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Chinese worldwide celebrated the Lunar Year of the Ox on Monday, 26th January 2009. The Spring Festival as it is sometimes called, can last for up to fifteen days until the ful moon on 9th February 2009.
Painting of A Hundred Children
Ancestral worship is the underlying principle of Chinese ethics. Therefore, the birth of a child, in particular a son that will carry on the family’s name, is regarded as an extremely fortunate event. As such, there are many customs and rituals to encourage child birth especially among couples who are yet childless, unable to conceive or who have no luck with male infants.
A typical Chinese Almanac
All ancient civilisations have their own slant of calendar record and almanacs in particular have been in existence since antiquity across the globe. The Chinese Almanac or “通胜”, is a book, or table, containing forecasts and outlook for the year.
With a one-child policy in effect for two generations, the Chinese have it tough when it comes to raising a family. Gender selection at conception and pregnancy stages has always been an important consideration to the Chinese family as it is only the Son, and not the daughter, that will eventually carries the family name.
The Chinese considered 3 stages of a man’s life ( birth, marriage and death ) as most important, as such there are numerous practices pertaining to each stage. At birth, a name will be bestowed to a child who will bear it for the rest of his life. As such, many details are taken into consideration when choosing a name. It is hoped that an auspicious name will smoothen the life path of the child by enhancing his hidden attributes and bring about good fortune.
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