According
to legend, many, many years ago, Buddha asked all the animals
to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came and Buddha
named a year after each one. The Chinese New Year which
began on February 7th and continued until the 15th, is the
longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar.
At the suggestion of our friends, Vic and Jo Recchia, we
recently joined them for a second New Year’s celebration
at the uniquely special Jani Chinese restaurant in Milford.
Not only is the food and atmosphere special, it is the only
Connecticut place I know of in which to view an exciting
New Year’s “Lion Dance” performed by members
of the Ling Nam Siu Lum, King Fu Academy. (In many areas,
New Years ends with the lantern festival and a dragon dance).
Drummers begin the impressive ceremony, followed by two
huge leaping, slithering, cavorting “lions”
manned by several hidden performers. Each table in the restaurant
is provided with red envelopes into which diners place some
money and as the lion slithers and leaps next to your table,
you quickly place the envelope into it’s huge mouth,
which then will bring you luck for the coming year.
This is the Year of the Rat
or Wu Zi. Since there are twelve animal names, year names
are re-cycled every twelve years. The Chinese feel this
is a simple system especially for old people who often lose
track of their age. They only have to remember that they
were born in the Year of the Dog, the Monkey, etc. For example,
anyone born in the Year of the Rat is now either 1, 13,
25, 37, 49, 61, 73 or 97. I find this a great idea….
no need to lie about your age as you automatically are granted
a twelve year range instead of a specific age. People born
in the Year of the Rat are industrious and busy following
personal goals. They are also perfectionists and have a
high energy level. Mozart, Truman Capote, Mata Hari and
George Washington were all born in a year of the rat.
Our tradition of starting
the New Year with a “clean slate” is inherited
from the Chinese belief
that New Year activities set a precedent. Therefore, the
entire house must be cleaned before the holiday. But to
sweep the dirt out by the front entrance is to sweep away
good fortune so dust and dirt must always be swept inwards
and then carried out the back door. All debts must be paid
before the holiday and red clothing will bring the wearer
a sunny and bright future. Food, in vast quantities is an
important part of the celebration and we took home enough
of our excellent dinners to enjoy again the following day.
Jani’s serves both Chinese
and Japanese cuisine and offers a Sunday buffet for only
$8.95. They are located at 187 Cherry Street in Milford
and the telephone is 203-874-1199.
Jean Cherni
is founder of Senior Living Solutions, a retirement advisory
service. Contact her at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or
15 The Ponds, Branford 06405.
H. Pearce Company REALTORS®
is a full-service real estate company with more than 100
agents and branch offices in greater New Haven and the Shoreline.
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