and superstition go into overdrive.

People don't only choose to seek to read their fortune via feng shui.

Tarot psychic Hao Ting says during this period his workload triples.

He says most clients are curious about the same things:

"They ask, 'It's a new year, what are the bad things that might happen? What can I do to make good things happen?' But mostly they ask about romance and financial fortune. These are the things they mostly care about, everyone loves talking about these things."

According to Hao Ting, those born in the year of the Rooster themselves may have a year of more risks than rewards ahead.

"This year is bad for the rooster people. You can clearly tell which ones are born in the year of the rooster from their cards. Even though they don't say what animal year they are, you can tell because the cards indicate it. We remind them of ways to avoid bad things and improve their future."

In China avoiding bad luck sometimes means acting early.

Hair salons are packed: a new hair-do before the new year is good but one shortly after is not.

Barber Li Song explains the traditional reason.

"They say don't cut your hair in the first month of the new year or your family will suffer."

Auspicious red and gold symbols are hung above entrances to invite good luck into homes.

And festive decorations lure shoppers into malls to buy gifts.

While winter temperatures mean it's freezing cold outside, indoors it's steaming - in kitchens that is.

Batches of dumplings are being cooked in homes all over the country.

Renowned Beijing Dumpling chef Shi Xinzhong says they're integral to the new year.

"Each time we eat dumplings it feels like we're celebrating a festival. It's gives us a sense of joy and we feel good. China has a lot of traditions about dumplings, like to put a coin in one of the dumplings and whoever eats it will have a whole year of joy and happiness."

Eating dumplings during lunar new year is said to bring good luck.

The dish represents family unity and prosperity.

Millions across China are already traveling long distances to join family.

And at midnight on the 28th of January fireworks will be lit, scaring off evil spirits and marking the beginning of the seven-day holiday.

Over the following week families will gather to perform rituals - like exchanging money in red envelopes and praying at temples, all wishing for a lucky year ahead.

 

 


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4 min read
Published 30 January 2017 4:00pm
Updated 31 January 2017 6:29am
By Katrina Yu


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