Two years ago some Chinese friends of mine took me to
NTDTVs (New Tang Dynasty TV) live Chinese New Year Spectacular. It was a
thrilling and enchanting music and dance performance, with traditional Chinese
instruments and costumes faithfully recreated from old manuscripts, paintings
and pottery. The dragons, drums and dancers all evoked the grandeur of Chinas great
dynasties and legends of remote history.
Ancient Chinese traditions speak of harmony between heaven
and earth. They say that humans were created by Gods. Culture as well as moral
and spiritual guidance were also imparted to humans by divine beings during
different times in history. When humans respect the Tao, the Divine Law or
Way and follow Heavens order, society will be prosperous and peaceful.
Like most Westerners I knew next to nothing about the
Chinese New Year. So I asked my friends to tell me more and share their
favorite New Years memories. I learned that Chinese New Year is actually
celebrated by almost a quarter of the worlds population in several Asian
countries where it is the most important holiday of the year. It follows the
Lunar calendar, and the date varies each year, depending on the moons cycle.
Several friends shared about fire works and favorite
foodsdumplings were often mentionedand various traditions. One is to write
poems or lucky phrases on red paper to be pasted around every familys door.
After breakfast there would be a round of visits. The first stop would be at a
local temple to burn incense and honor the gods. Next came visits to relatives
and friends. In many towns musicians paraded through streets to announce the
arrival of spring.
The Lantern Festival marks the end of the New Year season. It
evolved from the ancient belief of celestial spirits flying about in the light
of the first full moon. Lanterns of many colors and shapes were lit during the
night.
Maquiong, who grew up in a town near the Yangzi River,
said, Some communities would organize a lantern market. Usually, my mom would
take us to watch the activities. Later shed cook another good dinner which
included dumplings filled with syrup, which symbolizes harmony in the family
and sweetness of life.
She said that in recent years traditions like these have
been changing in China.
In big cities fireworks were forbidden, and people have New Years dinner at
restaurants. Also, many people exchange new year greetings by phone and dont
visit each other so much anymore. But in my memories, Maquiong said, Chinese
New Year always means having a good time.
"Traditional Chinese culture and spiritual traditions
were destroyed and outlawed by the Chinese Communist Party, said Jason, a medical doctor. He said
that the CCP smashed almost all the temples and burned the ancient manuscripts.
Since coming to power in the late 40s, they have changed history books and
brainwashed generations of Chinese with party culture, class struggle and
Marxist ideology.
Young people
know nothing about true Chinese history or the deeper values of our ancient
traditions, Jason said. NTDTV and its annual global Chinese New Year Shows
are instrumental in promoting a rebirth of traditional Chinese culture. The
performances are magnificent and full of nobility.
The 2007 NTDTV New Year Spectacular will be touring Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington,
DC, plus major cities in Canada,
Europe and Asia. http://shows.ntdtv.com
