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