Comments on: Can I celebrate Chinese New Year?

By: allthingspurple

allthingspurple — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 14:39:23 +0000

I think different custom different rules leh. BTW, brown is considered a darker shade of red for the hokkiens. When my dad passed away, we didnt celebrate for years till one of us had kids, but only because it reminds us too much of my dad. He passed away on CNY eve itself. So CNY and CNY eve has always a sad time for us , even now, because we held a prayer for him on CNY eve. But we now celebrates it because of the kids. But if I am not mistaken, the custom is that off springs do not celebrate for 3 years. And you could visits on CNY but visitors are not allowed in your ancestral home.

But in the Cantonese custom, when my grandad passed away, we wore red on the 3rd day itself, to ward bad luck. And we celebrated CNY thereafter and wore bright colours after the 3rd day of funeral.

That being said, I think nowadays the pantang larang has relaxed somewhat , so it’s like you do what you are comfortable with. Hope that helps

By: KittyCat

KittyCat — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 06:49:59 +0000

A Mom’s Diary – Thanks for sharing your experience. I just found myself a simple pink and white top that I can live with and make my MIL happy too

Chumpman – Thanks…I prefer lavender, purple and dark red actually to the brilliant red of CNY. Will keep my eyes open…

By: chumpman

chumpman — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 04:26:10 +0000

hmmm how about lavender color? soft lavender dress is alright. I think no problem celebrating CNY because normally it took 100 days for the mourning (that’s what i heard fro my girlfriend from HK). Since its passed that time already, its fine to celebrate CNY dun worry, take it easy yea

By: a-moms-diary

a-moms-diary — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:44:47 +0000

I celebrated CNY as usual the year after my dad’s passing, and that’s an even shorter gap compared to yours since dad passed away in Sept. My in-laws said the pantang or whatever doesn’t apply to me as I now “belong” to their family.

By: KittyCat

KittyCat — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:26:50 +0000

Goolypop, Paik Ling, Mott and HN – Thanks for the colour suggestions. I forgot there are 7 colours in the rainbow to choose from…

Syn – Yeah, will check with MIL. We’re definitely celebrating Christmas (for the kids) and also in memory of my father. He’d insisted we celebrated it too in the year my grandpa died. I never understood why then, but I know now.

Angeleyes – Aiyo, my Mum is very blur about Chinese customs one! My MIL will be able to advise. Thanks, dear!

Zewt – I think if you Googled it in Chinese, you’d be able to find the 22 brands. Not sure if all of them are marketed outside China though…LOL, are you serious how the Min. of Health did it?

VivianZ – Thanks for the feedback about the angpow. I think that makes sense…I don’t mind being a part of the festivity, just not in much of a festive mood, you know? And angpow giving can be quite ‘fun’ and ‘jovial’ I know…gonna make Hubby do it next year.

Uncle Lee – Thanks…I’m sure he does. I don’t really care about what people think. I just don’t want people to go “Choi! How can you inflict your bad luck on us bla bla bla…” you know? Having a very nice Chinese auntie suddenly change her mind about accompanying me for the medical procedure shook me up a bit, you see. And the last thing I want is for people to say, “Didn’t your parents teach you anything?”