Starting this blog in 2014 was a resolution of mine, so it it seems somewhat fitting that I am starting it just a few days into the New Year- the Chinese New Year that is :)
Growing up we normally marked Chinese New Year in some way; a meal, or a trip into town to see the lanterns and lion dances and lanterns. I distinctly remember seeing a long, giant lion puppet snake its way round the circular ticket desk of Victoria and Albert museum, lurching into the faces of the staff. My mother had studied in China and CNY was one of the few chances she got to crack out her Mandarin (that and ordering in Chinese in Chinese restaurants, which seemed very impressive). Her connection to the country was I suppose the most significant reason we celebrated CNY, but it seems to me CNY is celebrated in a bigger way other 'foreign' festivals.
On Friday the supermarkets had their Oriental ready meals and stir fry sauces proudly on display. I doubt these were aimed at Chinese customers, whereas from what I from Eid-al-Fitr last year, the 'Eid Mubarak' banners were displayed next to 'ethnic' ingredients, as opposed to the targeting the wider British population.
Do more Brits celebrate Chinese New Year than Eid or Diwali or Hannukah? If so, why? A fascination with the Orient? A better marketing campaign? Or is it due to the fact that CNY is, or is perceived to be, a secular event?
While there are definitely major Buddhist/Confucian/Taoist elements to CNY festivities, I think at least in this country it is seen far more as a cultural celebration as opposed to a religious one. The theist elements are light of touch; stories, spirituality and superstition but not a lot of God. It's safe, it's fun, and one participate without straying into the territory of worshipping false idols. It also brightens up a wet and dark part of the year, when the pleasures of Christmas and our (Gregorian) New Year are fading.
Could these two aspects also contribute to the success of Halloween (American) and St Patricks Day?
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