"Kung Hsi Fa Tsai" -"a happy and prosperous New Year." "Kung Ho Hsin Hsi"-a traditional New Year's greeting
"People wore masks of religious figures or Chinese gods and goddesses and walked on stilts. Firecrackers were set off constantly. We dressed in our best clothes when we got up in the morning and bowed to the elders in the house. We then brought oranges to friends" -Chi-Lui Der, St. Louis Globe-Democrat
The Chinese use a traditional calendar, called the lunar calendar, to mark the beginning of the New Year celebration. This celebration consisted of feasting, elaborate decorating, parades, fireworks, fire-breathing dragon displays, visiting with friends and family, and most of all, no working!
Before the community began celebrating the New Year, the On Leong association held a special, private ceremony at midnight on the holiday's eve. (Only members of the association were allowed, which meant no women.) After the first ringing of the gong, the members would pay homage to Gwan Gung by lighting aromatic joss sticks. Once their homage was paid, the gong would ring again-signifying to the members the beginning of the New Year. The explosion of fireworks signified to the community that celebrations could commence!
On the morning of the New Year, parents gave their children laisee envelopes (traditional red and gold envelopes) that contained "lucky money." The next few days consisted of visiting friends and relatives and the exchanging of gifts. (Oranges symbolize good fortune and longevity.) Most of the festivities were decorated in red, because red is the Chinese color for luck and happiness. The celebration would come to an end fifteen days later with the Lantern Festival.
In St. Louis during the 1950s, the Chinese New Year held the same meaning for Chinatown residents and was celebrated with the same fervor. Yet, another special meaning was attached to the holiday. Traditional celebrations gave many parents an opportunity to teach their assimilated children more about the Chinese culture. Even today, Chinese Americans, along with other St. Louisans, can learn about the Chinese culture through celebrations like the Chinese New Year, which is held annually.
