Lucky Doors

You may be surprised to learn that today is the 30th day of the 12th month of the year 4603. This means that tomorrow will be 1/1/4604. So everyone except me is very busy. Chinese New Year is upon us again. The Year of the Pig.

My neighbours are busily cleaning their homes, hanging up door decorations (see below), preparing far too much food (one neighbour has cooked the biggest chicken I've ever seen, two large fish and right now is busily chopping something or other - there are only the three of them), stuffing money into red envelopes to give as gifts to the kids. stocking up on firecrackers to set off at midnight, etc.

The door decorations are more than merely decorative. They consist of 'couplets', one on either side of the door. These contain slogans suggesting that the occupants of the premises will be prosperous and lucky in the upcoming year. A similar shorter greeting is placed above the door. In the centre of door are often door gods to protect the premises. Alternatively, a large 'luck' character is hung - upside down to prevent the luck running away.

Here is one of my neighbours' doors, complete with couplets and door gods.

This neighbour is more than usually superstitious. In addition to her New Year decorations, which everyone has, she also has some other talisman. Just above the door, you may be able to see something hanging. Here is an enlargement. It is a compass, containing a mirror at the centre and a pair of scissors. This, I'm told, is to ward off evil. The scissors are to cut off bad luck and the mirror is to frighten away demons (who apparently terrify themselves even more than they do us). I've heard various explanations as to the usefulness of the compass in warding off the nasties. The only one which really made sense was that the geographical information provided may persuade said demons to go exploring and leave this abode alone. (No. I'm not convinced, either.)

Despite being officially athiest and despite denouncements of superstition by the Party, you come across stuff like this all the time. I'm always being told certain things are either good or bad luck.

I noticed recently that, in the last few months, a suspiciously high number of my female friends and aquaintances had married and become pregnant. I am advised by my advisor in such matters (Mrs LL) that this is 'family planning', Chinese style. Many people have timed their weddings and impregnations to ensure that their brats are born in the auspicious Pig Year.

As for me, I remain defiantly rational and have nothing to do with this nonsense. So, I just hope there aren't thirteen diners at the big family dinner tonight. I'll get back to you.

tags: china  guangxi  liuzhou  laowai  中国  广西  柳州  new year  spring festival  superstition  pig  mirror  scissors  compass  

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