| Two years ago some Chinese friends of mine | | | | of spring. |
| took me to NTDTV's (New Tang Dynasty TV) | | | | The Lantern Festival marks the end of the New |
| live Chinese New Year Spectacular. It was a | | | | Year season. It evolved from the ancient belief of |
| thrilling and enchanting music and dance | | | | celestial spirits flying about in the light of the first |
| performance, with traditional Chinese instruments | | | | full moon. Lanterns of many colors and shapes |
| and costumes faithfully recreated from old | | | | were lit during the night. |
| manuscripts, paintings and pottery. The dragons, | | | | Maquiong, who grew up in a town near the Yangzi |
| drums and dancers all evoked the grandeur of | | | | River, said, "Some communities would organize a |
| China's great dynasties and legends of remote | | | | lantern market. Usually, my mom would take us |
| history. | | | | to watch the activities. Later she'd cook another |
| Ancient Chinese traditions speak of harmony | | | | good dinner which included dumplings filled with |
| between heaven and earth. They say that | | | | syrup, which symbolizes harmony in the family |
| humans were created by Gods. Culture as well as | | | | and sweetness of life." |
| moral and spiritual guidance were also imparted to | | | | She said that in recent years traditions like these |
| humans by divine beings during different times in | | | | have been changing in China. In big cities fireworks |
| history. When humans respect the Tao, the | | | | were forbidden, and people have New Year's |
| "Divine Law or Way" and follow Heaven's order, | | | | dinner at restaurants. Also, many people |
| society will be prosperous and peaceful. | | | | exchange new year greetings by phone and don't |
| Like most Westerners I knew next to nothing | | | | visit each other so much anymore. "But in my |
| about the Chinese New Year. So I asked my | | | | memories," Maquiong said, "Chinese New Year |
| friends to tell me more and share their favorite | | | | always means having a good time." |
| New Year's memories. I learned that Chinese New | | | | "Traditional Chinese culture and spiritual traditions |
| Year is actually celebrated by almost a quarter of | | | | were destroyed and outlawed by the Chinese |
| the world's population in several Asian countries | | | | Communist Party," said Jason, a medical doctor. |
| where it is the most important holiday of the | | | | He said that the CCP smashed almost all the |
| year. It follows the Lunar calendar, and the date | | | | temples and burned the ancient manuscripts. Since |
| varies each year, depending on the moon's cycle. | | | | coming to power in the late 40s, they have |
| Several friends shared about fire works and | | | | changed history books and brainwashed |
| favorite foods-dumplings were often | | | | generations of Chinese with party culture, class |
| mentioned-and various traditions. One is to write | | | | struggle and Marxist ideology. |
| poems or lucky phrases on red paper to be | | | | "Young people know nothing about true Chinese |
| pasted around every family's door. After | | | | history or the deeper values of our ancient |
| breakfast there would be a round of visits. The | | | | traditions," Jason said. "NTDTV and its annual |
| first stop would be at a local temple to burn | | | | global Chinese New Year Shows are instrumental |
| incense and honor the gods. Next came visits to | | | | in promoting a rebirth of traditional Chinese culture. |
| relatives and friends. In many towns musicians | | | | The performances are magnificent and full of |
| paraded through streets to announce the arrival | | | | nobility. |