Celebrate Chinese New Year 2022 in New Normal Style

Day of Shopping

For Chinese New Year 2022, which falls on Tuesday 1 February 2022, there are two important days leading up to the main celebration, known as the “Day of Celebration.” These days are the “Day of Shopping” and the “Day of Worship.” Let’s take a look at what Thai Chinese people typically do on the Day of Shopping.

• The Day of Shopping falls on Sunday 30 January 2022.
• The Day of Worship falls on Monday 31 January 2022.
• The Day of Celebration falls on Tuesday 1 February 2022.
  

The Day of Shopping is the day before the Chinese lunar New Year’s Eve. On this day, Thai Chinese people buy food, fruits, and various offerings such as fish, duck, chicken, and other meats to prepare for ancestor worship before shops close for the holidays. It is also a common belief to clean the house, repaint, or decorate with lights for brightness. People often decorate their homes with paper containing good luck messages and wear new red clothing, which is considered auspicious. Many business owners also prefer to give bonuses to their employees on this day.

Day of Warship

 The Day of Worship falls on Monday 31 January 2022. There will be three periods of worship ceremony. 

• In the early morning, we pay respect to gods with offerings: three types of meat which are pork, duck, chicken, or we can add liver and fish (five types of meat in total), liquor, tea, and gold and silver paper.
• In the late morning, we pay respect to our ancestors, including parents and relatives who have passed away. This will be done no later than noon. The offerings consist of three types of meat, sweet and savory foods (the ancestors’ favorites), as well as the silver and gold paper and paper clothing to be burned to give to them. After that, everyone in the family will gather to eat the foods that has been offered for good fortune.
• In the afternoon, we pay respect to stray. The offerings include Chinese New Year's cake, stuffed dough pyramid, silver and gold paper along with lighting firecrackers to ward off evil spirits and for good fortune. In the evening, family members and relatives gather to eat dinner together. One of the important menus according to beliefs is dumplings because it is believed that eating dumplings on this day will bring wealth and gold throughout the year. Part of this comes from the belief that the shape of the dumpling is similar to the shape of Chinese money.
  

Day of Celebration

This year, the Day of Celebration for Chinese New Year falls on Tuesday 1 February 2022. It is considered a day of good fortune. On this day, Thai Chinese people traditionally wear bright, colorful clothing and avoid black and white garments entirely. They go out, travel, and visit elder relatives to pay respects and seek blessings for good luck. Additionally, they refrain from any sinful activities. In some households that strictly adhere to customs, there are specific beliefs and prohibitions to follow on Chinese New Year, such as:

• Avoid housework: Doing housework during Chinese New Year is believed to drive away good luck, so most Chinese people clean their homes thoroughly before the festival.

• Avoid washing your hair: It is believed that washing your hair washes away the good luck that comes with the New Year.

• Avoid using sharp objects: Using knives, scissors, or nail clippers is seen as cutting away the good fortune or a promising future that the New Year brings.

• Avoid using foul language: Refrain from saying negative words, especially those related to illness or death, as they are considered inauspicious.
  

Spend the Day of Spending, Day of Worshipping, and Day of Celebration in New Normal Style

We have now covered the three important days of the Chinese New Year festival. Although these customs are observed every year, this year, some activities will require extra caution due to the ongoing spread of COVID-19. Therefore, during the 2022 Chinese New Year celebrations—the Day of Shopping, the Day of Worship, and the Day of Celebration—it is crucial to follow COVID-19 prevention measures strictly. Here are some guidelines to follow:

• 🛒 On the Day of Shopping, choose to buy offerings from reliable sources, vendors, and online platforms. Wash food ingredients, such as vegetables and fruits, thoroughly to ensure they are clean and safe. Store prepared foods in clean, sealed containers. Plan your purchases in advance to minimize the time spent shopping in markets.
  
• 🏮 On the Day of Worship, cook food thoroughly and reheat it every 2 hours before eating. Set up the ancestor worship area in a well-ventilated space. Use serving utensils when sharing food. Wear masks properly at all times. Clean your hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Maintain a distance of 1-2 meters from others. If you are sick, have a fever, cough, or sneeze, do not participate in family activities.
  
• 😎 On the Day of Celebration, visit a restaurant or a place passing Covid Free Setting standards. You can also give red envelopes online.

Alright! Now that you've learned about the Day of Shopping, the Day of Worship, and the Day of Celebration, we hope everyone can apply them correctly. Chinese New Year is a time for families to come together and celebrate, but due to the current situation, it might be safer to connect online rather than in person. Don't forget to give good things to each other during Chinese New Year. For comprehensive health coverage that meets the needs of every family member, consider Muang Thai Life Assurance's COVID-19 coverage, protecting against pandemics, critical illnesses, and general health issues. Coverage options range from 200,000 to 100,000,000 Baht, with entry age up to 80 years and continuous coverage until the age of 99 years*.

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Sources:  data retrieved on 19/01/2022

🔖 thansettakij (data as of 14/01/2022)

🔖 prachachat (data as of 17/01/2022) 

🔖 tnnthailand (data as of 18/01/2022) 

🔖 trueid (data as of 14/01/2022)

🔖 chiangmainews (data as of 05/02/2019)