Happy Chinese new years everyone! With Chinese new years just around the corner, I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone the importance of passing down cultural traditions and heritage so that they are not lost in the near future. It is partly due to our cultural differences that make the world such a wonderful place to see and explore.
Can you imagine how boring it would be if everywhere you traveled all you see is boring, indistinguishable highrises and shopping malls? Part of what makes traveling fun is because we are being blessed with a planet full of diversity and we are able to share and rejoice in our differences. For myself, one of the biggest joys of living is being able to travel and see new countries for the first time.
I fear much like monetization of the western Christmas celebration, much of the same is happening with the lunar new year celebration. The "modern" lunar new year celebration may be losing its significance as the perception of what is deemed customary becomes more and more vague in the attempt to appeal to the masses. It is up to the parents of the next generation to do everything they can to ensure our children will have the opportunity to retrace their cultural roots and be familiarise with their heritage.
Some of the best parts of the lunar year are the folklore and legends that gave life and meaning to the celebrations. Here's an animated story of the demon called "Nian" and the mythical origins of the lunar new year celebration: