Celebrate Chinese New Year and attract good fortune with these Feng Shui expert tips
Loud, fun, and teeming with beliefs and superstitions - the Chinese New Year is one of the most colorful occasions celebrated annually not just in China but in other parts of the world including here in the Philippines.
This year's Lunar New Year will happen on Friday, February 12.
It officially marks the beginning of the Year of the Metal Ox, a sign known for its diligence, dependability, strength, and determination.
Many are hoping that this year would be much better than last year and that we would regain a semblance of normalcy in our daily lives.
So as we prepare to welcome Chinese New Year, GMA Lifestyle ask Feng Shui expert Master Hanz Cua to share some tips so we could celebrate on a lucky note.
Wear red
Red is one of the lucky colors for 2021. The color red attracts good fortune and represents wealth, income, and prosperity.
Go for a red polka dot outfit if you have one in the closet. Polka dots symbolize money so it's a good outfit choice for the occasion.
Lights on
“Buksan natin lahat ng ilaw sa bahay,” Master Hanz suggests.
“Ang maliwanag na bahay nagre-represent po 'yan ng fire element so this will signify money luck.”
Likewise, broken lights must be replaced by new ones.
Clean and declutter
Do a thorough house cleaning before the Chinese New Year. It's also a good time to declutter and let go of stuff to free up more space.
Clean up the house's main door and cooking stove.
Make sure that sugar and salt containers, water bottles, LPG, and the cash box are all full.
“Para puno at umaapaw din ang pasok ng blessings sa atin,” Master Hanz explains.
“Palitan na natin ang kurtina. Bagong Taon, bagong kurtina or bagong palit puwede naman. 'Di naman kailangan bumili ng bago.”
Choose fire colors such as red, yellow, orange, or pink for the curtain.
“Palitan din ang punda o bed cover ng pink kung single ka and red 'pag married ka na.”
Home items
Display ox lucky charms in the living room to attract good luck. These charms can come in the form of figurines or images and are available in lucky charm stores and even online.
“Maglagay ng walong barya sa western part ng bahay to activate money luck,” Master Hanz recommends.
“Mag-display naman ng bulaklak sa eastern part ng bahay to enhance naman love luck.”
Food
Prepare 12 different fruits to represent prosperity throughout the 12 months of the year.
These fruits are apple (harmony), orange (money and prosperity), banana (family togetherness), watermelon (money), papaya (health), melon (wealth), pear (health), kiat kiat (money), grapes (luxury), pineapple (luck and fortune), and lemon or calamansi (to drive away bad luck).
Don't forget to serve pancit, spaghetti, or any noodle dish for long life.
“Hindi rin nawawala ang fish. Ang fish kasi in Chinese it signifies continuous flow of blessings and para every day may naiipon tayo,” Master Hanz explains.
Other food that can be put on the table are lechon for prosperity, pechay for continuous good fortune, dumplings for money, and cakes and sweets including tikoy for family togetherness.
“Kung gusto mo ma-enhance ang fertility mo maghanda ka ng mani o peanut. 'Pag gusto mo ng anak na lalaki maganda maghanda ng mga seeds like butong pakwang.”
More tips to mark the festivity
Chinese New Year is full of beliefs that are said to invite good luck all year round.
“Magsuot ng bagong underwear para suwerte,” Master Hanz advises.
He also recommends burning nine incense sticks to cleanse the house and its occupants of bad luck and misfortune.
“Magpagulong ng kiat kiat magmula pintuan. Magsaboy ng barya papasok ng bahay. Gawin nating maingay, masaya ang buong bahay.”
Now's the time to crank up the volume while listening to your favorite music. You can also use horns or bells to create loud noises to drive away bad luck.
“Bigyan ng angpao ang mga anak, apo o mga bata. Nagsisignify kasi 'yan na shinishare mo ang blessings sa next generation.”
Speaking of sharing, you can also mark the occasion by doing voluntary work or donating money especially to those who are in need.
“The whole family needs to be happy. Walang away na, makipag-ayos ka na. Ikaw na manghingi ng sorry,” says Master Hanz.
Gather the entire family to pray and to give thanks for all the blessings despite all the challenges from last year.
He also has advice for the lovesick or those hanging on to lost love.
“Ito importante ito, kalimutan na si ex! Itigil na ang pang iistalk kay ex. Mag move on ka na para mahanap mo na ang bagong love life.”
Don't forget to put coins inside your pockets on the day itself to encourage financial blessings.
“Isulat ang goal para sa 2021 at idikit sa pinto. Mag text ng good vibes sa social media at mag text sa lahat ng tao ng Happy Chinese New Year.”
He added, “May tinatawag tayo na wishing paper ritual. Itong wishing paper mabibili 'to sa mga lucky charm stores. Isusulat mo 'yong mga wish mo tapos susunugin on February 11 pagpasok ng Bagong Taon."
Master Hanz says in closing, “Ito ay patnubay lamang. Siyempre dagdagan natin nang sipag, tiyaga, determinasyon, prayers, at maging mabuti sa lahat para lalo pa tayong magtagumpay."