Chinese New Year Traditions: Barongsai, Firecrackers, and Red Envelopes

Jakarta, Inako

In Chinese culture, a firecracker is lit to frighten evil spirits. Legend says that a lion-like monster called Nian would come out and eat the villagers and destroy their houses on New Year’s Eve. To scare away the beasts, they would burn dry bamboo to produce a loud noise. Nowadays, lighting firecrackers becomes the highlight of the celebration.

[caption id="attachment_16957" align="alignnone" width="425"] Firecrackers Lit to Frighten Evil Spirits [ist][/caption]Firecrackers are also used during Barongsai - a dance where people would dress up in Nian costumes and go around asking for Angpao (red envelope with money inside). Then, audience would put the Angpao inside the monster’s mouth.

Leader of Team Barongsai Kun Seng Keng, Deni, says that giving away money in red envelope is thought to give away bad luck and attract blessings and good fortune to the senders.

[caption id="attachment_16956" align="alignnone" width="412"] Angpao or Red Envelope Brings Good Fortune [ist][/caption]Ang is red, and Pao is envelope, so the red envelope means that the bad luck is being ‘eaten’ by the lion and then the sender will receive good luck. The bad ones go, the good ones come” said Deni.